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ACHIEVEMENT TESTS

Tests designed to measure knowledge or skill attained through training in a specific subject or area. Achievement tests are usually

ACROCEPHALY

A disorder characterized by an exceptionally high skull and severe mental retardation. In one syndrome (Crouzon) these symptoms are associated

ACTIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY

A treatment procedure in which the patient is directed to make a graduated series of changes in his behavior. Active

ASYMPTOMATIC NEUROSYPHILIS

one form of neurosyphilis, whereby laboratory findings show abnormalities in the cerebrospinal fluid but the patient does not show symptoms

ATAXIC FEELING

a perception that the ability to coordinate muscular movement has been lost. The feeling may be psychogenic or caused by

ATMOSPHERIC PERSPECTIVE

a cue that aids in the accurate perception of depth and distance. Atmospheric perspective is the acquired or learned ability

ATTENDANCE

n. 1. the number of people present in a class, school, or at another educational function. 2. a record of

ATTENTIONAL DYSLEXIA

a form of dyslexia (see alexia) in which a person is able to read words but has difficulty identifying their

ATTITUDE CHANGE

any alteration in the strength or content of an attitude. This may result from active attempts by others to change

ATTRACTOR DYNAMICS

an approach to analyzing the interaction of goals, feedback, and the environment - especially in the evolution of a movement

ATYPICAL DISORDER

in the DSM-lll and earlier editions, a residual category that included unusual or uncharacteristic variations of the standard mental disorders.

AUDIBLE THOUGHT

a type of auditory hallucination in which one hears one's own thoughts or core beliefs - as if they were

AUDIT

n. in health administration, a formal evaluation or review of the health care services provided by an agency. See also

AUDITORY FILTER

the process responsible for the frequency and selectivity of the auditory system. Filters begin auditory processing in that some of

AUDITORY SPACE PERCEPTION

refers to the perceiver's perception of the direction and distance of a sound source. See also auditory localization.

AUSCULTATION

n. a diagnostic method in which the examiner, who is usually a doctor, listens for sounds within the body either

AUTISM

n. 1. a behavioral syndrome of neurological dysfunction characterized by impaired reciprocal social interactions, impaired verbal and nonverbal communication, impoverished

AUTOCRATIC

adj. 1. refers to a style that is dictatorial, high-handed, and undemocratic. 2. Also, in a more extreme form, means

AUTOMATED CLINICAL RECORDS

a computerized database used for the purposes of monitoring patient care, providing data for administrative decisions, and generally assisting the

AUTOMATIC THOUGHTS

1. instantaneous, habitual, and unconscious thoughts that may affect a person's mood and actions. Helping clients evaluate the utility and