Disorders Tips
Read these 85 Disorders Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Emotional tips and hundreds of other topics.
ADHD Symptoms
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common and possibly over diagnosed childhood disorders today. It affects boys more than girls at a 4:1 or higher ratio.
ADHD typically develops before a child is seven with symptoms often becoming less severe with age. Often, a child with ADHD has been exposed to abuse or neglect, been through multiple placements or disruptions early in life, been exposed to toxins either through the environment or while in utero, or had a severe infection.
You may be interested in a book of strategies for working with ADHD. It can be found @ Working With AD/HD: A How To Manual.
Speech and Language Early Indicators of Autism
Speech and language indicators for Autism in children ages 24-36 months include: The child is mute or talks only intermittently, is echolalic (repeats words of others consistently), shows specific cognitive abilities (e.g., good rote memory, super puzzle skills), appears to be able to do things but refuses, leads adult by hand to communicate needs, and/or does not use speech for communication.
| Working With Autism: A "How To" Manual  | Online Class - CEU Credit! |
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by binge eating in which large quantities of food are consumed with a sense of urgency or loss of control, followed by purging in which the individual, typically a female, will force vomit, abuse laxatives, exercise excessively or follow a strict diet to counteract the effects of overeating. Depression and self-critical thoughts may follow the binge. Many individuals abuse diet pills, amphetamines, and caffeine. Symptoms include irregular menstrual cycles, loss of menstruation, muscle weakness or cramping, fatigue, dental problems, gastrointestinal problems, and intolerance of cold.
Hyperphagia
Hyperphagia is an eating disorder that can occur in conjunction with depression. It is rare, however, and typically affects young women or those with bipolar disorder. Hyperphagia simply means overeating and may include binge eating (bulimia).
Symptoms of Oppositional Defiance Disorder
Symptoms of Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)include:
- excessive anger
- temper tantrums
- defiance
- arguing with adults
- easily frustrated
- spitefulness/vindictiveness
- deliberately bothering others
- blaming others for own actions
- poor academic performance
For a comprehensive online course on working with children with ODD, please visit: Behavior Management: Winning the Battle!
Types of Conduct Disorder
There are two types of conduct disorder based on the age of onset of the disorder. The first is called childhood-onset, which the onset occurring prior to the age of 10. The second is called adolescent-onset with the onset of the disorder occurring after the age of 10.
For a comprehensive online course on working with children with early onset conduct disorder, visit: Behavior Management: Win the Battle!
Coprolalia
Coprolalia is the sudden, unexpected outburst of an inappropriate word or phrase. The outburst may include swear words, obscenitites, racial remarks, religious slurs, or other inappropriate words. Coprolalia is found in fewer than 10% of individuals with tic disorders and should not be confused with Copropraxia.
Anergia
Anergia is a term to describe loss of energy and it is commonly associated with depression. Depressed people often have fatigue and loss of energy. They may feel run down or that they have a vitamin deficiency. In many cases, the depression is worse in the morning and improves somewhat throughout the day.
For more information on Depression, visit Depression.
Pica
A child diagnosed with Pica persistently eats non-edible, or non-nutritional foods, such as sheet rock, paper, or articles found in nature that are typically not eaten by others in the child's cultural setting. Pica typically occurs in combination with another behavioral health disorder, such as Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Mental Retardation.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychologically distressing event that can occur at any age and from any number of reasons. Common reasons that trigger PTSD are child abuse, a natural disaster like a hurricane or fire, accidents, witnessing a horrible scene such as a murder, war, or other traumatic event. Most people with PTSD experience the event psychologically over and over again, or, they may avoid all thoughts and feelings about what happened. Sometimes people feel disconnected with reality and other people, have a hard time concentrating, and have physical side effects such as nausea, headaches, body aches, or other problems.
For more information on PTSD, visit PTSD.
Appetite Disturbance
Many people with depression suffer from appetite loss (anorexia) with, or without, weight loss. Some, especially young women, will also experience overeating (hyperphagia) or binge eating (bulimia).
Early Speech-Language Indicators of Autism in Children 6-12 Months
Autism can be identified and treated in even very young children. Speech-language indicators of Autism in children ages 6-12 months include the child: babbled at one time (bababa, mamama) but stopped, does not imitate sounds, gestures, or expressions, does not relate needs, and/or does not give objects when requested to do so.
| Working With Autism: A "How To" Manual |  Online Class - CEU Credits! |
Hospitalization for Anorexia?
An individual with Anorexia Nervosa may require hospitalization if the person's body weight reaches a loss of 30% or more, if there are medical complications such as electrolyte imbalance, or if the person is suicidal or in the midst of a family crisis.
Anhedonia
Anhedonia refers to a condition that is common to depression where it is difficult or impossible to derive pleasure from previously fun activities or events. Everyday activities such as eating, having sex, doing hobbies, playing in sports, or participating in family events suddenly become unattractive and uninviting.
Symptoms of Rett's Disorder
Rett's Disorder is a form of Autism, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder that only affects girls. Symptoms of Rett's Disorder include:
- Normal development during the first few months of life, followed by a rapid deterioration in development
- Loss of motor skills and coordination
- Deceleration of head growth
- Poor language and cognitive skills
- Stereotypical movements such as hand-wringing.
For more information on Rett's Disorder visit Rett's Disorder.
Auditory Figure-Ground Dysfunction
between auditory sounds in the environment, a common characteristic with Autism, Pervasive Development Disorder, and some Learning Disorders. One child once described it to me as having every channel of the radio on at the same level at the same time and trying to sort out what is being said or played on each station. In other words, a whistle from a far away train might be picked up by the brain at the same intensity and level as a television blaring in the same room.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a common type of a mood disorder that mimics symptoms of depression except that the disorder is strictly related to the season. With the onset of shorter days of sunlight, people with Seasonal Affective Disorder may experience sadness, hopelessness, lethargy, a loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, and a lose interest in typical events and activities that they once found worthwhile.
Tourette's Syndrome
Children with Tourette's Disorder have multiple motor and at least one or more vocal tics. These tics occur many times throughout the day and may be aggrevated by stress. For example, a have excessive eye blinking, whistle, make a strange noise, nod or twist the head repetitively to one side. Tourette's Disorder is often accompanied by Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. There is a high genetic correlation rate, however, the manifestation of the tic may vary between family members. A child with Tourette's Disorder often suffers self-esteem difficulties and ma be markedly distressed by the tics.
See also: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
Early Social Indicators of Autism in Children Ages 6-12 Months
Even very young children can be diagnosed and treated for Autism, in fact, the sooner a child is identified, the better the outcome. Early social indicators of Autism in children ages 6-12 months include the child:
not being affectionate, being difficult to engage in games, not waving "bye-bye", having no interest in toys, showing distress when mother leaves the room, having an absent or delayed social smile, not repeat activities that s/he enjoys, not extending toys to others, and/or not differentiating strangers from family.
If your child has these early indicators of Autism, you may want to seek professional help. For a book of strategies for working with children with Autism or PDD, you may be interested in: Working With Autism: A "How To" Manual.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is caused by an intense fear of being overweight and a pursuit of thinness through self-imposed starvation. Individuals with anorexia nervosa, mostly girls, have a distorted body image. Common symptoms of anorexia nervosa include extremely low body weight, loss of menstruation, excessive binging, eating and purging, depression, constipation, low heart rate, low blood pressure, swelling of hands, feet, and sometimes the nose and ears, dry skin, brittle nails, hair loss, and bizarre behaviors or thinking patterns, such as a preoccupatoin with or hoarding of food.
For more information on Anorexia and other eating disorders, visit Anorexia.
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity is an "over" reaction to sensory input from one of the senses (e.g., sight, sound, taste, smell, touch). A child that is tactile defensive is overly sensitive to touch. Many children with Autism are overly sensitive to sound. For example, they may hear a distant semi on the freeway, the dog barking next door, and the news on the radio all at the same volume as what is happening in the room while most of us tend to tune these background noises out.
Types of Eating Disorders
There are many types of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, pica rumination, feeding and eating disorders of infancy or early childhood. To find out more about these disorders, continue reading tips in this area.
Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder
Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADHD) include:
- Having difficulty concentrating or paying attention
- Being impulsive and lacking self-control
- Fidgeting or squirming when required to sit
- Being forgetful
- Having difficulty playing or staying engaged in play
- Talking excessively
- Have difficulty waiting turn
- Academic struggles
- Disrupted eating or sleeping patterns
You need not have all of the symptoms to be diagnosed with ADHD and symptoms vary from person to person.
Moderate Mental Retardation
An IQ of 35-40 to 50-55 is considered moderate retardation. Schools often call individuals with moderate retardation "trainable." Children with moderate retardation tend to grow up needing moderate supervision and assistance. They typically do not progress beyond a second-grade level in school, may have difficulty with communication and socializing, and can benefit greatly from vocational training.
Decreased Libido
Libido is a term that means sexual interest or energy. The libido is often decreased in someone who is suffering depression. In men, the most common symptom is impotence. Marital tensions often increase as a result. Unfortunately, many people are embarassed to talk to a doctor about a decreased libido. If you are experiencing this problem, seek help! There is treatment!
ODD & Language Delays
Approximately 80-85% of children diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder or Conduct Disorder also have language disorders. That brings to question which came first -- language disorders or behavior problems?
Early Indicators of Autism for Children Ages 12-24 Months
| Autism can be identified in very young children and the sooner it is identified, diagnosed, and treated, the better the prognosis for the child. Here are some sensory-motor indicators of Autism for children ages 12-24 months:
Child shows loss of previously acquired skills, is hyper- or hyposensitive to sight, sound, textures, tastes, seeks repetitive stimulation and/or shows repetitive mannerisms (e.g., hand flapping, whirling). | Online Course |
Early Speech-Language Indicators of Autism for Children Ages 12-24 Months
Autism can be identified in very young children and the sooner it is identified, diagnosed, and treated, the better the prognosis for the child. Here are some speech-language indicators of Autism for children ages 12-24 months:
Child has no speech, only occasional words, or stops talking, does not use gestures, repeats sounds noncommunicatively, and/or uses words inconsistently and not related to needs.
| Working With Autism: A "How To" Manual | Online Class - CEU Credit! |
Early Indicators of Autism
There are many early indicators of Autism in children under the age of three, but up until recently, we have lacked the knowledge and know-how of how to identify these children. Here are some indicators of concern:
Child does not babble (bababa, mamama) or gesture (point, wave) by 12 months of age. Child does not say single words by 16 months of age, and does not utter 2-word spontaneous phrases by 24 months. Also of concern is if the child loses language after having used it.
Treating Autism
Mild Retardation
An IQ of 50-55 to 70 is considered mild mental retardation, or what schools often term as "educable." Normal intelligence is between 80 and 120. Children with mild retardation tend to do fine in school with some assistance and grow up to live successful lives. Many, however, will need mild support, guidance, or supervision throughout their adult life.
Schizophrenia - Definition
Schizophrenia is a broad term encompassing a number of symptoms that may vary. Typically, it refers to a psychotic disorder characterized by loss of contact with the environment and disintegration of the personality. Symptoms may include: auditory hallucinations, imagined pains and illnesses, hearing one's own thoughts, believing something or someone is controlling thoughts, delusions, and believing one's actions are controlled from something on the outside. Schizophrenia usually occurs in young adulthood.
Depression and Heredity
According to the DSM-IV, major depression is 1.5-3 times more common among first degree biological relatives with the disorder than the general population.
Prevalence of Depression
Major depression is found in about 10-25% of women and 5-12% of men. This might be because women are more likely to seek help for a mental health disorder, however. There does not seem to be any correlation between depression and race, marital status, income, or education.
The Proprioceptive Sense
The Proprioceptive Sense helps us to be aware of where our body is in time and space, working closely with both the tactile and vestibular senses. Things go wrong when the proprioceptive sense does not properly perceive or process information through the muscles, connecting tissue, skin, and joints. A child with this dysfunction may appear clumsy, have difficulty sitting up without support, and lack confidence in motor activities.
Sleep Disturbance
Disturbed sleep patterns is a common problem experienced by people with depression. This might include difficulty falling asleep (early insomnia), tossing and turning, or waking too early (terminal insomnia).
Overcoming Depression
How to overcome depression largely depends on why you have the depression. Some people have chemical imbalances in their brain that can only be corrected by medication. Others, simply are at a stuck stage in their life, or overcoming a difficult situation or event. The weather, too, can cause depression if you live in a cold climate with little sun, AND depression can be caused by something medical, like an undetected disorder of the thyroid.
It is important to take a look at your situation and decide what has caused your depression and then seek appropriate help.
Types of Depression
There are many kinds of depression, including Major Depression Disorder, Dysthmic Disorder, Depressive Disorder NOS, Bipolar Disorder, Manic Depression Disorder, and many types of mood disorders, to name a few.
