Developmental Disorders - Assignment Example

Developmental Disorders Template Instructions: Complete each of the following two tables found on pages 2 of this template. Autistic Disorder Symptoms of Impaired Social Interaction List the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) symptoms under the category, “impaired social interaction.” 1. Marked impairment in the use of multiple non verbal behaviors like eye contact. 2. Failure to strike peer relationships appropriate with developmental stage. 3. lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests or achievements with others 4. Lack of social or emotional reprocity. Symptoms of Impaired Communication List the DSM-IV-TR symptoms under the category, “impaired communication.” 1. Delay or total absence of development of spoken language and a lack of compensation through other modes of communication-gestures. 2. In individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in ability to initiate and sustain a conversation with others. 3. Repetitive and stereotyped use of language or peculiar language. 4. Lack of varied and spontaneous make belief play or social initiative play appropriate with developmental stage. Symptoms of Repetitive or Stereotyped Behavior List the DSM-IV-TR symptoms under the category, “repetitive or stereotyped behavior.” 1. Encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotypes and restricted patterns of interest that is peculiar either in intensity or focus. 2. Apparently inflexible adherence to specific, non functional routines or rituals. 3. Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms like hand twisting or complex whole body movement. 4. Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects. Gender Differences Identify at least two gender differences in the prevalence of autism. 1. Autism is 4-5 times higher in males than in females (DSM IV-TR) 2. Males are four times likely to develop autism than females (Skuse,2000) Possible Causes Identify at least three possible causes of autism. 1. Genetic factors have been flagged as possible causes of Autism. In studies of monozygotic twins, when one is autistic likelihood that the other twin will be autistic is at 90 per cent. In the case of fraternal twins, likelihood that the other twin will be autistic is 2 to 3 per cent. 2. Vaccines have also been attributed as a cause of autism. The timing of introduction, the number of administrations and increased numbers of vaccines administered to young children trigger the onset of autism due to the sensitivity of the immune system of infants. 3. A vaccine preservative-thimerosal, which is 49 per cent ethyl mercury, is a cause of autism. Symptoms of autism caused by mercury are similar to symptoms of mercury poisoning. Autistic brain neurotransmitters are similar to those of mercury exposure (Ratajczack, 2011) Evidence-Based Treatments Identify at least two treatments proven effective by research. 1. Autism can be treated through Behavior Modification Programs which are meant to treat inappropriate and repetitive behavior in people with autism and to equip them with skills to cope in their environments. 2. Communication therapy is a form of treatment meant for children who are unable to communicate and to initiate development in them. Sources List your sources/references here (at least two academic sources are required). Be sure to include in-text citations within your responses in the table. 1.American Psychiatry Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Text Revision. Washington DC: American Psychiatry Association. 2. Ratajczak, H. (2011). Theoretical Aspects of Autism: Causes. Journal of Immunitoxicology , 68-79. 3. Skuse, D. (2000). Imprinting the X Cgromomse and The Male Brain: Expaining Sex Diffferences in The Liability to Autism. Paediatric Research . Asperger’s Disorder (ASD) Symptoms of Impaired Social Interaction List the DSM-IV-TR symptoms under the category, “impaired social interaction.” 1. Marked impairment in the use of multiple non verbal behaviors like eye contact. 2. Failure to strike peer relationships appropriate with developmental stage. 3. lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests or achievements with others 4. Lack of social or emotional reprocity. Symptoms of Repetitive or Stereotyped Behavior List the DSM-IV-TR symptoms under the category, “repetitive or stereotyped behavior.” 1. Encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotypes and restricted patterns of interest that is peculiar either in intensity or focus. 2. Apparently inflexible adherence to specific, non functional routines or rituals. 3. Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms like hand twisting or complex whole body movement. 4. Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects. Gender Differences Identify at least one gender difference in the prevalence of Asperger’s disorder. 1. Asperger’s disorder is found in a ratio of 11:1 for males to females (Baron-Cohen et al, 2011) Possible Causes Identify at least two possible causes of Asperger’s disorder. 1. Asperger’s disorder is caused by genetic factors. Researchers believe that some genes that a child inherits from their parents make them more vulnerable to Asperger’s disorder. Asperger’s disorder also runs in families and younger siblings of children with Asperger’s disorder are likely to develop it as adults. 2. Environmental factors have also been seen as a cause of Asperger’s disorder when paired with genetic factors. When an individual is vulnerable to Asperger’s disorder, environmental factors may trigger the disorder in the individual. 3. Health conditions such as Fragile X Syndrome and Rett Syndrome make an individual more vulnerable to Asperger’s disorder (Giarelli, et al., 2010). Evidence-Based Treatments Identify at least two treatments proven effective by research. 1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is proven to be effective in treating Asperger’s Disorder. This includes strategies to control emotions and decrease obsessive and repetitive actions. 2. Behavioral Therapy which seeks to modify problem behavior and support positive/ desired behavior (Toth & King, 2008) Sources List your sources/references here (at least two academic sources are required). Be sure to include in-text citations within your responses in the table. 1. American Psychiatry Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Text Revision. Washington DC: American Psychiatry Association. 2. Cohen, S. B., Lombardo, M. V., Ashwin, E., Chakrabarti, B., & Knickmeyer, R. (2011). Why are Autism Spectrum Conditions Prevalent in Males. PLOS Biology . 3. Giarelli, E., Wiggins, L. D., Rice, C. E., Levy, S. E., Kirby, R. S., Martin, J. P., et al. (2010). Sex Differences in the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders among Children. Disability and Health Journal , 107-116. 4. Toth, K., & King, B. H. (2008). Aspergers Syndrome: Diagnosis and Treatement. American Journal of Psychiatry . Asperger’s Disorder as a Form of Autism: Agree or Disagree? Instructions: The upcoming DSM-5 proposes moving Asperger’s disorder into the autism category and addressing it as a mild form of autism. There are many critics of this change to the DSM-IV-TR, which places them in separate categories, indicating that Asperger’s is not a form of autism. After completing the required reading for this module, take a position (in at least 300 words) on whether you believe that Asperger’s disorder is a high-functioning (mild) form of autism, or that it belongs in its own category as a disorder separate from autism. Support your decision with information from academic sources and cite those sources in APA format. I disagree with the notion that Asperger’s Disorder is a mild form of Autism. Individuals suffering with autism have delayed or a complete lack of spoken language and do not compensate this with other modes of communication. On the other hand, individuals with Asperger’s disorder are quite able to speak and even when faced with abnormalities with communication there are compensation actions like mimes or gestures (DSM IV TR). Asperger’s Disorder belongs in its own category from autism without which treatment of Asperger’s Disorder will be undermined. Asperger’s syndrome can be differentiated from autism through the examination of early childhood development through which some characteristics found in autism can be eliminated. Factors such as early language development and cognitive skills are not delayed in children with Asperger’s disorder. Individuals with Higher Functioning Autism and Asperger’s disorder have above average intelligence but it is important to keep in mind that symptoms of High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s disorder are similarly manifested and may be treated the same way (Attwood, 2013), . However, the differentiating characteristic is that High Functioning Autism diagnosis needs that during a child’s early development they experienced delayed language development whereas for Asperger’s disorder the child did not have delayed language development. The profile of a child with Asperger’s disorder is less likely to feature motor mannerisms and preoccupation with parts of objects as is evident in autism. Additionally, children with autism are self isolated or rigid in social situations while Asperger’s disorder there maybe motivations to socialize which is achieved through highly eccentric one sided interactions (Attwood, 2013). There is agreement that Asperger’s disorder may not be vividly manifested during early childhood and only diagnosed when they start school at the age of years. This is in sharp contrast o autism are easily recognized through their delay in cognitive and verbal abilities from infancy into childhood. Therefore, it is important that Asperger’s disorder be maintained in a separate category from autism due to the differential diagnosis of the symptoms of the two mental disorders. American Psychiatry Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Text Revision. Washington DC: American Psychiatry Association. Attwood, T. (2003). Is There A Difference Between aspergers Syndrome and High Functioning Autism. References American Psychiatry Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Text Revision. Washington DC: American Psychiatry Association. Cohen, S. B., Lombardo, M. V., Ashwin, E., Chakrabarti, B., & Knickmeyer, R. (2011). Why are Autism Spectrum Conditions Prevalent in Males. PLOS Biology . Giarelli, E., Wiggins, L. D., Rice, C. E., Levy, S. E., Kirby, R. S., Martin, J. P., et al. (2010). Sex Differences in the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders among Children. Disability and Health Journal , 107-116. Ratajczak, H. (2011). Theoretical Aspects of Autism: Causes. Journal of Immunitoxicology , 68-79. Skuse, D. (2000). Imprinting the X Cgromomse and The Male Brain: Expaining Sex Diffferences in The Liability to Autism. Paediatric Research . Toth, K., & King, B. H. (2008). Aspergers Syndrome: Diagnosis and Treatement. American Journal of Psychiatry . Read More