E Definitions

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ear canal -- tube between the outer ear and the eardrum (see illustration)

eardrum -- another name for the tympanic membrane, which is the boundary between the
outer and middle ear that vibrates to sound (see illustration)

early abortion -- an abortion method similar to vacuum aspiration but performed as soon as a
positive pregnancy test is received, up to 8 weeks after the last menstrual period. A flexible tube is
inserted through the cervix without dilating it, and the contents of the uterus are sucked out.

early childhood education -- education in the early years of life; the field of study that deals
mainly with the learning and experiences children have from infancy through the primary years (up
to approximately 8 years old).

early basic forms stage -- the circle and oval are actually the first basic forms. It develops as
children recognize the simple circle in their scribbles and are able to repeat it.

early childhood educator -- a teacher at a preschool, day care, or early infant school program
(see illustration).

early childhood intervention programs -- preschool, daycare, and early infant school
programs that include children with developmental delays and their families.

early childhood special education -- The provision of customized services uniquely crafted to meet the individual needs of
youngsters with disabilities between birth and five years of age (see educator -------------------------------------->)

early childhood stage -- time from three to six years of age.

Early Head Start -- A federal program providing a variety of services to low-income families with infants and toddlers as well as
services for women who are pregnant.

early intervention -- The provision of essential services and instruction during the critical early infancy, toddler, and preschool years; the
delivery of a coordinated and comprehensive set of specialized services of infants and toddlers (birth through age 2) with developmental
delays or at risk conditions and their families. IDEA 2004 definition: "Developmental services that are provided under public supervision; are
provided at no cost except where Federal or State law provides for a system of payments by families, including a schedule of sliding fees; are
designed to meet the developmental needs of an infant or toddler with a disability, as defined by the individualized family service plan team;
and (then it goes on to describe at great length the things that are included ...)

early learning standards -- every state that funds pre-kindergarten programs has specified what children are expected to learn in those
programs.

early literacy -- the child's early entrance into the comprehensive world of words, language, books, poetry, and stories.

early pictorial (first drawings) stage -- the stage in art development when a child works on making and perfecting one or many symbols.

early word recognition skills -- word recognition skills include two levels of operation. The basic operation is the ability to decode the
written word. In other words, the beginning reader should be able to convert the written word into its corresponding speech sounds. The
second level of operation is commonly referred to as "sight word reading." Sight word reading is the ability to identify the written word quickly
and automatically without sounding out a word letter by letter.

earmold -- The part of an amplification device (hearing aid) that is fitted into the individual's ear (see illustration).

Earned Income Tax Credit -- A US government program established in the mid 1970s that provides individuals with a tax refund if the
amount of the tax credit exceeds the taxes that the worker owes.

ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) -- medical doctor who specializes in the functioning of the ears, nose, and throat and may be
called an otolaryngologist or otologist.

easing in -- a schedule of gradually increasing the amount of time a child spends in a classroom so the child does not spend a full period at
the beginning.

easy child -- a child whose temperament is characterized by establishment of regular routines in infancy, general cheerfulness, and easy
adaptation to new experiences.

eating disorders -- anorexia (self-starvation), bulimia (binge-eating/purging), pica (eating non-nutritive materials), rumination disorders.

eating disturbances -- mild versions of eating disorders

EBD -- see emotional behavior disorder

ECG -- see electrocardiogram

echocardiography -- an ultrasonic method of imaging the heart; can be used to detect congenital heart defects.

echodensities -- changes on ultrasound that reflect damage to brain tissue, seen in periventricular leukomalacia in premature infants.

echolalia -- Behavior of some individuals with disabilities in which they repeat words or phrases that have been uttered by someone else with
little or no understanding of their conventional meaning; characteristic of some children with delayed cognitive development, autism, or
communication disorders. Echolalia may occur immediately after hearing the word or phrase, or much later.

eclectic -- choosing what appears to be the best in various doctrines, methods, styles, comprising elements drawn from various sources.

ECMO -- see extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

ecocultural -- a term referring to cultural and environmental factors that influence family functioning, such as unemployment, the primary
language spoken in the home, the country of origin, traditions, parental illness, number of children in the home, and educational background.

E. coli -- bacteria that can cause infections ranging from diarrhea and urinary tract infections to sepsis. (Escherichia coli)
(see illustration).

ecological -- dealing with the relationship of the individual to the environment.

ecological assessment -- evaluation that considers all dimensions of the individual's environment.

ecological context -- sociocultural view of development that ranges from direct interactions with social agents to indirect impact of the
culture.

ecological functional curriculum -- a curriculum that stresses meaningful learning and considers the environments in which children live
and learn.

ecological inventories -- identify the sub-environments in which students function, the activities involved in them, and the skills needed in
them.

ecologically based approach to family services -- an approach in which services arise out of the perspective of viewing the family from its
center (the child) out through the family system and then the community.

ecological model -- Bronfenbrenner's model of the different spheres of influence for a child.

ecological perspective (ecological approach) -- viewpoint that incorporates the impact of environmental influences on the pattern of
human development; an approach in psychology that ascribes abnormal behavior more to the interaction of an individual with the environment
than to disease.

ecological pressure -- aspects of the environment that place pressure on the organism to change.

ecological systems theory -- Bronfenbrenner's approach, which views the child as developing within a complex system of relationships
affected by multiple levels of the environment, from immediate settings of family and school to broad cultural values and programs.

ecological view -- consideration of all aspects that influence a human being.

ecology -- the study of how all the organisms in a system relate to one another.

ecology of human development -- the study of the interaction between a growing organism and the changing immediate environment in
which it lives.

ecology of the family -- the concept of viewing the child in the context of his or her impact on the family and the family's impact on the child;
stresses the interrelationship of the various family members with one another.

economic -- the satisfaction of the material needs of people.

economic divorce -- one of Bohannan's six different but overlapping experiences of divorce, involves the division of money and property
and the establishment of two separate economic units.

economic maturity -- an individual's ability to support him- or herself and a partner.

ecosystems -- a community of interacting organisms and their physical environment; a term in Bronfenbrenner's theory.

ectoderm -- outer cell layer in the embryo (see illustration-------------------------->).

ectodermal dysplasia -- abnormal skin
development

ectodermal germ layer -- see ectoderm

ectopias -- congenital displacement of a
body organ or tissue.

ectopic pregnancy -- a pregnancy that
occurs outside the uterus, usually the
fallopian tube; cause is usually
multifactorial. (see illustration).

ectrodactyly -- congenital absence of all or
parts of digits (see illustration -------------------------------->>)

ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting (EEC)
syndrome -- ectrodactyly (split hands or feet), ectodermal
dysplasia (abnormal skin development), sparse hair, c left lip
and palate, lacrimal (tear) duct abnormalities, intelligence is not usually affected,
occasional renal or genital anomalies, hearing impairment, hypodontia
(underdeveloped teeth), lymphoma associated with EEC3 only. Caused by mutations in
p63 gene at 3q27 which cause EEC type 3; EEC type 1 has been linked to chromosome 7q21-q22; autosomal dominant.

eczema -- a common skin problem, often occurring in childhood, marked by an itchy inflammatory reddening, swelling,
bumps, and crusting (see illustration of sweet baby cheeks---------------------------------------------->>).

