Childhood Developmental Disorders

Question 1

What are the types of developmental disorders?

Answer 1

Pervasive developmental disorders (PDD)

Specific developmental disorders

Learning disorders

Question 2

What are pervasive developmental disorders?

Answer 2

Group of disorders characterized by

Abnormalities in communication

Abnormal social interaction

Restricted repetitive activities and interests

Question 3

What are the types of pervasive developmental disorders?

Answer 3

Autism

Rett’s syndrome

Asperger’s syndrome

Question 4

What is autism?

Answer 4

A PDD

With a triad of impairment

Social

Communication

Restricted / repetitive interest and behaviors

Presenting before 3 years of age

Male to female 4:1

Question 5

What are the features of autism?

Answer 5

SOCIAL
Don’t like being held
Reduced eye contact 
Unusual facial expressions
Lack of gestures 
Lack of empathy
Poor understanding of others feelings
Few peer relationships 
Does not respond to affection
Do not value parents company over strangers

COMMUNICATION
Speech problems
Echolalia 
Odd prosody 
Pronoun reversal
No two way conversation 
String of questioning

RESTRICTED REPETITIVE 
deep interest in mundane things
Reject toys
No imaginative play
Repeated stereotypical movements 
Resist changes in daily routine
Self harming

Question 6

What are the causes of autism?

Answer 6

Multifactorial

Genetic
Organic brain disorders
Cognitive abnormalities

NOT ABNORMAL PARENTING

Question 7

What are the DDx to autism?

Answer 7

Deafness

Communication disorder

Learning disability

Asperger’s syndrome

Question 8

What is the prognosis of autism?

Answer 8

20% improve

20% dependent

60% no improvement

100% no return to normal

Question 9

How do you manage autism?

Answer 9

Can’t be cured

GENERAL
Psychoeducation
School
Treat co morbidities
Parental training

BIOLOGICAL
Atypical antipsychotics (risperidone)
Stimulants
SSRI

PSYCHOLOGICAL
Behavioral therapy
Speech and language therapy
Social skills training

Question 10

What is Rett’s syndrome?

Answer 10

Only females affected

X linked

Normal for 6-18 months

Developmental regression

Life expectancy 30 years

Loss of speech 
Loss of Hand movements 
Loss of Head growth
Loss of motor skills
Stereotypes
Breathing problems (hyperventilating, sigh, breath holding)

Mental retardation
Physical disease

Question 11

What is Asperger’s syndrome?

Answer 11

Social anomalies

Repetitive restricted behavior

NORMAL speech and intellect

Appears at 4-8 years

Co morbid
ADHD
mood
Tics
Bipolar