ch. 13 Flashcards
Nature of Developmental Psychopathology: An Overview
Normal vs. abnormal development
Consider age and environment of child
Developmental psychopathology
Study of how disorders arise and change with time
Disruption of early skills can affect later development
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Diagnosed first in infancy, childhood, or adolescence
Include the following:
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Specific learning disorder
Autism spectrum disorder
Intellectual Disability
Communication and Motor Disorders
Communication and Motor disorders
Childhood Onset Fluency Disorder
Speech difficulty that may include repeated syllabus (stuttering), pauses or substituting words that are easier to pronounce
Language Disorder
Limited speech in all situations; understanding of speech is normal and problem may self-correct
Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
Difficulty with social aspects of communication (e.g., dominating conversations, switching topics excessively), but lacks other features of autism spectrum disorder (e.g., restrictive behaviors and interests)
Tourette’s Disorder
Involuntary motor movements and/or vocalizations, which may include obscenities
Nature of ADHD
Central features – inattention, overactivity, and impulsivity Associated with numerous impairments Behavioral Cognitive Social and academic problems
DSM-5 symptom types
ADHD
Predominantly inattentive presentation
Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation
Combined presentation
ADHD: Facts and Statistics
Prevalence
Occurs in approximately 5% of school-aged children
Symptoms are usually present around age three or four
Children with ADHD have similar problems as adults
Gender differences: Boys outnumber girls 3:1
Cultural factors
ADHD most commonly diagnosed in the United States, although prevalence appears fairly constant worldwide
The Causes of ADHD: Biological Contributions
Genetic contributions
ADHD seems to run in families
DAT1 – dopamine transporter gene has been implicated
Some ADHD drugs work by inhibiting DAT1
Neurobiological correlates of ADHD
Smaller brain volume
Inactivity of the frontal cortex and basal ganglia
Abnormal frontal lobe development and functioning
The role of toxins
Food additives (e.g., dyes, pesticides) may play very small role in hyperactive/impulsive behavior among children
Maternal smoking increases risk
The Causes of ADHD: Psychosocial Contributions
Psychosocial factors
ADHD children are often viewed negatively by others > Frequent negative feedback from peers and adults
Peer rejection and resulting social isolation
Such factors foster low self-esteem
Biological Treatment of ADHD
Goal of biological treatments
To reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and to improve attention
Stimulant medications
Currently prescribed for approximately 4 million American children
Low doses of stimulants improve focusing abilities
Examples include Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderall
Problem: May increase risk for later substance abuse
Other medications with more limited efficacy
Imipramine and clonidine (antihypertensive)
Genes affect individuals’ response to meds
Some trial and error is necessary
Effects of medications
Improve compliance, decrease negative behaviors
Do not affect learning/academics directly
Benefits are not lasting following discontinuation
Behavioral and Combined Treatment of ADHD
Behavioral treatment Reinforcement programs To increase appropriate behaviors Decrease inappropriate behaviors May also involve parent training Combined bio-psycho-social treatments Often recommended May be superior to medication or behavioral treatments alone, but more research is needed
Specific Learning Disorders: An Overview
Scope of learning disorders
Academic problems in reading, mathematics, and/or writing
Performance substantially below expected levels based on age and/or demonstrated capacity
Problems persist for 6+ months despite targeted intervention
Specific Learning Disorder: Types
With impairment in reading, may include:
Word reading accuracy
Reading rate or fluency
Reading comprehension
With impairment in written expression, may include:
Spelling accuracy
Grammar punctuation and accuracy
Clarity/organization of written expression
With impairment in mathematics, may include: Number sense Memorization of arithmetic facts Accurate or fluent calculation Accurate math reasoning
Specific Learning Disorder: Statistics
Prevalence of learning disorders
Six million children have been diagnosed in the United States
Highest rate of diagnosis in wealthier regions, but children with low SES more likely to have difficulties
Reading difficulties most common, affect 4-10% of the general population
School experience tends to be generally negative
Biological and Psychosocial Causes of Specific Learning Disorder
Genetic and neurobiological contributions
Learning disorders run in families, but specific difficulties are not inherited
Evidence for subtle neurological difficulties is mounting (e.g., decreased functioning of areas responsible for word recognition)
Overall, contributions are unclear
Psychosocial contributions are likely important
Treatment of Specific Learning Disorder
Requires intense educational interventions
Remediation of basic processing problems
Improvement of cognitive skills
Targeting skills to compensate for problem areas
Data support behavioral educational interventions