ED -- see emotionally disturbed.

EDC -- see estimated date of confinement.

EDD -- see estimated due date; also called estimated date of confinement.

edema -- an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the body (see illustration).

educable -- in referring to mental retardation, an IQ between about 55 to 75; second to fifth grade achievement in
school academic areas; social adjustment skills will result in independence with intermittent or limited support in the
community; partial or total self-support in a paid community job is a strong possibility.

educaring -- a concept of teaching as both educating and caregiving; coined by Magda Gerber in referring to people
working with infants and toddlers.

educational blindness -- disability in which the auditory and tactile senses are used for learning during the school years; often including
the use of Braille.

educational environments -- the educational settings in which children are placed for instruction.

educational gymnastics -- a child-oriented, natural progression of the exploration of fundamental movement skills that teaches body
management -- on the floor and with small and large apparatus -- and develops strength, stamina, and flexibility through exploration and
discovery. Educational gymnastics are not similar to Olympic gymnastics, where the student's ability to execute stunts determines success or
failure.

educational interpreter -- professional who translates spoken words into sign language for students who are deaf or significantly hard of
hearing.

educational neglect -- chronic failure to send a child to school.

educational placement -- the location or type of classroom program in which the child receives educational services.

educational self-fulfilling prophecy -- the idea that children may adopt teachers' positive or negative attitudes toward them and start to live
up to those views.

Education for All Handicapped Children's Act of 1975 -- see PL 94-142.

Education for All Handicapped Children Amendments of 1986 -- see PL 99-457, Part H, now referred to as Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Edwards syndrome -- see Trisomy 18 (see karyotype right there--------------------->).

EEC syndrome -- see ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome.

EEG -- see electroencephalogram.

effacement -- thinning of the cervix during the first stage of labor.

effect -- use this word instead of affect when: 1) If you are talking about a result (What effect did the loss have on
the team?); 2) If any of these words is used immediately before the word: into, no, take, the, any, an, or and (The
prescribed medication had no effect on the patient's symptoms.); 3) If you want to describe something that was
caused or brought about (The new manager effected some positive changes in the office.). Most of the time, effect
is a noun. Compare with affect.

effective motivation -- according to White, children's sense of being able to master the environment and their joy at this mastery. Together,
these two aspects of motivation promote competence.

effective strategy use -- consistent use of a mental strategy that leads to improvement in performance.

efferent -- impulse that goes to a nerve or muscle from the central nervous system.

effusion -- fluid escaping from blood vessels or lymphatics that collects in body cavities (e.g., a pleural, or lung, effusion).

effusive -- marked by the expression of great or excessive emotion or enthusiasm; pouring freely; characterized or formed by a nonexplosive
outpouring of lava.

egalitarian beliefs -- cultural beliefs that promote equality between men and women.

egg -- the female reproductive germ cell produced by the ovaries. Also called ovum.

ego -- the part of the psyche that is the source of reason and operates within the conditions and demands of the real world. According to
Freud, a rational, organized agency that distills gradually out of a passionate id that rubs up against reality. Emerging from an
undifferentiated mass of sensations (chiefly those emanating from the surface of the body), formed by identifications and abandoned id
cathexes, and strengthened by speech, which links auditory and visual memory traces with the conscious life, the ego strives to harmonize
inner and out, drives (which it keeps at bay mainly via repression, sublimation, and anticathexes), inhibition, and reality. Unlike Jung's
conception of ego, it is not entirely conscious, though it is the bearer of consciousness. Topographically, it extends down to the id. Jung: one
of three parts of the psyche, along with personal unconscious and collective unconscious. The ego is the conscious mind.

ego cathexes -- Freud: investments of libido into ego activities like ideas that the ego knows represent objects. You think about what you
want instead of blindly leaping for it because of the energy investment remaining with your thoughts.

egocentric -- Term Piaget used to describe a young child's inability to distinguish viewpoints of others from one's own; self-centered;
regarding the self as the center of all things.

egocentric speech -- Piaget's term for speech directed toward the self.

egocentrism -- preoperational child's inability to understand that others do not share his or her perspective (Piaget).

ego ideal -- what the child thinks is right or wrong. Freud: the sector of the superego that consists of internalized standards of what is
"good." Shoulds and oughts for Freud represent the higher human nature, whereas for most of us they represent the highest accomplishment
of Sunday School.

ego instincts -- Freud: an early concept denoting the ego's self-preservative drives (as opposed to the other-directed sexual drives). The
concept came about from the notion of conflicts between ego and sexuality. The duality of Eros and the death drive replaced this old duality.

egotism -- an excessive use of the first person singular personal pronoun; the practice of talking about oneself too much; an exaggerated
sense of self-importance.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome -- At least 10 different forms have been described. All include aspects of skin fragility, easy bruisability, joint
hyperextensibility, and hyperelastic skin. Types I and III are most commonly described and have similar clinical presentations with the
previously mentioned features; type IV is characterized by severe blood vessel involvement with risk of spontaneous arterial rupture; type Vi
is characterised by eye involvement, including corneal fragility; type VIII includes periodontal disease; type IX has bladder diverticula
(pouches or sacs in the bladder wall), and chronic diarrhea. Occasional intellectual disability, premature loss of teeth, mitral valve
prolapse, intestinal hernias, premature delivery from premature rupture of membranes, scoliosis, abnormalities of the thymus are
also seen. Caused by an abnormality in the formation in collagen. Types I and II are caused by mutations in the COL5A1 and A2 genes; type
III is caused by mutations in the COL3A1 gene as well as the tenascin XB gene (TNXB); type IV is caused by mutations in the COL3A1 gene;
mutations in the lysyl hydroxylase gene (PLOD) cause some cases of EDS VI; EDS VII may be caused by mutations in the COL1A1 and
COL1A2 ADAMTS2 gene. The genes for types V, VIII, IX, or X are yet to be identified. Types I, II, III, IV, VII, and VIII are autosomal dominant;
types VI and X are autosomal recessive; types V, VII, and IX are X-linked recessive.

eidetic -- marked by or involving extraordinarily accurate and vivid recall especially of visual images

EKG -- see electrocardiogram.

elaboration -- the act of expanding language; developing language by building complex structures from simple ones and adding details.
Creating a relationship, or a shared meaning, between two or more pieces of information that are not members of the same category. (Piaget)

elastic fibers -- a thick, yellow connective-tissue fiber composed primarily of elastin (a protein found in the skin and tissue of the body
that helps keep skin flexible but tight) and characterized by great elasticity; elastic connective tissue

ELBW -- see extremely low birth weight.

elder abuse -- acts of aggression against the elderly -- physical assaults, emotional humiliation, verbal abuse, financial exploitation, isolation
from friends

elder neglect -- consists of acts of omission in the care and treatment of the elderly.

elective abortion -- see induced abortion

elective mutism -- refraining from speaking that is not the result of physical problems with the muscles or organs of speech production and is
believed to be due to emotional causes. See Selective Mutism.

