Chapter 13 Disorders Of Childhood

Question 0

What does the field of developmental psychopathology focus on?

Answer 0

Developmental Psychopathology focuses on the disorders of childhood within the context of lifespan development, enabling the identification of behaviours that are appropriate at one stage but disturbed at another.

Question 1

Before making a diagnosis, what must a clinician first consider?

Answer 1

What is typical for a certain age.

Question 2

What is the new name for mental retardation in DSM-5?

Answer 2

Intellectual development disorder.

Question 3

The combination of three disorders from DSM-IV-TR into one disorder labelled autism spectrum disorder include: autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder and pervasive ………….. …………… Otherwise not specified.

Answer 3

Pervasive developmental disorder otherwise not specified.

Question 4

How are the more prevalent childhood disorders divided?

Answer 4

Into two domains:

Externalising disorders and internalising disorders.

Question 5

What the #%@% are the externalising and internalising disorders?

Answer 5

The externalising disorders are characterised by the outward-directed behaviours, such as aggressiveness, noncompliance, over activity and impulsiveness….
The category includes: ADHD, conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder.

Question 6

What about internalising disorders??

Answer 6

Internalising disorders are characterised by more inward-focused experiences and behaviours, such as depression, social withdrawal and anxiety-
Includes childhood anxiety and mood disorders.

Question 7

Perhaps important to note that …

Answer 7

Children and adolescents may exhibit symptoms from both domains…. Externalising and internalising… Check out Eric’s case page: 393 as an example.

Question 8

Fact: Across cultures, externalising behaviours are consistently found more often among boys and internalising behaviours more often among ….

Answer 8

GIRLS!

At least in adolescence.

Question 9

What are the three main factors involved in childhood disorders?

Answer 9

Interaction of:
Genetic
Neurobiological
Psychological factors.

Question 10

Asthma is a disorder of the respiratory system.

What happens during an asthma attack?

Answer 10

The air passages become narrowed, causing extremely laboured and wheezy breathing.
Activity of the immune system leads to inflammation of lung tissue, resulting in an increase in mucus secretion and edema (accumulation of fluid in the tissues).

Question 11

How do asthma attacks begin?

Answer 11

Asthma attacks often begin suddenly.
Asthma attacks may trigger panic attacks.
An attack results in a suffocating feeling, gasping, wheezing, and coughing can compound the fear.
May be exhausting.

Question 12

What distinguishes a diagnosable disorder in regard to hyperactivity? And attention deficit?

Answer 12

When these behaviours are EXTREME for a particular developmental period, PERSISTENT across different situations, and linked to significant IMPAIRMENTS in functioning… The diagnosis of ADHD may be appropriate.

Question 13

How does ADHD affect a child socially?

Answer 13

Many have difficulty in getting along with their peers and establishing friendships, perhaps because their behaviour is often aggressive and intrusive.

Question 14

Subtle cues are missed by children with ADHD…

Answer 14

Such as noticing when their peers are tiring of their constant jiggling or spontaneous gestures.

Question 15

Three main factors distinguish DEVELOPMENTAL Disorders:

Answer 15

They are conditions that:

1. Manifest in clinically significant ways during children’s
2. Developing years…and are a
3. Source of concern to families and educators.

Question 16

Three areas of controversy surround childhood disorders:

Answer 16

1. There is a growing number of children diagnosed with a disorder.
2. There is a growing number of children on medication.
3. The change of reference for autism to “autism spectrum disorder” in DSM-5.

Question 17

What characterises in attention?

Answer 17

OFTEN:

• does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work or other activities
• has difficulty in sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
• does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
• does not follow instructions and fails to finish school work, chores or duties in the work place (not due to opposition/failure to understand)
• trouble organising tasks and activities
• avoids dislikes or reluctant to engage in tasks requiring sustained mental effort
• loses things necessary for tasks
• easily distracted
• forgetful…

GOD - that’s ME!

Question 18

What are the three subtypes of ADHD?

Answer 18

1. Predominantly Inattentive
2. Predominantly Hyperactive
3. Combined type ….largely this

Question 19

Which three ADHD behaviours predict problems in the future?

Answer 19

Reduced social skills
Aggression
Inflated view of self

Question 20

Why is ADHD difficult to diagnose before 4-5 years old?

Answer 20

Two reasons are:
Children do not generally have to sit and be attentive for long periods of time before school age.
They are not expected to sit and be on task for activities prior to school.

Question 21

What is the prevalence of ADHD?

Answer 21

3-7% of school-age children meet the criteria.
Difficult to diagnose before 4-5years of age.

4% of adults ADHD approx. (predominantly males, divorced, unemployed, non-hispanic white)