Definition of Mental Retardation
Mental Retardation refers to significant low general intelligence, or IQ, of 70 or below. An IQ of 80-120 is considered normal. General intelligence, or IQ, is typically assessed through one or more standardized tests. Common IQ tests used for children include the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children, Stanford-Binet, and Kauffman Assessment Battery for Children.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a specific type of anxiety disorder that includes persistent thoughts or impulses and compulsive behaviors. These behaviors may include such things as a persistent concern for germs, and obsessive hand washing, or needing for things to be exactly in their place, so obsessive straightening of objects. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can occur at any time in a lifetime.
For more information on OCD, visit OCD. A good maual on working with problem behavior go to Behavior Book
Prevalence of Oppositional Defiance Disorder
It is estimated that from 2-16% of children under the age of eight have oppositional defiance disorder. Some experts suggest that the number is much higher, somewhere between 10-25%. Approximately 80% of children diagnosed with oppositional defiance disorder will later be diagnosed with conduct disorder if intervention is not provided.
Course of Depression
Depression can occur at any age in an individual's life but is most likely to have an onset in the middle twenties. Likewise, depression may disappear in some people's lives, but not in other's. It does appear, however, that the length of the episodes are longer in early years rather than later. It does seem to end completely in about 2/3 of the cases.
Bipolar II
Bipolar 2 Disorder is distinguished from other forms of bipolar in that there has been at least one episode of hypo-mania (Please see Hypo-manic Episode). A person that was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 that suddenly had manic episodes or mixed episodes of manic and depression, would most likely be rediagnosed with Bipolar I. For a good book on BiPolar Disorder and Children, please read:
The Bipolar Child : The Definitive and...
Early Social Indicators for Autism Ages 12-24 Months
Autism can be identified in very young children and the sooner it is identified, diagnosed, and treated, the better the prognosis for the child. Here are some early social indicators of Autism for children ages 12-24 months:
Child seems withdrawn, does not seek comfort when distressed, may be overly distressed by separation, has no pretend play or unusual use of toys (e.g., spinning, flicking, or lining up objects), does not imitate, and/or has no interest in peers.
You may be interested in a book of strategies for working with children with Autism. It can be found @ Working with Autism: A "How To" Manual.
Symtpoms of Oppositional Defiance Disorder
Symptoms of Oppositional Defiance Disorder may include:
*Losing temper frequently and low tolerance for frustration
*Arguing, being angry and resentful
*Being spiteful or vindictive
*Refusing to follow adult direction or rules
*Deliberately bothering other people
*Blaming others for own mistakes
In 80% of the cases where a child is identified as having Oppositional Defiance Disorder, without intervention, the child will go on to commit a crime in adolescence or adulthood.
Symptoms of Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental health complaints in American today. If you are suffering depression, know that you are not alone. Symptoms include a depressed mood, anxiety, sleep disturbances, appetite disturbance, loss of energy, loss of libido, psychomotor difficulties, suicidal thoughts, guilt, worthlessness, and bodily complaints to name a few. You need not have all of these symptoms to be diagnosed as being depressed.
The good news is that there is treatment for depression. If you think you might be depressed, contact your family doctor for a proper referral.
Speech-Language Early Indicators of Autism in Children Ages 36-60 Months
The sooner young children can be diagnosed and treated for Autism, the better the outcome. Early speech-language indicators of Autism in children ages 36-60 include:
The child has no speech, is echolalic (repeats what everyone else says), has pronoun reversal, shows abnormal tone and/or rhythm in speech, does not volunteer information or initiate conversation, and may ask repetitive questions you have already answered.
If you have concerns about a child that has these symptoms, you might want to refer the child and/or family to professional help.
Conduct Disorder
Children with Conduct Disorder tend to show a persistent pattern of violating the social norms and rules of others. Many children with Conduct Disorder were diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder during their early childhood years. Eighty percent of children with these diagnoses will go on to develop Conduct Disorder, and Conduct Disorder is strongly correlated with Antipersonality Disorder in adults.
Conduct Disorder may be caused by abuse or neglect, parental rejection, inconsistent parenting, frequently or lengthy disruption in the early years of life, an association with delinquent peer groups, or parental absence.
Symptoms of Conduct Disorder may include:
- aggression
- poor self-esteem
- substance abuse
- sexually inappropriate behavior
- poor frustration tolerance
- temper outbursts
- anxiety
- depression
- recklessness
- poor academic achievement
- impulsivity
- being cruel to people and others
- destruction of property
- truancy
- running away
- steeling
- fighting, bullying, threatening others
Profound Mental Retardation
An IQ below 20-25 is considered to be profound mental retardation and most children diagnosed with this tend to also have neurological conditions that account for the mental retardation. These children will grow up to need a structured environment with constant care.