Electra complex -- in Freudian theory, the group of feelings and unconscious desires that occurs in females during
the development of the superego, when daughters experience uncomfortable feelings toward their fathers. The
female equivalent of the male Oedipal Complex. A chief difference is that the girl isn't required to shift her
identification from her mother to her father. Also, because of penis envy, she wants to have a baby with her father;
this desire later gets acted out by her choice of a fatherly man to have a baby with. The term "Electra complex" may
have been proposed by Jung.

electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) -- a diagnostic tool that measures and records the electrical activity of the heart in
exquisite detail. Interpretation may reveal a wide range of heart conditions. (see illustration).

electroencephalogram (EEG) -- a procedure that measures electrical potentials on the scalp to produce an analysis of
brain activity. Most commonly, it is used to show the location and activity of the brain during a seizure. It is also used to
evaluate problems with brain function, such as confusion, coma, tumors, trouble with thinking or memory, stroke, and may
be used to determine brain death.

electrolarynx -- a vibrator/amplifier that permits the production of artificial speech sounds in an individual whose larynx
is blocked by a tracheostomy tube or has been removed because of cancer (see illustration).

electrolyte -- mineral contained in the blood.

electromyography -- a technique for measuring muscle activity and function.

electron -- an elementary particle consisting of a charge of negative electricity.

electronic travel aid -- portable devices that emit sonar and laser signals that are reflected back to the user during travel, and are
converted to auditory and/or tactile signals. They are hand held, or chest, head, wheelchair, or cane mounted, and provide supplementary
information during travel (walking or rolling).

electroretinogram (ERG) -- a graphic record of the electrical activity of the retinas.

elegiac -- of, relating to, or consisting of two dactylic hexameter lines the second of which lacks the arsis in the third and sixth feet; of, relating
to, or comprising elegy or an elegy.

element -- a pure chemical substance consisting of one type of atom distinguished by its atomic number, which indicates the number of
protons in its nucleus. In total, 118 elements have been observed as of March 2010, of which 92 occur naturally on earth. See table at end
of E definitions and see table HERE.

elements of movement -- describe how a movement is performed. If we liken movement education to the study of grammar, the skills
themselves can be considered verbs, while the six movement elements (space, shape, time, force, flow, and rhythm) are the adverbs
modifying them.

elevate -- to raise to a higher position.

eligibility -- A comprehensive diagnostic process to determine if a child meets the criteria to be eligible for special services. This is the
second step in the assessment process (screening, eligibility, program planning).

elimination disorders -- disorders that concern the elimination of feces or urine from the body. The causes of these disorders may be
medial or psychiatric. Elimination disorders may be caused by a physical condition, a side effect of a drug, or a psychiatric disorder. It is
much more common for an elimination disorder to be caused by medical conditions than psychiatric conditions. In most cases in which the
cause is medical, soiling is unintentional. When the causes are psychiatric, the soiling may also be unintentional, but it may also be intentional.

ellipsis -- the omission of one or more words that are obviously understood but that must be supplied to make a construction grammatically
complete; a sudden leap from one topic to another; the mark [...] which indicates an omission of words or a pause.

Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (Chondroectodermal dysplasia) -- disproportionately short stature (final height, 43 -- 60 inches),
small thorax, extra fingers, neonatal teeth, missing teeth, delayed eruption of teeth, underdeveloped fingernails, heart defect,
occasional mental retardation. Cause is unknown, autosomal recessive. Associated complications are severe cardiorespiratory
problems in infancy, which can be fatal; hydrocephalus; severe leg deformities; in the 66% that survive the first 6 months of life,
mental retardation has been seen occasionally, though majority normal intelligence. Prenatal diagnosis possible with ultrasound
and/or fetoscopy. Incidence: rare, recurrence risk to patient's siblings, 25% (see beautiful baby who has this disorder).

elope -- to run away and be married somewhere away from the partners' families.

eloquent cortex -- the area of the cortex involved in the production of speech.

emancipated minor -- a teenager who is free of parental control for giving informed consent to any medical treatment. Status is based
on legal statutes that vary among states but use relatively objective criteria (e.g., marriage, pregnancy, parenthood, independent living,
military service, high school graduation, parents have surrendered their parental rights).

emancipation -- a type of cohabiting relationship based on the desire to break free of parental values and influence rather than on love.

embedded learning opportunities (EMO) -- The intentional incorporation of specific learning objectives into play and routine classroom
activities.

embedding -- a process in which children add clauses internally
to sentences (develops at 4 to 13 years of age).

embolism -- the obstruction of a blood vessel by a foreign
substance or blood clot. Foreign substances that can cause
embolism include an air bubble, amniotic fluid, a globule of fat,
a clump of bacteria, chemicals, and drugs.

embryo -- the prenatal organism from 2 to 8 weeks after
conception, during which time the foundation of all body
structures and internal organs are laid down (see illustration).

embryogenesis -- up until full term at 37--40 weeks' human
gestation. The major organs become larger and more complex
as they begin to differentiate and establish physiologic function.

embryo loss -- Pregnancy loss during the embryonic stage of
development which, in humans, comprises the second through
eighth week after fertilization.

embryonic disk -- a small cluster of cells on the inside of the
blastocyst, from which the new organism will develop (see
illustration below embryo picture).

embryonic stage -- the second stage of prenatal
development, which begins at implantation and lasts until
about 8 weeks.

embryopathy -- any anomaly occurring in the embryo or fetus as a result of interference with normal intrauterine
development.

embryotic period -- the first 8 weeks of pregnancy.

embryo transfer -- fertilization procedure whereby the sperm of a male partner of an infertile woman is placed in
another woman's uterus during ovulation. Five days later, the embryo is transferred to the uterus of the infertile
woman, who carries the embryo and delivers the baby.

emergency contact -- the person or persons to notify in case of emergency.

emergency safety plan -- an emergency plan for leaving or getting help for domestic violence victims of any age
who may be abused by, or afraid of, their spouse or partner, girlfriend or boyfriend, adult child, or other family
member. Safety planning helps develop tools in advance of potentially dangerous situations. For a safety plan, go HERE.

emergent curriculum -- a process for curriculum planning that draws on teachers' observations and children's interests. Plans emerge from
daily life interests and issues. This approach takes advantage of the children's spontaneity and teachers' planning.

emergent literacy -- The diverse skills that help children become successful in reading, writing, and other academic tasks. A child's active
efforts to construct literacy knowledge through informal experiences with such things as storybooks, calendars, lists, environmental print, etc.

emergent reading -- see pretend reading

emic perspective -- the analysis of a society from the inside.

eminence -- adult achievement of a high level in a particular field after years of productivity.

emotional abuse -- A type of child maltreatment distinguished by caregiver actions that are designed to be psychologically harmful to the
youngster. Physical or emotional assaults (such as torture and close confinement) that cause or could cause serious psychological injury.
Tennessee definition: verbal assaults, ignoring and indifference or constant family conflict. If a child is degraded enough, the child will begin
to live up tot he image communicated by the abusing parent or caretaker.

emotional abuse (adult) -- includes verbal and psychological abuse -- intimidation, inducing fear, playing mind games, secretiveness,
verbal threats, name calling, yelling, sarcasm or criticism, degrading, brainwashing, overly expressing jealousy, lying, falsely accusing,
withholding sex, accusations, fault-finding, double standards, threats of hurting children or friends or family or pets, etc. It is not limited to the
behaviors listed here.

emotional and behavior disorders (EBD) -- term preferred by professionals to describe emotional disabilities.

