Module 3 - Pediatric Mental Health Flashcards
Many __ ___ can lead to or resemble mental health disorders
learning disabilities
Many disorders occur ___ making diagnosis difficult
concurrently
What are some etiologies for mental health disorders in children?
Physiologic
Chronic Physical Illness or Disability
Family Dynamics
Environment
What are some examples of physiologic etiologies for mental health disorders?
Genetics
Structural Brain Abnormalities
Prenatal Influences
What are some examples of Family Dynamic etiologies for mental health disorders?
Child abuse
Dysfunctional Family System
Poor Role Modeling
What are some examples of environmental etiologies for mental health disorders?
Poverty
Homelessness
What are some treatment options for mental health disorders in children?
Cognitive, Behavioral, Group, Family, Play, Art, Music Therapy
Quiet Room
Time Out
Seclusion and/or Restraint
Psychopharmacology
What kind of therapy is most commonly used for mental health disorders in children?
Behavioral Therapy - if you start teaching and learning new behaviors early you can change them
Early Intervention
A federally mandated program implemented at the state level via LHD
Testing and Services are provided for free to try and prevent further developmental delay (if its already noted)
Many outcomes can be significantly improved if …
treatment is started early ! do not wait !
What sort of management can be done to treat mental health issues in children?
Community Based Treatment (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary)
Hospital Based Treatment
Specialized Units for Children and Adolescents
Primary Prevention Community based Treatment for Mental health in children
prenatal care
teaching about risk factors
parenting skills classes
Secondary Prevention Community based Treatment for Mental Health in children
Early detection and testing
school and community nurses, NPs, and teachers
Pediatricians
Tertiary Prevention Community based Treatment for Mental Health in Children
minimizes effect of disorder via individual, family, group therapy and behavioral modification
What Assessments should be done by the nurse for a child’s mental health status?
H&P - History and Physical (look at stressors and significant data)
PMH
FH
What are some examples of things to investigate in child PMH
prenatal and birth history
injuries
mood issues
medications
suicide and self injury
mood and actions at home
mood and action with friends
What are some examples of things to investigate in child FH
note strengths and weaknesses of family system
who do they live with
educational level
willingness to learn/participate in services
abuse issues? - Alcohol, physical, emotional
depression/anxiety issues?
What is important to do when assessing a child’s mental health status?
Become a detective - take things in visually like appearance, behavior, and developmental stage, but also ask open ended questions and learn during play
Try to get the family and the child to open up a little to learn about home life and family situations
Observe behaviors
Important Mental Health Disorders in Pediatrics
Developmental Disorders / Learning Disabilities
Pervasive Development Disorders (Autism)
ADD/ADHD/Behavioral Disorders
Mood Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Intellectual Disabilities
What forms can developmental and learning disabilities take
Sensory Integration (Sensory issues)
Auditory Processing Difficulties (trouble hearing words or understanding)
Visual processing difficulties
Dyslexia
Speech/Language Delays etc
With developmental and learning disabilities, it is important to know what?
that they exist and can be misdiagnosed as other more common disorders
Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)
GROUP of conditions that involve DELAYS in development of many basic skills
It is an umbrella term / group of conditions
Essentially, autism spectrum
PDD is more common in what gender?
Male
Children with PDD are …
confused in their thinking and generally have problems understanding the world around them
PDD exists as a spectrum of…
autism that goes from mild autism to Asperger’s Syndrome
PDD is a very large…
umbrella term for many things
Autism
A range of complex neurodevelopment disorders
What is Autism characterized by (generally)?
- Social impairments
- Communication Difficulties
- (sometimes) Receptive Patterns of Behavior (rocking, twirling, self abuse behavior)
S/S Of Autism
can engage in rigid, repetitive, machine like movement/obsessive behavior
Impaired social interaction
Unresponsive to people
unable to respond to social/emotional cues (cant pick up on a situation)
aversion to touch and extreme stimuli
at risk for self injury (hitting head, scratching, etc)
A pattern of restricted interests, activity and behaviors
Autistic Disorder
impaired social, communicative, and behavioral development
It is a complex disorder of brain development
When do Autism symptoms tend to emerge?
Between 2-3 years but can be evident from early toddler stage
Asperger’s Syndrome
Mild end of the autism spectrum
Social skills and interactions impaired, but high intellectual functioning
How does Asperger’s Syndrome differ from regular autism?
LATER ONSET
MILD END
Similar social interaction and repetitive behavior problems - but often called eccentric or loner
NO Language delay
Speech may be monotone, poor “give and take” in a conversation
Egocentric
Egocentric
low empathy for others
possessed by Asperger’s Syndrome
Nursing Interventions for Children with Autism
Gradual and Gentle Interaction (Create a safe and stable environment)
Enhance communication (learn triggers or what they like)
Coach on socialization - collaborative activities
Help parents decrease feelings of blame, provide education and resources
Use Childs established routine and decrease stimuli while hospitalized (learn from parent what works, communication cutes, self injury habits)
Use diversion for acting out and increased anxiety (appropriate activities)
Provide child with familiar objects
Change is often challenging
MEDICATIONS may be needed for aggression
Know the childs cues!!!
Autism Prevalence and the Vaccine Debate
10 epidemiologic population based studies concluded there is no evidence of a causal association between vaccines and autism
No evidence to date that children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including autism, in the US have increased mercury concentrations or environmental exposures
Examples of Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders
ADHD
CD
ODD
ADHD
Attention Deficit - Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Disorder that makes it difficult for children to control their behavior
Can be both attention deficit and hyperactivity (or more one than the other)
ADHD goes beyond the normal…
hyperactive child, this is inappropriate attention or impulsiveness consistently
What is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood? How many children does it impact?
ADHD - 4 to 12% of School Aged Children