The Vestibular Sense
The vestibular sense is necessary in every day life in that it gives us information about where our body is in time and space. It lets us know which way is up and which way is down and helps us maintain balance and coordination. When the vestibular sense is not functioning at an appropriate level, it can affect our gravitational pull, movement, balance, muscle tone, motor planning, coordination, language, vision, and emotional security. To find out more about Sensory Integration Dysfunction, visit the link section of this site.
Talking About Suicide
It was once believed that if a person talked about committing suicide, s/he would not actually do it. This is not true. In the majority of cases of suicide, the person talked about committing suicide before actually attempting it.
Oppositional Defiance Disorder
Children with Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) tend to follow a negative pattern of behavior that is hostile and defiant but without serious aggression. ODD is often associated with poor learning and communication skills and frequently is associated with disruption in the early years, inconsistent or absence of a parent, and adverse living conditions.
For an online course of working with children with difficult behavior, please visit: Behavior Management: Winning the Battle!
Auditory Integration Training
Auditory Integration Training is a method of introducing programmed sounds as a way of retraining a person's auditory processing system. This type of training is believed to improve listening and communication skills, learning, motor planning, and social skills.
Risks of Pica
Children with Pica, a Rummination Disorder where children do not discriminate between edible and non-edible foods, have a high incidence of poisoning. They also risk perforation or obstruction of the gastrointestinal system.
Early Social Indicators of Autism in Children Ages 36-60 Months
The sooner young children with Autism are identified and treated, the better the outcome. Early social indicators of Autism in children ages 36-60 months include: child not initiating play with other children, becoming upset by changes in the environment, and/or a delay or absence of make-believe play.
If you know a child with these early indicators, you may want to have the family seek professional help. You may also be interested in this book of strategies for working with children with Autism: Working With Autism: A "How To" Manual.
Causes of Anorexia Nervosa
We are unsure of the causes behind Anorexia. Some speculate that society's obsession with thinness has caused distorted body images in some individuals. Others speculate that an individual with Anorexia has too rigid perfectionism issues or issues of control. Still others blame the problem on a self-absorbed parent who cannot help the child learn to attend to his or her own emotional needs.
Mood Disorders, What Are They?
Mood disorders refer to a disturbance in mood with other symptoms that occur for a duration of time. There are many types of mood disorders, including Bipolar disorder, depression, cyclothymic disorder, dysthymic disorder, and seasonal affect disorder. There are even many different types of Bipolar Disorder under the category of mood disorders. You can find out more about each specific mood disorder by checking other tips under this category.
Bipolar I vs Bipolar II
There are many types of bipolar disorder. If you have been diagnosed with bipolar I, it simply means you have only had, or are in, one episode of manic, or a mixed manic-depressive episode that is not associated with schizophrenia, delusion disorder, psychotic disorder, or drug inducement. Bipolar II Disorder is a label used when symptoms are hypomanic, meaning, there has been an episode lasting at least 4 days where your mood was elevated, expansive, or irritable, with specific symptoms present (please see Hypo-manic). For a good book on Bipolar Disorder and children, read: The Bipolar Child : The Definitive and...
Rumination Disorder
Children with Rumination Disorder have frequent bouts of regurgitating and rechewing their food not associated with another medical disorder. Rumination Disorder is not associated with nausea, retching, or disgust, but seems to be associated with pleasure. The onset of Rumination Disorder typically occurs during the first 3-12 months of age, and is manifested by the child straining and bending into an arching position with head held back. The child then regurgitates and rechews already swallowed food while appearing to derive satisfaction from the procedure.
Over time, the child typically losses weight or fail to gain weight and can easily become malnourished.
See also: Feeding Disorders of Infancy or Early Childhood and Pica.
Depression and Anxiety
Most individuals with depression also experience anxiety, or the inner distress of dread, fear, anticipation of danger, along with symptoms of sweating, palpitations, or butterflies in the stomach.
Hyposensitivity
Hyposensitivity is when the central nervous system does not register enough input from the senses (e.g., sight, sound, touch, smell, taste). Children who are hyposensitive to kinesthetic movement, for example, tend to slump against walls for support, run into other children, wrestle and fall a lot, or appear hyperactive. This extra movement gives them the craved sensory input that most people pick up through ordinary daily activities.