emotional autonomy -- the ability to understand oneself as a person who is emotionally distinct from one's parents.

emotional behavior disorder (EBD) -- see emotional disturbance.

emotional disorders -- term preferred by professionals to describe emotional disturbances; see behavioral disorders.

emotional disturbance -- The inability to maintain satisfactory relationships with peers that interferes with educational performance for an
extended length of time; one of the categories of IDEA; includes lack of control, difficulty in interpersonal relationships, depression, lack of
contact with reality, and unexplained physical problems. The IDEA definition of emotional disturbance or emotional disorder or
behavioral disorder is a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree,
which adversely affects educational performance: an inability to learn which cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors; an
inability to build or maintain satisfactory relationships with peers or teachers; inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal
circumstances; a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or a tendency to develop symptoms or fears associated with
personal and school problems. This term does not include children who are socially maladjusted, unless it is determined that they are
seriously emotionally disturbed. See behavioral disorders.

emotional divorce -- one of Bohannan's six different but overlapping experiences of divorce; involves the deterioration of the marriage and
the breakdown of bonding and communication, which are replaced by feelings of alienation.

emotional framework -- the basic "feeling" structure of a classroom that determines the tone and underlying sensibilities that affect how
people feel and behave in a class.

emotional intelligence -- type of intelligence that motivates oneself, persists in frustration, controls impulses, delays gratification, and
empathizes with others.

emotional intensity -- capacity to focus emotions for long periods on a single subject or idea.

emotionally disturbed (ED) -- the inability to maintain satisfactory relationships with peers that interferes with educational performance for
an extended length of time.

emotional liability -- a common characteristic in a child with a learning disability. The child may be moody, isolated or rejected by peers.
He may have low self-esteem, and is more likely to violate social norms. He may exhibit inappropriate ways of getting attention, elicit more
negative reactions from others, and be lacking in social cognition skills. Also he may have difficulty with reading nonverbal social cues and with
motivation. He may be a passive, rather than active, learner.

emotional maturity -- an individual's ability to respond appropriately to a full range of situations.

emotional maltreatment -- psychological damage from blaming, belittling, or rejecting a child

emotional neglect -- failure to provide the emotional nurturing and physical and cognitive stimulation needed to prevent serious
developmental deficits. Also called developmental deprivation.

emotions -- the feelings of affective component of human behavior; also called affect.

emotional security -- quality of an enduring, close emotional relationship

emotional self-regulation -- the ability to control one's own expression of emotions.

emotional violence -- also called emotional abuse, verbal and psychological abuse that inflicts or threatens to inflict emotional distress.

emotion centered coping -- an approach to coping with stress that is internal, private, and aimed at controlling negative emotion when little
can be done about an outcome.

emotion focused coping strategies -- efforts to manage or reduce the emotional distress that is aroused in a stressful situation.

emotion regulation -- ability to alter emotional responses to a situation.

emotion work -- an intense process of evaluating a relationship and then controlling one's feelings about the relationships.

empathic -- identifying with feelings of another.

empathy -- a sympathetic response to the thoughts and feelings of another person. Empathy differs from sympathy in the ability to feel as
the other person feels. Rogers: the ability to feel what the client feels.

empirical -- Information based on observation and/or experimentation.

empirically based -- based on observation and experimentation

empiricism -- the practice of relying on observation and experiment especially in the natural sciences; a theory that all
knowledge originates in experience; a tenet arrived at empirically.

employer sponsored child care -- child care supported in some way by the parents' employers. Support may be financial (as an employee
benefit or subsidy) or physical (offering on-site care).

employment -- according to the American with Disabilities Act (ADA, PL 101-336, 1990), employers may not discriminate against people
with disabilities in any employment practices, including job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, training, and
other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Applies to any business with 15 or more employees.

empowering families -- encouraging and enabling families to take an active role in decisions affecting their child's welfare. They have an
important role in decision making and their competencies are valued.

empowerment -- The process of applying strategies whereby individuals gain a sense of control over their future as a result of their own
efforts and activities.

empty calories -- Refers to foods in which there is high caloric content and low nutritional value.

empty love -- a type of love relationship involving commitment but no passion or intimacy.

empty nest syndrome -- feelings of malaise, emptiness, and lack of purpose that some parents experience when their
last child leaves home.

enabler -- a person, often a spouse, whose actions permit an alcoholic to continue to drink; also called a co-dependent.

enabling environment -- Environment that supports a child's optimal development.

enabling families -- the help-giver creates opportunities for competencies to be acquired or displayed by families,
which leads to their empowerment.

enactive mode of representation -- a stage in Bruner's theory of intellectual growth that is characterized by action.

enamel -- the calcified outer layer of the tooth (see illustration-------------------------------------------->).

encephalitis -- inflammation or infection of the brain, usually viral in origin, that may damage the central nervous system. Can
cause deaf-blindness. The cause of encephalitis is usually multifactorial. (see illustration)

encephalocele -- congenital cystic malformation of the brain associated with severe disabilities
(see illustration).

encephalopathy -- an acute or chronic disturbance of brain function. If caused by an infection, it
is called encephalitis.

encode -- the conversion of information into a system capable of being conveyed in a communication channel.

encoding information -- attending to and forming internal relationships of certain features of the environment.

encopresis -- an elimination disorder that involves repeatedly having bowel movements in inappropriate places after the age when bowel
control is normally expected. Also called fecal incontinence.

enculturated lens theory -- an explanation of the acquisition of gender which proposes that individuals view the world through lenses, or
assumptions, especially a belief that males and females are fundamentally different, and males are superior.

enculturation -- Maslow: social pressures to be "well-adjusted" or to "fit in."

endangerment standard -- a standard used in defining child abuse and neglect that includes situations in which children are not yet
harmed by maltreatment but have experienced maltreatment that puts them in danger of being harmed.

endocardial cushion defect -- any cardiac defect resulting from the failure of thickened tissue sections – the endocardial cushions – in
the embryonic heart to fuse and form the atrial septum.

endocardium -- the inner lining of the heart.

endocarditis -- inflammation of the lining of the heart.

endochondral ossification -- formation of bone from cartilage.

endocrine (glands) -- refers to glands within the body that produce and secrete substances called hormones directly into the bloodstream.

endocrine abnormalities -- children with Down syndrome have an increased risk of developing hypothyroidism, and are at great risk for
obesity.

endoderm -- the inner cell layer of the embryo.

endogamy -- the practice of choosing a mate from within one's own ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, or general age group.

endogenous smile -- smile that is triggered by changes in nervous system activity and involves
only the lower face muscles.

endometrial tissue -- the tissue lining the uterus that is sloughed off during a woman's menstrual
period.

endometriosis -- abnormality of the uterus in which some cells of the inner lining grow in the
pelvic and abdominal cavities (see illustration------------------------------------------------------------->).

endoplasmic reticulum -- an organelle in an eukaryotic cell that forms an interconnected
network of tubules, vesicles, and cisternae within the cells. The endoplasmic riticulum
synthesizes proteins, lipids, and steroids; metabolize carbohydrates and steroids, regulates calcium
concentration, drug detoxification, and attachment of receptors on cell membrane proteins.

endopsychic conflict -- Freud: the opposition of a cathexis by an anti-cathexis (or: being torn
between a desire to satisfy a wish and a fear of doing so). Two types: id-ego conflicts and superego-
ego conflicts.

endorphins -- the body's natural opiates, probably involved in the perception of pain and pleasure. It is produced in the pituitary gland.
Endorphins protect against excessive pain and is released with ACTH and enkephalins into the brain.

endoscopy -- a procedure in which a viewing tube is inserted into the body.

energy -- power to perform work.

enervate -- lacking physical, mental, or moral vigor.

engagement -- Consistent, active involvement with the people (i.e., teachers, parents, classmates), activities (i.e., snack time, play time,
group time participation, center selecton/participation), and materials (i.e., use of toys, art supplies, water play materials), through the child's
day.

engagement, parental -- the amount of time parents spend in one-on-one interaction with a child.

English as a second language (ESL) -- practice of directly teaching English to individuals who speak another language.

English language learners (ELL) -- students who are learning English as a second language.

enjoin -- to direct or impose by authoritative order or with urgent admonition; forbid, prohibit; to prohibit by judicial
order; command

enjoyable time together -- one of the six major qualities commonly found in emotionally healthy families, identified by researchers working
within the family strengths framework.

enkephalin -- this morphine-like substance consists of five opiate-type amino acids. Released into the brain with ACTH and endorphins to
combat pain.

enlightenment -- in Buddhism, the state a person reaches after following an eightfold path of correct attitudes, ethical behavior, and
meditation.

ennui -- a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction

ENRICH -- a comprehensive marital inventory containing 125 questions in categories that are relevant to married couples and their
satisfaction with their relationship. ENRICH stands for ENriching Relationship Issues, Communication, and Happiness.

enriched -- adding nutrients to grain products to replace those lose during refinement; thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, and iron are nutrients
most commonly added.

enrichment -- extending normal curriculum with different examples and associations that build complex ideas on the basis of the general
curriculum.

enrichment programs -- educational programs that encourage problem solving and creative activities through independent study or
individualized instruction and mentoring.

enshrinement -- the result of focusing only on the positive memories of a deceased loved one, the term
for excessively building emotional memorials to the deceased.

ENT -- see ear, nose, and throat specialist

enteral nutrition -- feeding directly into the stomach through the nose or mouth to ensure that nutrition
requirements are met (see illustration ------------------------------------------------------------>).

enterovirus -- virus that causes gastroenteritis (i.e., infection of the stomach and small intestine).

entitlement -- one's attitudes about what he or she feels he or she has a right to expect.

entry level -- the level of development or behavior that a child shows on beginning a program or group
experience; usually an observation-based informal assessment after the first few weeks of school.

enuresis -- more commonly called bed-wetting, an elimination disorder that involves release of urine
into bedding, clothing, or other inappropriate places. Enuresis can occur during the day (diurnal) or at
night (nocturnal). It may be voluntary or involuntary. Encopresis and enuresis may occur together,
although they mostly do not.

environmental arrangements -- Any changes in the environment that are used to facilitate child engagement such as altering the physical
space, selection and use of materials, and altering the structure of an activity.

environment -- all those conditions that affect children's surroundings and the people in them; the physical, interpersonal, and temporal
aspects of an early childhood setting.

environmental -- forces that are not innate or hereditary aspects of development; in early childhood terms, environmental aspects of growth
are all those influences of physical conditions, interpersonal relationships, and world experiences that interact with a person to change the way
he or she behaves, feels, and lives.

environmental arrangements -- any changes in the environment that are used to facilitate child engagement such as altering the physical
space, selection and use of materials, and altering the structure of an activity.

environmental factors -- a possible cause of learning disabilities; this refers to dietary inadequacies, food additives, radiation stress,
fluorescent lighting, unshielded television tubes, drinking, drug consumption, inappropriate school instruction, irradiation, lead ingestion,
maternal smoking, illicit drugs, family stress ... on and on ...

environmental hazards -- chance for risk resulting from environmental conditions.

environmental influences -- factors from a person's experiences that contribute to behavior.

environmentalist -- person who believes that behavior is based primarily on a person's environment and
learning experience.

environmental print -- the signs and labels that appear on everyday objects in homes, media, and the
neighborhood (SEE???---------------------------------------------------------->)

environmental risk -- conditions in an environment that may inhibit the normal growth and development of a child. Children from families with
low income in which the parent is unable to perform essential parenting functions consistently may experience environmental risk.

environmental supports -- changes to students' surroundings that help them function successfully.

enzyme -- Complex protein that produces specific biological-chemical reactions in the body.

Enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT) -- a laboratory test performed on blood or urine to detect the recent use of cocaine or
other abused substances.

eosinophils -- a type of leukocyte (white blood cell) that accumulates wherever allergic reactions take place. Their natural role is to
defend against parasites. In normal blood, eosinophils amount to about 0% to 3% of the white blood cells.

ephemeral -- lasting one day only; lasting a very short time

epicanthal folds -- a vertical fold of skin over the angle of the inner corner of the eye (see illustration).

epics -- long, narrative poem that tells of the deeds of a hero or heroes.

epicure -- one with sensitive and discriminating tastes, especially in food or wine; one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking; one devoted
to sensual pleasure

epidemic -- affecting or tending to affect a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the
same time.

epidemiological -- pertaining to the study of factors determining the frequency and distribution of diseases -- for example an outbreak of
food poisoning.

epidermolysis bullosa -- a rare genetic disorder characterized by extremely fragile skin and recurrent blister formation, resulting from minor
mechanical friction or trauma. Symptoms can be: a hoarse cry, cough, or other respiratory difficulty; alopecia; blistering around the eyes and
nose; blistering in or around the mouth and throat, causing feeding and swallowing difficulty; blistering of the skin as a result of minor trauma
or temperature change; blistering present at birth; dental abnormalities; milia (tiny white bumps or pimples); nail loss or deformed nails. Cause
seems to be inherited, and depends on the type.

epidural anesthesia -- a common method for controlling the pain of labor, in which a local anesthetic is delivered to
block pain in the region of the waist to the feet (see illustration).

epidural hematoma -- localized collections of clotted blood lying between the skull and the other
(dural) membrane of the brain, resulting from the hemorrhage of a blood vessel resting in the dura.
This most commonly results from traumatic brain injury (see illustration).

epigenesis -- development of the individual resulting from ongoing, bidirectional exchanges between
heredity and all levels of the environment.

epigenetic -- a term coined by Waddington (1977) to describe the development of a differentiated organism from a fertilized ovum. The
developing embryo proceeds along a number of possible developmental pathways depending on environmental conditions. Epigenesis may
be contrasted with a homuncular (from homunculus or little man) model of development in which all the stages of development are already
pre-formed. Bowlby applied this distinction to psychological development, and contrasted his own approach in which there are many possible
pathways which an individual may take through infancy depending on their caregivers, with the classical Freudian approach which sees
development in terms of a number of fixed stages through which a person must pass, irrespective of environmental influence. He felt that his
approach was more consistent with modern biological thinking, and allowed for a more subtle view of the complexity of interaction between an
individual and their environment. Thus, "anxious" attachment, rather than being a stage, like the so-called "oral stage" of development,
becomes a possible epigenetic compromise between a child's attachment needs and a parent who is unable to fully meet them. Like
Klein's "positions", but unlike Freud's "stages", Bowlby's attachment patterns persist throughout life, unless modified by good experiences
(which could include successful therapy).

