ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) comprises a deficit in behavioral inhibition. It is in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and there are three subtypes of the disorder; predominately inattentive, predominately hyperactive-impulsive, and combined types.

Anomalies
Deviations from typical physical or psychological development.

ARND
Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) is a term that attempted to address the non-specific nature of FAE. ARND has been widely used to describe the specific damage that prenatal alcohol exposure can have on the central nervous system.

Assessment
A process to determine the strengths and limitations of an individual. Assessments can include standardized physical and medical exams, formal and informal observation, and other measures designed to determine how someone functions at home, in a classroom, or in the community.

Bias
An unfair (unfounded) belief or thought generally related to prejudice.

Binge Drinking
Definitions of binge drinking vary slightly from research study to research study but is generally defined as five or more drinks on one occasion.

Burnout
A condition wherein a person is tired of their immediate relationships, job, living situation. Generally, when a person feels burnt out they experience many negative thought and feelings about themselves and others.

Central Nervous System
The central nervous system (CNS) is the largest part of the nervous system and is a network of specialized cells (neurons and glia). It is divided into two major parts: the brain and the spinal cord. The CNS communicates with the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). The nervous system is complex and uses complex arrangements of neurons and electrochemical signals to transmit information about an organism's environment and itself (through touch, sight, smell, hearing, and taste).

Cognition
The mental process or faculty of knowing, including aspects such as awareness, perceptions, reasoning, and judgment.

Culture
The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thoughts.

Development
A state of growing, changing, and mastering typical abilities in language usage, social/emotional regulation, physical skills, and self management.

Early Intervention
Early Intervention applies to children of school age or younger who are discovered to have or be at risk of developing a handicapping condition or other special need that may affect their development. Early intervention consists in the provision of services such children and their families for the purpose of lessening the effects of the condition. Early intervention can be remedial or preventive in nature - remediating existing developmental problems or preventing their occurrence. Early intervention may focus on the child alone or on the child and the family together. Early intervention programs may be center-based, home-based, hospital-based, or a combination. Services range from identification--that is, hospital or school screening and referral services--to diagnostic and direct intervention programs. Early intervention may begin at any time between birth and school age; however, there are many reasons for it to begin as early as possible (U.S. Department of Education).

Embryo
The developing human individual from the time of implantation to the end of the eighth week after conception.

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FAE
Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAE) is an outdated term used to describe individuals who experiences problems associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, but did not have enough of the outward signs to be eligible for the medical diagnosis of FAS.

FAS
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a medical diagnosis for a permanent condition caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.

Fetus
A developing human from usually two months after conception to birth.

Fraternal Twins
Siblings born at the same time as the result of fertilization of two ova by two sperm. They share the same genetic relationship to each other as any other siblings.

Functional deficits
Limitations in the ability to perform self-care, independent living, thinking, or language tasks generally expected of a person the same age and of the same culture.

Genetics
A branch of science (medical) having to do with principles of heredity. Transmission of physical or mental characteristics or qualities from parents to children through elements called genes in the chromosomes in the germ cells which produce offspring.

Gestation
The period of development in the uterus from conception until birth.

Growth deficiency
Growth deficiency refers to a child with deficiencies in weight and height as compared to age-related normals. This includes children whose weight and height are less than the 10th percentile or whose weight or height have decreased more than two major percentiles on their growth charts.

Hyperactivity
A condition wherein a person often: 1) fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat, 2) leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected, 3) runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness), 4) has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly, 5) is "on the go" or often acts as "driven by a motor," 6) talks excessively, 7) blurts out answers before questions have been completed, 8) has difficulty awaiting turn, and 9) often interrupts or intrudes on others (www.chadd.org).

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or x-ray. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue of joints, and the inside of bones. Also called magnetic resonance imaging or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). (National Cancer Institute)

Malformations
An abnormal construction of a part of the body or brain.

Maternal
Relating to or characteristics of the mother.

Meconium
Dark green fecal matter that accumulates during gestation. Because babies expel meconium at or near the time of birth, it can be tested to evaluate exposure to alcohol in utero.

Neurobehavioral Disorder
Neurobehavioral Disorder (alcohol exposed) (NDB) is a diagnostic classification in which patients present must present with prenatal alcohol exposure and mild central nervous system impairment with no evidence of structural or neurological abnormalities.

Neurobehavior
Behavior which has as its origin organic problems in the brain.

Neurochemistry
The study of the chemical composition and process of the nervous system and the effects of chemical on it.

Partial FAS
Partial FAS (P_FAS) is prenatal alcohol exposure affecting central nervous system (structural, neurological, and/or functional impairment) and characterized by some, but not all facial deficiencies of FAS.

Paternal
Relating to or characteristics of a father.

Perseveration
Uncontrollable repetition of a particular response, such as a word, phrase, gesture, or activity. Usually the person who is perseverating cannot stop the activity without help.

Phenotype
A group that has the same characteristics.

Philtrum
Vertical groove of the upper lip.

Placenta
The organ by which the fetus is attached to the wall of the uterus and nourished.

Prenatal
Before birth.

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Static Encephalopathy/Alcohol Exposed
Static Encephalopathy/Alcohol Exposed (SE/AE) is diagnosed in patients with prenatal alcohol exposure and central nervous system damage with significant functional abnormalities. Static refers to an unchanging condition; encephalopathy refers to the brain structure or function that is significantly abnormal.

Susceptibility
Vulnerability to a disease or other condition that can be genetically linked.

Teratogen
A drug, chemical, physical agent or environmental condition that results in permanent changes in a developing baby due to exposure during the pregnancy. Along with alcohol, examples would include thalidomide and German measles (rubella).

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