Disorders that originate in childhood

Question 1

Neurodevelopmental Disorders:

Answer 1

• intellectual disability
• learning disorders
• autism spectrum
• ADHD

Question 2

Behaviour Disruptive Disorders

Answer 2

• oppositional defiant disorders
• conduct disorder
  (AKA externalising disorders)

Question 3

Diagnosing Disorders in Children can be difficult becuase…

Answer 3

1. they are more likely to act out rather than seek help
2. certain degree of deviance and irrational behaviour is typical
3. Some psychological disorders in children cause little/ no conscious distress

Question 4

Etiology of Intellectual Disability

Answer 4

extremely diverse

Genetic Abnormalities: Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome

Metabolic Abnormalities: PKU, Tay-Sachs Disease

Prenatal/ Postnatal Disease: FAS, Anoxia, Drug exposure

Question 5

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Answer 5

is extremely diverse (mild - severe).
Involves deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviour patterns

Question 6

Epidemiology of Autism

Answer 6

• less than 1% of population
• symptoms typically recognised in 2nd yr of life
• 4x more common in boys

Question 7

Etiology of ASD

Answer 7

• high heretibility - no environmental factors linked to Autism
  brain abnormalities:
• cerebellum, limbic system, amygdala, white matter, neurotransmitter abnormalities

Prenatal Birthing Factors
- toxic exposure to mum
- mum w reubella

Question 8

Externalising Disorders

Answer 8

involve problematic behaviour related to poor impulse control

• ADD
• ODD
• Conduct Disorder

Question 9

ADHD - 3 subtypes

Answer 9

1. Predominantly inattentive type
2. Predominantly hyperactive- impulsive type
3. Combined type

Question 10

Etiology of ADHD

Answer 10

• 60-80% heritability
  Structural Abnormalities:
• prefrontal cortex (under-responsive)
• dorsolateral region
  Neurotransmitter Abnormalities: excessive amount of dopamine

Question 11

Treatment for ADHD

Answer 11

biological - most effective
- stimulant vs non-stimulant

behaviour therapy

Question 12

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Answer 12

• early childhood
• argumentative/ temper tantrums
• authority problems

this is a precursor to conduct disorder

Question 13

Conduct Disorder (CD)

Answer 13

• more sever than ODD
• agression to people/ animals
  -serious violation to rules
• childhood onset
• limited prosocial emotions

Shows 2:
- lack of guilt
- callous/ lack of empathy
- unconcerned about performance

Question 14

Etiology of ODD =/ CD

Answer 14

focus on externalising disorders as a spectrum
highly genetic but found that it might have some broad-based vulnerability factors (environmental)