epiglottis -- a lidlike structure that hangs over the entrance to the windpipe and prevents aspiration of food or liquid into
the lungs during swallowing (see illustration).

epilepsy -- a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by recurrent seizures. Clusters of nerve cells, or
neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior; also
convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. The cause of epilepsy is sometimes unknown, caused by an
illness or disorder, may be teratogenic, also abuse or brain injury. Epilepsy is one of the associated complications
of autism; this is reported in about 1/4 of all people with autism; and t here is an increased likelihood of having an
abnormal EEG (electroencephalogram) without seizures. See seizures or seizure disorder.

epinephrine -- see adrenaline

epiphany -- Maslow: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something,
usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace experience. Maslow also called this "peak experience."

epiphora -- an overflow of tears resulting from obstruction of the lacrimal ducts of the eye.

epiphyses -- growth centers in the bones where new cartilage cells are produced and gradually harden. They are located
at the ends of the long bones of the body, at each end. As growth continues, they get thinner and then disappear when
the bones are fully grown. Epiphyses are the best indication of a child's physical age, measured by x-ray. (see
illustration).

epiphyseal line -- a plate or plane on a long bone, visible as a line, marking the junction
of the epiphysis and the diaphysis.

episiotomy -- a surgical incision from the vagina toward the anus, performed to prevent
tearing of the perineum during childbirth (see illustration).

episodic condition -- medical disorder that periodically occurs with intensity but that at
other times is dormant; an example of an episodic condition is asthma.

episodic memory -- memory for everyday experiences.

epithelial tissue -- pertaining to the skin; specialized cells that form the skin and mucus linings of all body cavities such as the lungs, nose,
and throat; epithelium; epithelial cells

equal-distribution states -- eight US states in which the property acquired by either spouse during the marriage (except gifts from third
parties) belongs equally to the husband or wife.

equalitarian group -- structured on the ideals of democracy, a group believing that the rights and perspectives of both sexes and of all
generations ought to be respected. The societal norms of the United States are considered to be equalitarian.

equalitarian roles -- social equality between the sexes; equal sharing of practical responsibilities and decision making by men and women.
Also called egalitarian roles.

equality -- situation in which partners have equal status and are equally responsible for domestic, financial, and emotional tasks. As far as
distributive justice is concerned, younger children are intent that each person gets the same amount of a treasured resource, such as money,
turns in a game, or a delicious treat.

equal protection under the law -- In actions by the government, an individual should enjoy the same rights and receive the same benefits
or burdens as all other citizens unless there is a valid reason why the person should not.

equilibration -- to balance equally; in Piaget's theory, the thinking process by which a person "makes sense" and puts
into balance new information with what is already known.

equilibrium -- a sensory system located in the structures of the inner ear that registers the orientation of the head.

equinus -- involuntary extension of the foot. This position is often found in spastic cerebral palsy (see illustration).

equitable-distribution states -- US states in which the court determines a fair and reasonable distribution that may
be more than or less than 50% of any asset to either of the divorcing parties.

equity -- partners give in proportion to what they receive.

ERG -- see electroretinogram.

erogenous zones -- Freud: (also called Erotogenic Zones); those areas of the body most liable to sexual stimulation,
mainly the mouth, anus, penis, although Freud regarded the entire body as an erogenous zone.

eros -- According to sociologist John Alan Lee's theory of the origin of love, one of six basic styles of loving; the love of beauty,
characterized by intense emotional attachment and powerful sexual feelings. Freud: one of the two basic sources of all the drives. Eros,
whose name comes from the Greek god of love, is the principle of life; it binds together and is most clearly seen in love. Its drives tend to be
more plastic and displaceable that those of its opponent, Thanatos, the death drive. Freud saw psychic life as an interplay between these
two ever-interpenetrating forces, Life and Death.

erotogenicity -- Freud: the activity of a bodily area that conveys sexually exciting stimuli to the mind.

errorless learning -- refers to a procedure that presents the discriminative stimuli and arranges the delivery of prompts in a learning
situation in such a way to ensure that the student gives only correct responses.

erudite -- possessing or displaying erudition: learned.

erysipelas -- an acute streptococcus bacterial infection of the skin, most common among the elderly, infants, and children. People with
immune deficiency, diabetes, alcoholism, skin ulceration, fungal infections, and impaired lymphatic drainage are at increased risk.

erythroblasts -- any of the nucleated cells normally found in bone marrow that develop into red blood cells.

erythrocytes -- see red blood cells.

erythrocytosis -- an abnormal increase in the number of circulating red blood cells.

erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) -- a rare, largely autosomal dominant condition (sometimes autosomal recessive) that is part of
the seven conditions known as porphyrias that hamper the body's ability to synthesize heme, a molecule that   delivers oxygen to the body.
People with EPP are extremely sensitive to sun-light.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) -- bacteria that can cause infections ranging from diarrhea to urinary tract infections to sepsis (see
illustration-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->>).

esophageal atresia -- a congenital defect in which there is a stricture in the esophagus preventing food from entering
the stomach (see illustration).

esophageal dysmotility -- a disorder of the esophagus in which the muscles fail to transport food from the mouth to the
stomach efficiently. Symptoms are chest pain, pain when swallowing, or the feeling of a permanent lump in the throat. Some
esophageal dysmotility disorders are spastic esophageal motility disorder, acid reflux (result), achalasia, scleroderma,
cancer (result).

esophageal reflux -- see gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

esophageal spasm -- abnormal contractions of the muscles in the esophagus. These spasms do not move food
effectively to the stomach. Symptoms are difficulty swallowing, heartburn, and pain in the chest or upper abdomen.

esophageal transport stage -- phase of swallowing in which the rhythmic contraction of esophageal muscles transports food from the
pharynx to the stomach.

esophagus -- tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach (see illustration).

esoteric -- designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone; requiring or exhibiting knowledge
that is restricted to a small group; difficult to understand; limited to a small circle; private, confidential; of
special, rare, or unusual interest

esotropia -- a form of strabismus that causes the eyes to be pulled inward toward the nose (see illustration).

essential amino acids -- amino acids that can only be obtained from protein
food sources.

essential learnings -- what each state specifies as expectations for students'
learning in kindergarten through high school.

essential nutrient -- nutrient that must be provided in food because it cannot
be synthesized by the body at a rate sufficient to meet the body's needs.

