Idea Transcript
Understanding Developmental Problems: Assessment and Diagnosis Claire D. Coles, Ph.D. Department of Psychiatry Emory University School of Medicine and Marcus Autism Center
Dr. Coles’ Affiliations
Fetal Alcohol Center, at the Marcus Center of Children’s Health Care of Atlanta
Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
Many, different, developmental and behavior problems are noted in children and adolescents
Goals of Presentation Talk
about the assessment process, including who, what, why, how
Review
Common Developmental and Behavioral Diagnoses given to children
Discuss
the treatment implications of these diagnoses
The Context of Development
Why do problems occur for children?
Why do we need to understand the context of development?
How does this understanding affect diagnosis, treatment and educational intervention?
What Scientists Believe About Development: – Development is a bottom-up process. – Newly acquired skills, information, or understanding are integrated with prior learning. – Development does not occur in isolation. It is impacted by the environment (caregivers, peers, culture, experience, etc.). – Development does progress consistently. But there are periods of rapid and less rapid growth. – There are Individual Differences in the rate – Learning occurs through out the lifespan but maturation in completed after adolescence.
nonoptimal
typical
Outcomes
Post Natal Experience
Birth
Normal development
Conception
optimal
nonoptimal
typical
optimal
Outcomes
Post Natal Experience Postnatal Experience
Development affected by Disabling condition and by Postnatal Environment
Birth Prenatal
Conception
Genetic, Teratogenic or Environmental Factor
Etiological Conditions Associated with Developmental/Educational Problems
Genetic disorders-(e.g., Downs syndrome, Fragile X) Prenatal Exposures (e.g., alcohol, cigarettes, lead, PCBs) Perinatal conditions-(e.g., premature birth, birth trauma) Postnatal events-(e.g., infections, head trauma) Postnatal environment-(e.g., parental substance abuse, abuse, neglect, institutionalization)
Conditions associated with Developmental/Educational Problems
Psychiatric conditions (e.g., autism, depression, PTSD, ADHD) Learning disabilities (e.g., “dyslexia”, NVLD) Mental Retardation (e.g., IQ130= superior ability-98th percentile IQ