Common Childhood and Adolescent Disorders

Study Notes

Common Childhood and Adolescent Disorders

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
- Diagnosis requires symptoms to be present for at least six months and inappropriate for the child’s developmental level.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Symptoms include challenges in social skills, repetitive behaviors, and communication difficulties.
- Typically diagnosed with symptoms appearing within the first two years of life.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Features an angry/irritable mood, argumentative behavior, and vindictiveness.
- Diagnosis necessitates symptoms lasting at least six months.
Conduct Disorder (CD)
- Marked by aggressive behavior, rule violations, deceitfulness, and destruction of property.
- Diagnosis involves a pattern of behavior violating the rights of others or major societal norms.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Involves excessive fear or anxiety related to separation from attachment figures.
- Symptoms must be developmentally inappropriate and last for at least four weeks in children and adolescents.
Specific Learning Disorders
- Characterized by difficulties in reading, writing, or mathematics that do not align with age or intellectual capabilities.
- Diagnosis requires persistent challenges for at least six months despite targeted interventions.
Tourette Syndrome
- Defined by multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic.
- Tics must be present for more than one year, with onset before age 18.
Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder (Stuttering)
- Involves disturbances in normal fluency and speech time patterns.
- Symptoms must cause anxiety or restrict effective communication.
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
- Symptoms include inhibited, emotionally withdrawn behavior toward caregivers.
- The child rarely seeks or responds to comfort when distressed.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Characterized by severe temper outbursts and a persistently irritable or angry mood.
- Symptoms must persist for 12 months and occur in at least two different settings (e.g., home and school).

Steps to Diagnose These Disorders

Clinical Interview
- Conduct interviews with the child, parents, and teachers to obtain detailed behavioral information.
Behavioral Assessments
- Use standardized behavioral checklists and rating scales to measure the severity and frequency of symptoms.
Observation
- Observe the child in various settings to assess interactions with the environment and peers.
Developmental History
- Review developmental milestones and any prior medical or psychological issues affecting the child.
Psychological Testing
- Administer cognitive and educational assessments to rule out intellectual disabilities or specific learning issues.
Medical Evaluation
- Perform a physical examination to exclude any medical conditions potentially causing the symptoms.

Treatment Options

Behavioral Therapy
- Incorporates techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address various symptoms and behaviors.

Description

This quiz covers various common childhood and adolescent disorders such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and Separation Anxiety Disorder. It will test your knowledge on the characteristics, diagnosis, and symptoms of these conditions.