Essure procedure -- female nonsurgical sterilization procedure that involves
a physician inserting a tiny metal implant into the fallopian tube using a thin
tube that passes through the vagina and the uterus. Once the tube (catheter)
is removed, the implant expands, and scar tissue grows around it, completely
blocking the tube.

established risk -- A child with a diagnosed medical disorder of known
etiology and predictable prognosis or outcome.

esteem needs -- Maslow: the fourth level in Maslow's hierarchy of needs: in this level, there are two stages: the lower level (the need for
respect of others, status, fame, glory, recognition, attention, reputation, dignity, appreciation, dominance) and the higher level (self-esteem,
confidence, competence, achievement, mastery, independence, freedom).

estimated date of confinement (EDC) -- expected date of delivery (of an infant).

estrogen -- although often called the female hormone, any of a group of hormones, produced primarily by the ovaries, that are significant
in controlling female physiological functions and directing the development of female secondary sex characteristics at puberty.

ethical dilemmas -- situations that arise in which there are questions about not only what the law requires in a given situation but what is the
right thing to do under certain circumstances.

ethical standards -- accepted professional guidelines for conduct.

ethics -- the moral principles and practices under which an individual operates.

ethnic group -- a set of people who are embedded within a larger cultural group or society and who share beliefs, behaviors, values, and
norms that are transmitted from generation to generation.

ethnicity -- a group whose members share a common cultural heritage and a sense of belonging.

ethnic identity -- the geographic origin of a minority group within a country or culture; cultural identity transcends ethnic identity.

ethnocentrism -- the assumption that one's own culture is the standard by which to judge other cultures.

ethnography -- a method in which the researcher attempts to understand the unique values and social processes of a culture or a distinct
social group by living with its members and taking field notes for an extended period of time.

ethmoid bone -- a bone in the skull that separates the nasal cavity from the brain. It is located at the
roof of the nose, between the two orbits. The ethmoid bone is one of the bones that make up the
orbits of the eyes. (see picture)

ethogram -- an inventory or description created by an ethologist as he or she observes and tracks a
subject's behavior over time.

ethological theory -- explanation of development that focuses on the causes and adaptive value of
behavior, considering both the evolutionary history of the species and the social context.

ethological theory of attachment -- a theory, formulated by John Bowlby, that views the infant's
emotional tie to the caregiver as an evolved response that promotes survival.

ethology -- an approach concerned with the adaptive, or survival, value of behavior and its evolutionary history. Literally, the study of an
individual's "ethos" or character. Ethology is a biological science which studies animal behaviour in a particular way: the animal is considered
as a whole; behaviour is usually studied in natural or wild conditions; there is great attention to the antecedents and consequences of
behaviour patterns; the function of any behaviour is considered; and an evolutionary perspective is always taken. An attempt is made to see
how the animal views the world from its own perspective and to visualize the internal "maps" and rules which govern its activities. Ethology is
contrasted with behaviourism, which usually concentrates on particular bits of behaviour and does not consider the organism as a whole and
is unconcerned with evolutionary considerations. Bowlby saw the methods and theories of ethology as highly relevant to the study of human
infants, and this led to a fruitful collaboration between him and the leading ethologist Robert Hinde.

etic perspective -- the analysis of a society from the outside.

etiology -- cause.

etiological tales -- tales that explain the origin of something. Pourquoi tales are often labeled as etiological, as are many myths.

Eugenics movement -- look at this interactive website.

eukaryotic cell -- a type of complex cell which makes up all fungi, animals, plants, and protists such as amoeba. Along with prokaryotic
cells (which include simplistic bacteria and archaea), they make up all known terrestrial life. They are characterized by internal membranes
and a strong cytoskeleton. The word eukaryote means "true nut", referring to the internal nucleus. In a eukaryote cell, DNA is protected in
a special nucleus, where it is organized into chromosomes. Eukaryote cells evolved between 1.6 and 2.1 billion years ago. Eukaryote
cells have organelles, such as mitochondria, ribosomes, vesicles, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, cytoskeleton, flagella,
vacuoles, lysosomes, and centrioles. All have special functions and are enclosed in their own membranes. (see illustration at bottom of
page, copyrighted by Pearson Education, Inc.)

euphony -- pleasing or sweet sound; the acoustic effect produced by words so formed or combined as to please the ear

eustachian tube -- connection between oral cavity and middle ear, allowing equilibration of pressure
and drainage of fluid; a structure that extends from the throat to the middle-ear cavity and controls air flow
into the cavity (see illustration).

eustress -- a moderate-to-high level or a low-to-moderate level of stress that is energizing, motivating,
positive, and healthy.

eustressor -- a positive event that is a source of stress.

euthenics -- a science that deals with development of human well-being by improvement of living
conditions.

evacuation -- removal of persons from a site where a disaster or emergency exists.

evaluation -- the establishment of specific values by which to judge whatever is being considered.

evaluation of transitions -- the phase during which families and service providers evaluate the effectiveness of the transition.

evanescent -- tending to vanish like vapor; transient

Event Related Potentials (ERP) -- a sharp increase in electrical activity in the brain that is created by exposure to a particular stimulus.

event sampling -- an observation technique that involves defining the event to be observed and coding the event to record what is important
to remember about it.

everted -- turned outward.

everyone -- should be a reporter of observed or suspected child abuse. In the state of Tennessee, everyone is a mandated reporter.
Failure to report abuse (most common reporters are doctors, mental health professionals, child care providers, dentists, family members,
friends, teachers) is a violation of the law.

evocative G-E correlation -- situation in which the child's genotype draws response from others.

evolution -- the process through which organisms change and adapt as a result of forces in the environment; also referred to as natural
selection; Darwin.

evolutionary developmental psychology -- an approach that seeks to understand the adaptive value of species-wide cognitive, emotional,
and social competencies as those competencies change with age.

evolutionary theories -- explanations of development that focus on how behaviors promote the survival of the individual and the species.

Ewing's sarcoma -- a malignant, round-cell tumor found in the bone or in soft tissue. Most common sites for Ewing's sarcoma are the
pelvis, the femur, the humerus, and the ribs. Ewing's sarcoma occurs most frequently in male teenagers. Ewing's sarcoma results from a
translocation between chromosomes 11 and 22, which fuses the EWS gene of chromosome 22 to the FLI1 gene of chromosome 11.

exacerbate -- to make more violent, bitter, or severe

exceptional -- a term describing any individual whose physical, mental, or behavioral performance deviates so substantially from the average
(higher or lower) that additional support is required to meet the individual's needs.

exceptional children -- children who differ from society's view of normalcy; a term coined at the 1930 White House conference on Child
Health and Protection to refer to all children who are different from typically developing children.

exclusionary standard -- refers to embedding particular exemptions within a definition. For example, in the IDEA definition of learning
disabilities, learning disabilities do not include learning problems that primarily result from visual impairment, hearing loss, mental
retardation, emotional disturbance, or environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantages.

executive functioning -- includes being able to process information to make decisions, take actions, and solve problems.

exercised induced asthma -- asthma that is caused by exercise, characterized by wheeziness and shortness of breath after exercise. It is
especially exacerbated by exercising in cold weather.

excited -- activated to perform a function.

excitement phase -- the first phase of the four-phase description, developed in 1966 by William Masters and Virginia Johnson, of how
men and women respond to sex physiologically: 1) excitement, 2) plateau, 3) orgasm, and 4) resolution. Excitement consists of a physical
reaction to erotic stimulation.

excitotoxic receptors -- receptors in the brain for excitotoxins, chemicals that can cause neuronal cell death and have been implicated in
hypoxic grain damage and AIDS encephalopathy.

exculpate -- to clear from alleged fault or guilt; absolve, exonerate, acquit, vindicate

executive function -- the ability to monitor and regulate one's own behavior. Executive function reflects an individual's ability to exercise
impulse control and to think about and anticipate the consequences of actions.

