Question 1

Professor Waddell's class discusses the controversy of medicating children. Professor Waddell says, "The controversy continues about the 'quick fix' nature of the medication prescribed to children and the tendency to use medication without first attempting psychotherapy or home/academic interventions. Another part of the controversy is the need to test the medications prescribed for youths on youths. Additionally, parents are concerned about the legislation that requires schools to recommend that their children be evaluated for ADHD. Because of this controversy, medication prescriptions for children and adolescents have dramatically decreased." With respect to Professor Waddell's statement, it is correct to say that a controversy exists concerning ____.

Accepted Answer

The controversy exists concerning the 'quick fix' nature of the medication and prescribed to children and the tendency to use medication without first attempting psychotherapy or home/academic interventions.

Question 2

Which disorder is characterized by the DSM-5 as qualitative impairment in social interaction and/or communication; restricted, stereotyped interests and activities; and delays or abnormal functioning in a major area before the age of three?

Accepted Answer

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by the DSM-5 as having impairments in social interaction and communication, restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, and symptoms that must be present in the early developmental period (typically before age three). This description does not apply to intellectual disability, amnestic dissociative disorder, or learning disorder, which have different diagnostic criteria.

Question 3

It is rare for children with autism spectrum disorder to ____.

Accepted Answer

Children with autism spectrum disorder often struggle with social interactions, including making eye contact, whereas becoming obsessive about routines, exhibiting self-stimulatory behaviors, and showing intense interest in inanimate objects are common characteristics of the condition.

Question 4

Which statement about psychopathology among children and adolescents in the United States is accurate ?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 22 percent of children in the United States are estimated to suffer from a diagnosable mental or addictive disorder that causes at least some impairment. This statistic highlights the significant prevalence of emotional or behavioral problems among children and adolescents in the country.

Question 5

Ricky sits in his bed and rocks back and forth for hours while staring off into space. In order to reduce this self-stimulating behavior, a therapist would likely use ____.

Accepted Answer

Pivotal response treatment is a form of therapy often used to address behaviors in individuals with autism, including self-stimulating behaviors like rocking. It focuses on pivotal areas of a child's development, such as motivation and response to multiple cues, which can lead to significant improvements in communication, social skills, and behavior.

Question 6

Jason's mother claims that he can multiply large numbers in his head. She says he can figure out, for example, what day of the week it was on February 2, 1846. However, Jason was tested for intelligence and his IQ scored was below 70. What is a reasonable response to Jason's mother?

Accepted Answer

Jason's mother describes him as having a specific exceptional skill (calculating large numbers in his head and possibly determining days of the week for historical dates), which is consistent with the concept of "splinter skills." These are skills that are significantly higher than expected for a person's general level of intelligence or abilities, and they can sometimes be observed in individuals on the autism spectrum. The mention of his IQ being below 70 suggests he has a significant cognitive impairment in most areas, making the presence of such a specific high-level skill noteworthy and aligning with the characteristics of some individuals with autism who have splinter skills.

Question 7

Which disorder does not fit with the others?

Accepted Answer

Childhood disintegrative disorder is a rare condition that involves late-onset developmental delays, whereas the others are more common neurodevelopmental disorders.

Question 8

A child with autism spectrum disorder is observed interacting with his parents in a room full of toys. We are likely to see the child ____.

Accepted Answer

Children with autism spectrum disorder often struggle with social interactions and communication, which includes making eye contact. This can be observed in various settings, including while playing with toys in the presence of their parents.

Question 9

Professor Kiley was contrasting childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders with adult disorders. Which of his statements is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A thorough understanding of normal child development and the specific risk factors and symptoms of childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment, as these can differ significantly from adult disorders.

Question 10

When a child has a disorder that involves impaired development of the brain and central nervous system as well as affects psychological functioning in areas of social interaction, communication skills, and display of stereotyped interests and behaviors, the disorder is called a ____.

