Definitions of “disorders” and other terminology

Anemia

Anemia is a medical condition that occurs when a person does not have enough red blood cells. Red blood cells are important because they contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body’s muscles and organs. The body requires oxygen for energy. Therefore, when you are anemic, you may feel tired both mentally and physically.
www.anemia.com

Anxiety

Experts believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination of biological and environmental factors such as brain chemistry, life events, personality, and genetic predisposition. This makes an anxiety disorder much like other physical disorders, such as heart disease or diabetes.
http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/FocusOn/Children&Adolescents.asp

Asperger Syndrome

Asperger’s Disorder is a milder variant of Autistic Disorder. Both Asperger’s Disorder and Autistic Disorder are in fact subgroups of a larger diagnostic category. This larger category is called either Autistic Spectrum Disorders, mostly in European countries, or Pervasive Developmental Disorders (“PDD”), in the United States. In Asperger’s Disorder, affected individuals are characterized by social isolation and eccentric behavior in childhood. There are impairments in two-sided social interaction and non-verbal communication. Though grammatical, their speech is peculiar due to abnormalities of inflection and a repetitive pattern. Clumsiness is prominent both in their articulation and gross motor behavior. They usually have a circumscribed area of interest which usually leaves no space for more age appropriate, common interests. Some examples are cars, trains, French Literature, door knobs, hinges, cappuccino, meteorology, astronomy or history. The name “Asperger” comes from Hans Asperger, an Austrian physician who first described the syndrome in 1944. An excellent translation of Dr. Asperger’s original paper is provided by Dr. Uta Frith in her Autism and Asperger Syndrome.

Asthma

Asthma is characterized by inflammation of the air passages resulting in the temporary narrowing of the airways that transport air from the nose and mouth to the lungs. Asthma symptoms can be caused by allergens or irritants that are inhaled into the lungs, resulting in inflamed, clogged and constricted airways. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing tightness in the chest. In severe cases, asthma can be deadly.
http://www.aafa.org/

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a common disorder in adolescent children, with symptoms of inattention, and/or impulsiveness and hyperactivity. These symptoms should have been present before the age of seven, must be present in two or more different settings (school and home, for example), and should be causing some impairment in the child’s functioning, including causing difficulty in school, or in social situations. If your child has the symptoms of attention deficit disorder, but it isn’t causing any impairment in his functioning, then he doesn’t have ADHD.

There are three main types of attention deficit disorder, including the Predominantly Inattentive Type, in which children have six or more of the following symptoms:

Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace.
Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as schoolwork or homework.
Loses things necessary for tasks or activities, such as toys, school assignments, pencils, books or tools.
Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
Is forgetful in daily activities.
Other children have a Predominantly Hyperactive Type of ADHD, and have six or more of the following symptoms:
Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
Leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected.
Runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate.
Has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
Is often ‘on the go’ or often acts as if ‘driven by a motor’
Often talks excessively.
Blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
Has difficulty waiting turn.
Interrupts or intrudes on others.

Children may also have a Combined Type of ADHD, having six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity.

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/conditions/adhd.html

Credits: Kelly L. Killian