exhibitionism -- behavior that consists of exposing one's genitals in public to an involuntary observer.

existential intelligence -- one of Gardner's nine separate and unique intelligences; the proclivity to pose and ponder questions about life,
death, and ultimate realities. The capacity to locate oneself with respect to the furthest reaches of the cosmos -- the infinite and infinitesimal --
and the related capacity to locate oneself with respect to such existential features of the human condition as the significance of life, the
meaning of death, and the ultimate fate of the physical and the psychological worlds, and such profound experiences as love of another
person or total immersion in a work of God.

existential living -- Rogers: Living in the here and now; future and past are dreams and memories.

exit response -- as a response to a deteriorating relationship, withdrawing or threatening to withdraw from
the relationship.

exocrine glands -- glands that secrete substances onto an inner surface of an organ or outside the body,
such as salivary or sweat glands (see illustration of salivary glands over there ---------------------->).

exogamy -- the practice of choosing a mate from outside one's own group.

exogenous smile -- smile that is triggered by external stimuli.

exophthalmos -- see proptosis.

exosystems -- According to Bronfenbrenner, the social systems that exert an influence on the development of the individual.

exoteric -- suitable to be imparted to the public; belonging to the outer or less initiate circle; relating to the outside; external

exotropia -- a form of strabismus in which the eyes are pulled outward toward the ears (scroll up to "esotropia" for illustration).

expanded core curriculum -- curriculum encompassing the range of skills that address disability-specific needs of students' visual
impairments, including communication skills, social skills, daily living skills, and orientation and mobility skills.

expansions -- adult responses that elaborate on a child's utterance, increasing its complexity.

expectations -- behaviors or actions that are anticipated.

experience-dependent brain growth -- new growth and refinement of brain structures as a result of specific learning experiences that vary
widely across individuals and cultures. Follows experience-expectant brain growth.

experience-dependent plasticity -- a shift in the wiring of the brain based on the type of environment the person is exposed to.

experience-expectant brain growth -- the young brain's rapidly developing organization, which depends on ordinary experiences --
opportunities to see and touch objects, to hear language and other sounds, and to move about and explore the environment. Provide the
foundation for experience-dependent brain growth.

experiential freedom -- Rogers: a feeling of freedom, but also responsibility for own choices.

experiment -- a test or trial in which factors or behaviors are measured or monitored under closely controlled circumstances.

experimental design -- a research design in which the investigator randomly assigns participants to two or more treatment conditions.
Permits inferences about cause and effect.

experimental group -- group that receives the independent variable.

experimental study -- method in which scientists bring people into a laboratory where the situation is manipulated and the effects of the
manipulation are noted.

expertise -- special skill or knowledge in a particular field.

expert power -- type of power based on a person's opinion that his or her partner has specialized knowledge.

explicate -- to give a detailed explanation of; to develop the implications of, analyze logically; explain

exploratory play -- Play that uses discovery learning to help develop concepts and involves the use of trial and error

expressive affect -- behaviors related to interacting or associating with others, for example, smiling.

expressive aphasia -- an inability to express one's own thoughts and desires verbally. (also called motor aphasia)

expressive language -- An individual's ability to produce language; a child's ability to appropriately use language in conversations.

expressive language disorders -- difficulties in producing language. The child is better able to understand language than to speak. It is
often a component of a developmental language delay. This can also be acquired (occurring as a result of brain injury or damage), as in
aphasia. The developmental type of expressive language disorder is more common in children. They often do not talk much or at all,
although they generally understand language that is addressed to them. They may have a lot to say, but are unable to retrieve the words
needed to speak.

expressive language style -- language style focused on using words to regulate social interaction with adults.

expressive role -- according to Parsons and Bales' model of the modern family, the mother-wife's role -- caring for the emotional well-being
of the family, providing nurturing, and comfort.

expressive style -- a style of early learning in which toddlers use language mainly to talk about the feelings and needs of themselves and
other people. Initial vocabulary emphasizes social formulas and pronouns.

expunge -- to strike out, obliterate, or mark for deletion; to efface completely, destroy; to eliminate from one's consciousness.

extended discourse -- denoting written or spoken communication that goes on for longer than most; in the case of language development,
this is meant to be a conversation between a child and adult that serves to extend the child's expressive language skills.

extended family -- family structure consisting of one or more parents, one or more of their children, and one or more other relatives living
together in one household. Also refers to close relatives who interact with their family on a regular basis. When a family has a
stressor, such as a child with a disability, the extended family can be a tremendous support to them.

extended family household -- a household in which parent and child live with one or more adult relatives.

extended family system -- one of the four major components of the sociocultural context in which families live; focuses on the degree of
importance relatives outside the nuclear family have on the family's life.

extension -- the straightening of a joint that changes the angle between bones that meet in the joint; the opposite of flexion.

external acoustic meatus -- see auditory canal

external auditory canal -- see outer ear (see illustration).

external ear -- the part of the ear responsible for collecting sound waves, consisting of the
auricle, auditory canal, and tympanic membrane, also called outer ear (see illustration).

externalizing behaviors -- behavior excesses displayed by students with emotional and
behavior disorders in which actions are directed at others (e.g., hitting, shouting).

externalizing problems -- psychological difficulties that involve acting out against society.

external ophthalmoplegia -- paralysis of the eye muscles.

exophthalmos -- abnormal protrusion of the eyeball; see proptosis

external signs -- Vygotsky's third stage of development, formulated particularly as it applies
to the development of language.

external stressors -- stressful events that begin with someone or something outside the family.

extinction -- reducing unwanted behavior by withholding all positive consequences.

extinction burst -- a transient increase in the frequency and intensity of a challenging behavior before a subsequent reduction occurs.

extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) -- an extreme and invasive life support technique that involves putting a patient onto a
heart-lung bypass machine.

extract -- a concentrated preparation.

extrafamilial abuse -- sexual child abuse by nonrelated individuals.

extraneous movements -- movements of the mouth, lips, and tongue while concentrating on a movement activity such as coloring or
building with blocks.

extrapyramidal -- outside the pyramidal nerve group; used to refer to noncortical cerebral damage.

extrapyramidal cerebral palsy -- cerebral palsy that affects coordination of movement: athetoid (uncontrolled movements that are slow
and writhing; affects any part of the body, including the face, mouth, and tongue. 10% to 20% of cerebral palsy cases are this type); and
ataxic (balance and coordination, depth perception, unsteady gait, 5% to 10% of cerebral palsy cases or of this type. Extrapyramidal
cerebral palsy can be mixed (combination of athetoid and ataxic). See dyskinetic cerebral palsy.

extremely low birth weight (ELBW)-- less than 750 grams (1 pound 10 ounces).

extrinsic -- originating from or on the outside; external, not derived from one's essential nature.

extrinsic asthma -- triggered by external agents such as pollen or chemicals.

extrinsic motivation -- reason to act on the basis of an incentive separate from the individual (e.g., money or a prize).

extrinsic rewards -- rewards created by external factors, teachers, and other students.

eye blinking -- a common tic.

eye blink reflex -- a permanent newborn reflex in which the infant closes his/her eyelids in response to bright lights or nearby loud noises.
Serves to protect the infant from strong stimulation.

eyelid -- the skin covering and protecting the eyeball.