Treatment for Anorexia
Treatment of Anorexia is difficult. The first goal is to improve nutritional intake, to stablize any medical conditions, and then to reverse the psychological disturbances that caused the self-starvation behavior in the first place.
Definition of Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is defined as: "The repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the rights of others are violated or social norms are not followed." What that means is a whole lot of trouble. A child diagnosed with conduct disorder typically is aggressive, threatens others, may do physical harm to others, steals, makes poor grades in school, has difficulty keeping a job, and may be violent at times and have a difficult time controlling anger. A great website for finding out more about conduct disorder is Mental Health. And do not forget to check out my books section for information as well.
Hypomanic Episode
According to the DSM-IV (1994)the term Hypo-manic Episode refers to an episode lasting at least 4 days where symptoms of an elevated or irritable mood persisted that may include:
- inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
- decreased need for sleep
- excessively talkative
- racing thoughts and ideas
- increased goal-directed activity
- excessive involvement in pleasurable activities.
To meet the criteria of hypo-manic, there are other considerations to make as well that are best determined by a mental health specialist.
For more information on Bipolar, visit Bipolar.
Sensory-motor Indicators of Autism in Children Ages 24-26 Months
Autism can be identified, diagnosed, and treated in even very young children. Sensory-motor indicators for Autism in children ages 24-26 months are:
The child shows unusual sensitivity to stimuli (e.g., sight, sound, smells, etc.), has repetitive motor mannerisms, and/or is hyper- or hypoactive.
| Working With Autism: A "How To" Manual | Online Class - CEU Credit! |
Causes of Bulimia Nervosa
The cause of Bulimia Nervosa is not well understood. Some believe the individual may have an underlying personality disorder. Others believe the disorder is related to a disrupted or distorted relationship with the mother.
Indicators of Autism in Children Ages 0-6 Months
Autism can be identified and diagnosed in children as young as under the age of six months. Here are some of early sensory-motor indicators:
The child persistently rocks back and forth with body or head, or the child inconsistently responds to stimuli, such as sights, sounds, or having his/her name called.
For a book of strategies for working with children with Autism or PDD, please visit: Working With Autism: A "How To" Manual.
Early Indicators of Autism in Children Ages 36-60 Months
Autism can be identified, diagnosed, and treated in even very young children. Some early sensory-motor indicators of Autism in children ages 36-60 months are include the child displaying repetitive behaviors that suddenly decrease or stop, or, the child does not play make believe with toys.
For a book of strategies for working with children with Autism or PDD, please visit: Working With Autism: A How To Manual
The Autism Spectrum
People are often confused about Autism and whether or not it is the same thing as Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) and/or Asperger's Disorder. But Autism is actually a subcategory under an umbrella term called Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD).
Other disorders under the PDD umbrella include: Rhett's Disorder (which is specific to girls), Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, PDD-NOS (Not Otherwise Specified), and Autism. For a wonderful book on working with children with Autism successfully, read:The Child With Special Needs :...
Tactile Sense
Tactile perception, or the processing of touch, is an important function of our body. After all, touch is one of the most important senses for learning about the world around us. Sometimes, however, things go wrong with how the central nervous system processes touch. The brain may not register enough input causing a child to be overly rowdy, physical, or clingy. If the brain registers too much input, the child may show tendencies of tactile defensiveness. How the brain processes touch influences how we learn, our awareness of our body in space and time, visual perception, motor planning, academic learning, and social learning.
ADD/ADHD in the Classroom
To help a child with ADD/ADHD learn to control impulsive and/or hyperactive behavior, provide consistency, structure, and routine (keeping your schedule pretty much the same from day to day even on weekends). Providing a structured environment actually helps the child develop cognitive structures that will help control behavior.
You may be interested in a book that includes strategies for working with children with ADHD. It can be found @ Working with AD/HD: A How to Booklet.
Aspergers Disorder
Asperger's Disorder has many of the characteristics of Autism except that a child diagnosed as having Asperger's Disorder may have seemingly normal communication and/or cognitive development. A child with Asperger's Disorder often has a marked impairment in social development and may not use language in a socially appropriate way or with cognitive understanding of the social significance of language used.
Symptoms of Asperger's Disorder include:
- language delay
- social delays
- repetitious or stereotypical behaviors
- poor eye contact
- lack of spontaneity
- lack of social language through gestures and body language.
