Common Disorders

This page will provide some useful information and links to other resources concerning common neuropsychological disorders that we work with at Triangle Neuropsychology Services.

Such information is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a tool to self-diagnose. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, please consult with your physician.

Dementia

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Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussions

Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Image

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Multiple Sclerosis
(MS)

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Parkinson’s
Disease

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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD)

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Learning
Disorders

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

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Epilepsy

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For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us.

Phone: 919-384-9682
Referral Fax Line: 919-384-9683

Email: info@triangleneuropsychology.com

Durham Office Location

3310 Croasdaile Drive,

Suite 400

Durham, NC 27705

M-Th 8AM – 4PM,

Fri 8AM – 12PM

USEFUL LINKS

Triangle Neuropsychology Services is proud to be a Partner in MS Care.

Dementia

While there are a variety of different memory disorders, dementia is a collective term used to describe the neurological symptoms that such memory disorders can cause. Dementia is characterized by decline in memory and difficulty in other types of thinking. Early diagnosis can be helpful in increasing the chances of being able to reverse, slow, or halt progression of the condition. Common symptoms include:

Loss of memory.
Difficulty performing or completing familiar tasks.
Using the wrong words or forgetting simple words.
Being disoriented about where you are in time or space.
Poor judgment or inability to follow through with basic life skills.
Putting things in the wrong places.
Changes in mood.
Personality changes.
Loss of initiative.

For additional information visit:
www.cdc.gov/aging/dementia/index.html
www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia
www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Dementia-Information-Page#disorders-r1

Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussions

Injuries to the brain may be caused by a severe blow to the head, a fall, a car accident or similar trauma. If there is a loss of consciousness or an altered mental state following such events, a brain injury may have occurred. Some symptoms include:

Dizziness
Disturbed sleep
Headaches
Irritability
Memory problems
Concentration and attention problems

For additional information visit:

www.biausa.org/
www.mayoclinic.com/health/traumatic-brain-injury/DS00552
http://www.bianc.net/

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, potentially debilitating disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is thought to be an autoimmune disease (one in which the immune system attacks components of your body as if they're foreign), affecting the protective coating of the nerve fibers. Symptoms and signs can vary depending on which nerve fibers are affected, but may include:

Forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating
Difficulty retrieving words
Problems with multitasking
Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, which typically occurs on one side of your body at a time or the bottom half of your body
Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement
Double vision or blurring of vision
Tingling or pain in parts of your body
Electric-shock sensations that occur with certain head movements
Tremor, lack of coordination or unsteady gait
Fatigue
Dizziness

For additional information visit:
www.nationalmssociety.com
www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Multiple-Sclerosis-Information-Page
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/multiple_sclerosis/conditions/

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is a brain disorder characterized by progressive decline in the ability to control movement, speech and related motor functions controlled by the nervous system. It often includes changes in mood, behavior, thinking and sensation ability. Early symptoms are sometimes confused with the early effects of aging. Symptoms vary widely but usually show up in one or more of the following:

Tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face
Rigidity, or stiffness of limbs and trunk,
Slowness of movement,
Postural instability or declines in balance and coordination,
Memory disorders in some patients

For additional information visit: www.parkinson.org www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Parkinsons-Disease-Information-Page/2865/organizations/1187 www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder that typically falls into two categories: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. It typically presents itself during childhood, but sometimes shows up later in life when the greater demands of adulthood (such as long-term planning, organization issues and deadlines) begin to challenge someone. ADHD is currently considered a persistent and chronic condition for which no medical cure is available. However, medication and therapy can treat symptoms. Symptoms may include:

Distractibility
Difficulty with concentration and focus
Short term memory loss
Procrastination
Problems organizing ideas and belongings
Tardiness

For additional information visit:
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350878

Learning Disorders

“Learning disorder” is a large categorical umbrella term for a wide variety of learning problems. Typically, learning disorders deal with information-processing problems that prevent a person from learning and mastering content and skills that they need for the future. This problem can manifest as a gap in expected academic performance. What a learning disorder is not is an issue with motivation or intelligence. Some common learning disorders affect skills in reading, written expression, math, and spelling. Certain observable signs of learning disorders are age specific, but some typical signs are:

Difficulty reading (e.g., slow, inaccurate, effortful) and/or understanding the meaning of what is read
An inability to blend sounds to make words or read unfamiliar words
Difficulty with spelling or written expression (e.g., weaker spelling or poor punctuation, grammar, or organization)
Reversing letters, numbers, or words at a developmentally inappropriate age (typically after 2nd-3rd grade)
Difficulty expressing thoughts out loud or converting thoughts to writing
Trouble following class lectures and discussions
Difficulties with organization and time management
Difficulty remembering instructions
Not understanding the concept of time
Difficulty differentiating right from left
Lacking coordination when completing tasks or moving

For additional information visit: www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/learning-disorder.html www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/learning-disorders/art-20046105 www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/signs

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism spectrum disorders are neurological and developmental in nature meaning that the condition is present from birth, and symptoms tend to develop within the first two years of life. ASD affects many aspects of communication, behavior, and learning. Common problems that many individuals with ASD experience are related to social, emotional, and communication skills. Fixation with certain topics, behaviors, and activities are also common in those with ASD. Individuals with ASD may repeat certain behaviors and resist change in their daily life. Other signs and symptoms include:

Making limited or inconsistent eye contact
Being unresponsive or slow to respond when others call their name
Difficulty maintaining conversation in a back and forth manner
Showing facial expressions, movements, or gestures that may not be appropriate for what is being said (e.g., laughing at inappropriate times)
Difficulty reading and processing other people’s facial expressions and nonverbal gestures
An unusual tone of voice that may sound “sing-songy” or flat
Difficulty understanding another person’s point of view and predict/understand others’ actions
Trouble adapting to changes in daily activities and routines
Difficulty interpreting sarcasm, nuances in social situations, or abstract and figurative concepts (e.g., idioms, metaphors)
Being more or less sensitive than other people to sensory stimuli such as light, noise, textures (e.g., clothes, food), or temperature

For additional information visit:
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder (neurological disorder) that is typically characterized by periods of seizures or unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness. Seizures are sudden surges of electrical activity in the brain. Seizure symptoms can look vastly different and vary widely. For example, some individuals may stare absently for a few seconds while having a seizure, and others may experience tonic contractions (i.e., flexion) or clonic movements (i.e., jerks) of their arms and legs. Typically, epilepsy is diagnosed after someone has had at least two seizures in which there were not clear underlying medical causes. While the main symptom of epilepsy is reoccurring seizures, other symptoms that may indicate epilepsy are:

A convulsion with no fever
Short blackouts and/or memory loss/confusion
Staring unprompted and unresponsive for a period of time
Intermittent fainting spells with loss of bowel or bladder control that may be followed by extreme fatigue and tiredness
Sudden stiffness or sudden falling for no identifiable reason
Sudden bouts of blinking or automatic movements without any clear reason/stimuli
Seeming temporarily dazed and unable to communicate
Repetitive movements that seem uncontrolled and involuntary (e.g., swallowing, smacking lips, wringing hands)
Fearfulness, panic, or anger for no identifiable reason
Uncontrollable jerking movements of arms and/or legs (this will appear as a cluster of rapid jerking movements in babies)
Temporary confusion and disorientation

For additional information visit: www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093 www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/about/index.htm

Triangle Neuropsychology Services provides evaluations for preschool children who are applying for Early Kindergarten Entry. As part of your 4-year-old’s application for early kindergarten entry, testing scores (including IQ and achievement testing completed by a licensed psychologist) must be submitted to your child’s school district. Your child will need to demonstrate aptitude and achievement scores at the 98th percentile or above to be considered for early kindergarten entry. The evaluation will consist of parent interview, in-person testing session including IQ and academic achievement assessments, verbal feedback to discuss the results, as well as written report of the results. Please contact our office at info@triangleneuropsychology.com for the fees for this service as insurance does not cover this Early Kindergarten Entry Evaluation.