Childhood Disorders

Question 1

What is ADHD?

Answer 1

symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity

Question 2

What is the known aetiology of ADHD?

Answer 2

80% heritability estimate, switching on and off of executive functions (frontal lobe), parenting insonsistency

Question 3

What are the treatment options for ADHD?

Answer 3

psychostimulant meds (for small availability of dopamine) and psychosocial treatment to improve social skills

Question 4

Explain Specific Learning Disorder in terms of Reading.

Answer 4

difficulties in reading accuracy, fluency and comprehension, unexpected in relation to cognitive age

Question 5

What is the aetiology info about specific learning disorder (reading)?

Answer 5

heritability, deficits in phonological awareness, working memory, speed of processing, speech perception

Question 6

What are the treatment options for specific learning disorder (reading)?

Answer 6

phonological and strategy based approaches (multisensory instruction)

Question 7

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Answer 7

characterised by impairments in social communication interaction and repetative behaviours, interests and activities (social communication problems around reciprocity and comprehending non verbal; also deficits in theory of mind)

Question 8

What is the aetiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Answer 8

genetics, prenatal and perinatal insults, severe social deprivation, larger brain size

Question 9

What is the treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Answer 9

early intervention for adaption and functioning (behaviour modification programs; meds can be used for targeting specific behaviour problems)

Question 10

What is Intellectual Disability?

Answer 10

deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning

Question 11

What is the aetiology of Intellectual Disability?

Answer 11

500 genetic conditions associated, exposure to toxic agents, infection, low birth weight, head injury, postnatal causes

Question 12

What is the treatment for Intellectual Disability?

Answer 12

Early intervention (physical/occupational/speech therapy, family support

Question 13

What is oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)?

Answer 13

persistent pattern of angry/irritable mood, argumentative/defiant behaviour (difficulty regulating emotions and negative affective style which continues in different settings)

Question 14

What is the aetiology of ODD?

Answer 14

alterations in androgen, frontal brain activity, traumatic brain injury, temperament, difficulty understanding social cues, high punishment and critique, ristrictive control

Question 15

What is Conduct Disorder?

Answer 15

persistent pattern of violation of rules/rights of others (steal, fight, cruelty)

Question 16

What is the aetiology of Conduct Disorder?

Answer 16

ODD and ADHD often precursors, low cortisol, high androgen, callousness, antisocial peer association, rejection, family structure/r/ships, SES

Question 17

What are treatment options for OCC and Conduct Disorder?

Answer 17

Functional Family Therapy  (improve attributions)
Behaviour Approaches (problem solving skills training)

Question 18

What is Separation Anxiety Disorder?

Answer 18

fear specifically related to separation experiences (fear reduced with presence of attachment figure)

Question 19

What is the aetiology of Separation Anxiety Disorder?

Answer 19

predisposition to antiety in general (behaviour inhibition), parental anxiety, over protective parenting

Question 20

What are the treatment options for Separation Anxiety Disorder?

Answer 20

CBT (ed, exposure, coping, reinforcement), parent involvment important, statements and relaxation

Question 21

What is Selective Mutism?

Answer 21

persistent failure to speak in certain settings even though person has ability (comorbid anxiety); may be related to early trauma or shy/inhibited temperament

Question 22

What are the Treatment options for Selective Mutism?

Answer 22

graded exposure and self modelling

Question 23

What is Enuresis and Encopresis

Answer 23

1) involuntary emptying of the bladder (5 or older).

2) repetitive soiling in inappropriate places (at least 4yrs)

Question 24

What are some of the problems associated with the actual diagnosis of childhood disorders?

Answer 24

most studies focus on single moment in time, substantial comorbidities, hard to establish what is normal and abnormal behaviour in children

Question 25

What is the difference between externalising and internalising disorders?

Answer 25

Externalising - undercontrolled, impulsive, outward directed

Internalising - overcontrolled, inward directed