ADHD 3 Flashcards
Biological component ADHD
direct genetic transmission; the ADHD child has inherited a chemical imbalance that causes inappropriate cognitive, motor and social behaviours with an onset at around age 7
Psychological component ADHD
direct environmental impact of parenting behaviours; the parents behave toward the hyperactive child differently from normal children and the different behaviour leads to the child reacting in a hyperactive way
Social component ADHD
indirect effects of parenting behaviour; because of chaotic family life etc. the parents fail to teach the child developmentally appropriate skills (e.g. self control) and the child behaves at an earlier developmental stage (e.g. 4 year old)
Biopsychosocial perspective and culture
cross cultural differences in prevalence and medical consumption indicates a strong role for psychological factors in: 1) diagnosis; 2) treatment
Biopsychosocial model also explains
gender differences in diagnosis
Biological component gender differences in diagnosis
boys are more active than girls; boys are more aggressive than girls
Psychological component gender differences in diagnosis
an active child with hyperactivity will be a greater problem in school; an aggressive child with impulsivity will be a greater problem is all social settings;
Social component gender differences in diagnosis
boys encouraged to be more active and aggressive in their play; girls with ADD (no hyperactivity) are not as externally disruptive to teachers etc.
ADHD Diagnostic Steps (5)
1) parents (but more often school) are concerned about child’s behaviour; 2) given Australian healthcare system GPs are first call; 3) GP can assess, make diagnosis, prescribe medicine; 4) GP might refer child to a children’s hospital, a paediatrician, a psychologist or a child psychiatrist
Most diagnoses are made at which step
most diagnoses are made at step 3
What should an ideal diagnostic process include (4)
an interview and discussion with child, family (and teachers); 2) behaviour checklists (DSM 5) or (rarely) Connors scale; 3) developmental, learning, educational or IQ checks; 4) language, speech and movement checks
Are ADHD diagnoses reliable/valid?
highly reliable diagnoses (inter-rater reliability) but with no neurological assessment, unknown validity
Developmental psychopathology
the study of the development of psychological disorders; is a sub-field of developmental psychology and clinical psychology
Developmental psychology has the following assumptions (3)
1) typical and atypical development demonstrate that developmental pathways can diverge toward pathological or atypical outcomes; 2) development can be adaptive in one context and maladaptive in another; 3) development change is influenced by a dynamic interplay of physiological, genetic, social, cognitive, emotional and cultural influences across time
Thomas, Chess & Birch (1968)
used longitudinal (10 years) study on a sample of children and found 3 types of children - 1) easy; 2) slow to warm up; 3) difficult