Accepted Answer

Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of conditions that include impairments of the brain and central nervous system affecting psychological functioning, social interaction, communication skills, and often involve stereotyped interests and behaviors. This description fits the characteristics of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder.

Question 11

Tyrel was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and has an IQ below 70. Despite this, he can remember the name of every all-star baseball player for the past 30 years and can tell which day of the week December 3, 1908, fell on. Tyrel's behavior illustrates ____.

Accepted Answer

Tyrel's ability to remember specific, detailed information and perform complex mental tasks, despite having autism spectrum disorder and a low IQ, is characteristic of an autistic savant. This term describes individuals with autism who have extraordinary skills not exhibited by most people.

Question 12

The prognosis for children with autism spectrum disorder ____.

Accepted Answer

The prognosis for children with autism spectrum disorder is indeed mixed. While most individuals diagnosed with autism will require some level of support throughout their lives, the severity and impact of the symptoms can vary widely. Some individuals, especially those with milder forms of autism, may become self-sufficient and function reasonably well in adulthood. This reflects the spectrum nature of the disorder, where outcomes can range significantly based on a variety of factors including the level of support and interventions received.

Question 13

Charles was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. He is extremely unresponsive to adults and does not speak. He first showed these abnormalities around the age of six. What aspect of Charles's case is unusual for autistic disorder?

Accepted Answer

Autism spectrum disorder typically presents symptoms before the age of 3, making the onset of abnormalities at age 6 unusual.

Question 14

The term infantile autism comes from the Greek autos . This reflects which key characteristic of people with the disorder?

Accepted Answer

The term "infantile autism," derived from the Greek "autos," signifies profound aloneness and detachment, which is a key characteristic of people with the disorder. This reflects their significant difficulties in social interactions and forming connections with others.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT one of the behaviors described by Kanner as an essential feature of autism?

Accepted Answer

Kanner did not describe a severe inability to focus attention as an essential feature of autism. Instead, his descriptions emphasized difficulties in social interactions, a need for sameness, and communication challenges as core aspects of the condition.

Question 16

Oscar is diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder. When his mother says, "Here's your cereal," Oscar says, "Here's your cereal." What symptom does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Echolalia is the repetition of phrases or noises that an individual hears. It is a common symptom in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, where they might repeat words or phrases spoken to them, often without intent to communicate.

Question 17

A news reporter defines neurodevelopmental disorder as "relatively mild childhood disorders that affect social interactions and communication skills. These disorders involve hallucinations or delusions but involve behavioral abnormalities that are not normally seen in any developmental stage." What portion of this statement is accurate ?

Accepted Answer

Neurodevelopmental disorders primarily affect social interactions and communication skills, impacting areas such as language, behavior, and learning abilities. They do not typically involve hallucinations or delusions, which are more characteristic of psychotic disorders, nor are they described as relatively mild across the board, as their severity can vary widely. Additionally, these disorders are characterized by symptoms that manifest in childhood, not early adulthood.

Question 18

Wesley is eight and has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. His symptoms include an extreme unresponsiveness to adults and a lack of meaningful speech. If Wesley has the typical pattern of autism symptoms, which other symptom can we expect?

Accepted Answer

Repetitive, self-absorbed activities are a common symptom of autism spectrum disorder, reflecting restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, which is characteristic of the condition.

Question 19

Three children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Kim would rather listen to a machine buzzing than hear her mother's voice. Len prefers to be left alone. Matt needs physical contact with his mother all the time. Which of the children has/have symptoms that are common in autism spectrum disorder?

Accepted Answer

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, including difficulties in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and unusual responses to sensory inputs. Kim's preference for machine sounds over human voices and Len's desire for solitude are indicative of common ASD symptoms, such as sensory sensitivities and social withdrawal. Matt's need for constant physical contact does not align as closely with the typical ASD profile, which often includes challenges with physical touch and personal space.

Question 20

Which statement is correct about the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder?

Accepted Answer

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is more common among boys than among girls, with research showing that boys are approximately four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. This gender difference in prevalence is a well-documented aspect of ASD.

Quiz 16: Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence