Child and Adolescent Disorders Overview

Overview of Child Disorders

  • Introduction to Disorders
    • Brief mention of disorders discussed (Eating disorders, elimination disorders)
    • Importance of understanding childhood disorders as they relate to development

Eating Disorders in Children

  • Pica

    • Definition: Eating non-food items (e.g., dirt, paint)
    • Risks: Potential lead poisoning from lead-based paint
    • Association: Common in children with intellectual disabilities or developmental disorders
    • Causes: Related to cravings for minerals, often iron

  • Rumination Disorder

    • Definition: Regurgitating and re-chewing food
    • Commonality: Not uncommon in young children and children with intellectual disabilities or autism
    • Risks: Aspiration due to regurgitation
    • Clarification: Distinction between typical behavior in children and concerning behavior in adults

Elimination Disorders

  • Nocturnal Enuresis (Bedwetting)

    • Occurrence: Common during toilet training; can indicate issues if persistent
    • Possible Causes: Infections, psychological factors (e.g., bullying, sexual abuse)

  • Diurnal Enuresis

    • Definition: Daytime wetting
    • Causes: Similar to nocturnal, plus potential physical issues

  • Secondary Enuresis

    • Definition: Occurs after a period of bladder control
    • Possible Causes: Psychological factors or physical problems

  • Encopresis

    • Definition: Involuntary defecation after achieving bowel control
    • Causes: Physical issues or psychological factors, including trauma or stress

Intellectual Disabilities

  • Classification

    • Categories: Mild, moderate, severe (based on IQ)

  • Detection

    • Importance of monitoring developmental milestones
    • Need for testing if milestones are not met

  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

    • Definition: Resulting from alcohol use during pregnancy
    • Impact: Can cause physical birth defects and behavioral/psychological issues depending on substance use

Learning Disorders

  • Dyslexia
    • Definition: Specific reading disability characterized by trouble with word recognition and decoding
  • Dyscalculia
    • Definition: Difficulty with mathematics and number-related tasks
  • Dysgraphia
    • Definition: Challenges with writing tasks

Communication Disorders

  • Phonological Processing Disorder

    • Definition: Difficulty understanding and processing sounds in language
    • Explanation: Distinction between hearing and brain processing; may often be misunderstood

  • Expressive Language Disorder

    • Definition: Difficulty expressing thoughts verbally despite ability to understand them

  • Stuttering

    • Brief mention without extensive details

Other Developmental Disorders

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

    • Characteristics: Varied levels of social interaction, communication, and behavior issues
    • Personal anecdotes shared regarding social challenges in children with autism

  • Rett Syndrome

    • Definition: Initially normal development followed by loss of acquired skills

  • Schizophrenia

    • Rarity of diagnosis in children; uncommon under 13 years old

Assessment of Child Disorders

  • Assessment Techniques

    • Importance of therapeutic communication tailored to children
    • Use of play and appropriate language for the child's developmental stage

  • Importance of Parental Involvement

    • Engaging parents to understand the child's environment and behavior

Planning and Goals for Treatment

  • Individualized Goals
    • Setting achievable, measurable goals tailored to the child's specific needs or disorders
  • Promoting Independence
    • Encouraging children to do as much for themselves as possible to foster autonomy

Adolescents with Disorders

  • Physical and Psychological Development

    • Transition from childhood: Internal and external challenges faced
    • Puberty influences behavior and relationships

  • Common Issues During Adolescence

    • Behavioral challenges including temper and mood changes
    • Cognitive development: move towards abstract thinking
    • Social influences: Peer relationships becoming paramount

Common Problems in Adolescence

  • Internal Conflicts

    • Exploration of identity and personal beliefs

  • External Factors

    • Issues such as sleep disturbances, bullying, gang influence, and substance abuse

Behavioral Disorders in Adolescence

  • ADHD and Conduct Disorder

    • Continuation of ADHD into adolescence, potential for late diagnoses
    • Conduct Disorder: Early signs that may lead to antisocial personality disorders

  • Anxiety and Depression

    • Growing prevalence; symptoms manifest differently than in adults

  • Eating Disorders

    • Common types: Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating

  • Substance Use

    • Stages of chemical dependency; often begins with social use leading to addiction

Gender Identity Disorder

  • Definition: Discomfort with assigned gender at birth
    • Understanding of gender dysphoria as recognized in preadolescents and adolescents
    • Societal implications: How it affects individuals during this stage

Suicide and Mental Health in Adolescents

  • Risk Factors
    • Increased rates of suicide; correlation with mental health and substance use
  • Signs
    • Changes in behavior, mood swings, withdrawal from activities
  • Preventative Measures
    • Importance of open communication regarding mental health

Issues in Late Adulthood

Aging and Its Impact

  • Physical Changes
    • Body deterioration, loss of independence, and changes in lifestyle
  • Mental Health Considerations
    • Depression should not be seen as a normal part of aging
  • Activity and Engagement
    • Maintaining physical and mental activities is critical to healthy aging

Social and Economic Issues

  • Healthcare and Insurance
    • Overview of Medicare and Medicaid; financial dependence can affect health outcomes
  • Coping with Loss
    • The impact of multiple losses in older adults and the subsequent need for intervention

Substance Use and Medication Concerns

  • Alcohol Use
    • Increase in alcohol dependency among older adults due to grief and loneliness
  • Medication Interactions
    • Caution required in prescribing; sensitivity to body’s ability to metabolize drugs

Abuse in Older Adults

  • Types of Abuse
    • Exploring domestic abuse and elder abuse, especially within care facilities

Coping Mechanisms for Mental Health

  • Importance of Routine
    • Sense of stability and familiarity
  • Engagement
    • Family involvement and social interaction to mitigate feelings of isolation

Assessing Older Adults

  • Tailored approach required to effectively communicate and assess needs

  • Respectful Treatment

    • Avoid simplistic language; maintain dignity in interactions with elderly patients.

  • Understanding Cultural Context

    • Acknowledge historical views on mental health to better engage older patients

Conclusion

  • Summary of Disorders
    • Emphasis on recognizing symptoms across age groups (childhood, adolescence, older adulthood)
  • Role of Interventions
    • Importance of tailored approaches in treatment, assessment, and interventions based on individuals' developmental stages and specific needs.