Disorders of Childhood

• Neurodevelopment disorders cause 


  deficits producing impairments of personal, social, academic or occupational functioning
• ADHD Inattention symptoms

  • misses details or makes careless mistakes
  • difficulty sustaining attention in tasks of play
  • does not seem to listen when spoken too directly
  • does not follow through on instructions; fails to finish schoolwork or chores
  • difficulty organizing tasks
  • avoids tasks
  • forgetful
  • easily distracted by extraneous stimuli or thoughts
  • forgetful in daily activities (chores, errands, bills)
• ADHD Hyperactivity symptoms

  • Fidgets with hands, feet or squirms
  • runs, climbs, restlessness
  • Leaves seated when directed to stay seated
  • difficulty playing quietly
  • talks excessively
  • on the go, acts as if driven by a motor
• ADHD Implusivity symtoms

  • blurts out answer before question is completed
  • interrupts conversation or intrudes
  • difficulty waiting their turn
• what is the criteria for being diagnosed with ADHD

  6 or more symptoms in either the inattention or hyperactivity/implusivity categories
• when does ADHD symptoms occur

  before the age of 12 in 2 or more settings
• how long to the symptoms have to be present

  at least for 6 months and are inconsistent with developmental level
• ADHD negative impact...


  on social and academic or occupational activities, causing distress or impairment
• what are the three types of ADHD

  • ADHD- inattentive
  • ADHD- hyperactive/impulsive
  • ADHD- combined
• Cause: Inactivity of what brian area

  frontal lobe; low executive function
• drug treatment type for ADHD

  Stimulant
• how do stimulants work for treating ADHD

  increase function of the prefrontal cortex by increasing dopamine levels
• examples of ADHD treating stimulants

  • Dopamine increaser
  • Methylphenidate
  • ritalin
  • concerta
  • Dextroamphetamine
  • adderall
  • Vyvanse
  • increasing norepinephrine function
  • straterra (norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor)
• ADHD drug side effects

  • insomnia
  • weight loss
  • stunted growth
• Non-drug ADHD treatment 


  Behavior modification
• "pop psychology"

  • sugar
  • red food dye
• Autism spectrum disorders

  Asperger's <-> Autism
• Autism spectrum disorder in three areas

  1. Social interaction
  2. restricted, repetitive behaviors/interest, need for sameness
  3. impaired language and communication skills
• problems with social interaction

  • impaired non-verbal social regulation:
  • lacks eye contact, facial expression, body postures and gestures
  • lacks varied, spontaneous, make believe play
  • failure to develop peer relationships
  • lack of spontaneous seeking to share (showing, pointing out)
  • lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment of interests
• restricted, repetitive behaviors/interests, need for sameness

  • rocking, toe-walking, arm, hand, or finger flapping
  • Inflexible adherence to a specific nonfunctional routine
  • obsessive needs for sameness
  • memorization of facts about a specific topic
  • encompassing preoccupation- focused interest
  • preoccupation or abnormal interest
• Impaired language and communication skills

  • delay or lack of spoken language (not accompanied by compensatory 'substitute')
  • flat tone, echolalia
  • does not initiate or sustain conversation
• what are the probable causes of autism spectrum disorder

  • some genetic basis
  • decrease size of posterior lobe of cerebellum
  • concordance rate
  • identical- 60-91%
  • fraternal- 0%
• ABA treatment summer camp for autism spectrum disorder

  • reduce aggression and self-stimulatory behaviors
  • to teach imitation of others play
  • to teach language and academics
  • good results
• What is cant sleep or wakes up a lot

  insomnia
• what is it when you sleep more than normal

  hypersomnia
• What is unipolar depression


  another name for a major depressive episode
• how is major depressive disorder characterized

  discouraged, sad, hopeless

  lack or energy, loss of interest

  withdrawal from family and friends

  teens may be irritable instead of sad

  plus 4 or more of other factors
• four or more of the following

  • weight, appetite, sleep, motor activity
  • decreased energy
  • feeling of worthlessness or guilt
  • difficulty concentrating or thinking or making decisions
  • recurrent thought of death or suicide (with plans or attempt)
  • causes major distress or impairment in life
• what are some possible cause of a major depressive episode

  • due to a general medical condition
  • substance induced
• treatment for major depressive disorder: drugs

  • tricyclic antidepressants
  • SSRI's
  • MAO-inhibitors
• treatment for major depressive disorder: ECT


  electroconvulsive therapy
• treatment for major depressive disorder: biological 


  raise serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine
• depression in children

  • masked depression
  • aggressiveness, misbehaving at school or home
  • irritability or anger, tantrums, yelling, throwing
  • guilt is frequent
  • use same criteria for diagnosing adult but children will have a depressed appearance instead of a depressed mood
  • comrade with conduct disorder, social withdrawal, worry and anxiety
  • more reports of sad mood in adolescents with higher incidents of insomnia
• depression in children treatments

  • drugs- SSRI's
  • family therapy
  • cognitive
• what is analytic depression

  depression in an infant following separation with mother
• anaclitic depression

  • 6-18 months old
  • apathetic, unresponsive, listless
  • weight loss/ appetite loss
  • increased susceptibly to childhood illness
  • even death
  • REVERSAL OF SYMPTOMS WITH RETURN TO MATERNAL FIGURE
• suicidal ideation

  • recurrent thoughts about death or committing suicide
  • believing others would be better off without them
  • specific plans to commit suicide
• what to do with some considering suicide

  • never leave the person alone
  • get help- 911 or counseling center
  • make sure 'means' (drugs, gun, poison) is not easily accessible
  • be concerned but not judge mental
• warning signs of suicide

  • giving away prized possessions
  • saying goodbye to friends and family members
  • talking about death and/or suicide
  • threatening to commit suicide
  • having/ practicing a plan
• Suicide risk factors

  • having major depressive disorder (50%)
  • having a personality disorder (40%)
  • substance abuse related disorders (50%)
  • impulsivity
  • feeling hopeless
  • lack of a support system