Assignment 9: Disorders Related to Development    Due 4/13/01

Answer each of the following questions in a short paragraph (no more than 50-75 words each).  Answers must be in your own words; you may not quote from the readings or take 5 or more words verbatim from the readings, or use the work of another student.

1. There are many difficulties that clinicians face when trying to assess children and adolescents; explain two.

2. Explain what it means to describe some childhood disorders as "externalizing," and then list the three externalizing disorders in DSM.

3. Although there is some overlap between anorexia and bulimia, DSM clearly defines them as two distinct eating disorders; explain the key differences between them.

4. Describe the three primary areas of impairment associated with pervasive developmental disorders, and give an example of one specific symptom for each of the three.

5. Imagine that a parent tells you that his child is seeing a neurologist to be tested for ADHD; explain why such testing is essentially irrelevant to the diagnosis of ADHD.

The following questions are only for discussion in class.  You should be prepared to offer your thoughts if called on.

6. Why is there such controversy about the classification of developmental disorders and about the number of children being diagnosed with some form of disorder?

7. Even though we know that many children and teenagers certainly have emotional problems, DSM lists very few specific "internalizing" disorders in its category of Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence; explain why.

8. Many people believe that children with mental, behavioral or emotional problems are born with them; what evidence exists to support his view?

9. Select one specific psychological factor and explain the theory of how this factor might help us to understand eating disorders.

10. Give an example of why it is so important to include an emphasis on society and culture in our efforts to understand psychopathology in children and adolescents.
 

Copyright ©1998 Beverly J. Volicer and Steven F. Tello, UMass Lowell.  You may freely edit these pages  for use in a non-profit, educational setting.  Please include this copyright notice on all pages.