For more information on Asperger's Disorder, visit Asperger's Disorder.
Autism to Degrees
Although Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children can have any combination of behaviors, and to varying degrees. That is why even though two children may both be diagnosed with Autism, they may act and look differently.
You might be interested in a book of strategies for working with chidlren with Autism or PDD. It can be found @ Autism: A "How To" Manual.
Early Social Indicators of Autism in Children Ages 0-6 Months
Autism can be identified and diagnosed in children as young as under the age of six months. Here are some of early social indicators of Autism:
The child does not respond when mother enters the room, does not quiet or comfort when held, has poor or absent eye contact, or and/or fails to respond to mother's attention or toys.
For a book of strategies for working with children with Autism or PDD, please visit: Working With Autism: A How To Manual.
Parent Beware
Twelve percent of parents of children who were later identified as having Autism indicated they noticed some sort of developmental delay or "slow" development in their child during the first few months of life. Seventeen percent of the parents said their child showed disturbances of movement that were detected as early as 4-6 months.
Symptoms of Conduct Disorder
Individuals with conduct disorder tend to have little empathy or concern for the rights, feelings, wishes, or well-being of others. They may be aggressive and hostile, threatening others, acting tough, and showing little remorse. Typically, these individuals have a low frustration tolerance, have poor self-esteem, and may have difficulty at work or school. They may also engage in sexual misconduct and have a higher rate of suicide than the general population.
You may be interested in taking an online course on working with children with severe behavior problems @ Behavior Management: Win the Battle!.
Anxiety Disorders, What Are They?
There are many types of anxiety disorders, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder with and without agoraphobia, phobias, and others. An anxiety disorder refers to any of a number of exaggerated responses in emotions, thought processes, or movement. The anxiety can be expressed in a number of ways, such as headaches, colds, body aches, and other recurring problems.
Early Indicators of Autism in Children Ages 6-12 Months
Autism can be diagnosed in children under the age of one year. Here are some early indicators for children ages 6-12 months:
The child shows uneven motor development, has difficulty tolerating textures in food or clothing, does not hold objects or shows unusual attachment to objects, appears to be deaf, is preoccupied with fingers, and/or is over/under reactive to sensory stimuli.
Alexithymia, What is It?
Alexithymia is not really a recognized disorder, but rather, a term that describes certain behaviors. It was coined in 1972 by Peter Sifneos from the Greek language and literally means having no words for emotions (a=lack, lexis=word, thymos=emotions).
Early Speech-Language Indicators of Autism in Children Ages 0-6 Months
Autism can be identified and diagnosed in children as young as under the age of six months. Here are some early speech-language indicators:
The child has no vocalization, cries are not related to needs, and/or does not react differentially to adult voices.
For a book of strategies for working with children with Autism or PDD, please visit: Working With Autism: A "How To" Manual.
Severe Mental Retardation
An IQ of 20-25 to 35-40 is considered severe mental retardation. Children with severe mental retardation typically do not develop language or have very poor language skills. They can be trained in self-help skills and survival skills and be taught to perform simple tasks under supervision.
Phobic Disorder (Phobia)
A phobic disorder, or phobia, is a condition where irrational fears persist over time. For example, a person may have a fear of flying, of crowds, or of insects that are typically unfounded. Most phobic disorders appear during late adolescence or early adulthood, but can occur at other ages as well.
Definition of Oppositional Defiance Disorder
Oppositional Defiance Disorder is the reoccurring pattern in a child of defiance, disobedience, hostility, negative attitude, and lack of respect for authorities that has persisted for at least six months. Other behaviors may include deliberately doing things to annoy others, being spiteful, resentful, or vindictive, having difficulty in school or work, and refusing to comply with the directions or rules of adults.
Fragile X Syndrome Definition
Fragile X Syndrome describes a set of symptoms that can include: mental retardation, facial anomalies, communication disorders, behavior disorders, social disorders, and delays in fine and gross motor skills. It is caused by an abnormality of the X Chromosome.
Copropraxia
Copropraxia is a sudden bodily response that is either vulgar, sexual, or obscene. A person with copropraxia might have the persistent need to swear, give someone the finger, or make an inappropriate sexual comment. It is quite similar to another tic disorder called Coprolalia.
Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. About 10-25% of those with depression seek treatment. Because depression comes in a variety of forms and is caused by a variety of factors, it is important to seek the appropriate care. If you are experiencing depression, your family doctor should know best where to refer you.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Mary White |
