Children Disorders

Is characterized by significantly impaired general intellectual functioning, as measured by an I. Q. test with a score of 70 or less. There must also be evidence of significant impairment in adaptive skill areas( e.g. communication, interpersonal skills, work, recreation, and self-direction); the onset is by age; mental retardation is more common in males.

Involves the development of a number of deficits including decelerated head growth, loss in hand skills, at least a temporary loss in social engagement, gait and trunk movement difficulties, severe psychomotor retardation and severe disruption in expressive and receptive language developement. There is no cure for Rett's and often been reported in Females.

Is characterized by significant impairment in communication and social interaction, as well as, a very restricted range of interests and activities. It is more commom in males than females. There is no single treatment for it.

Is characterized by significant loss of skills following a seemingly normal period of developement fo at least the first two years of life. This disorder more common in males.

Is distinguished by impairment in social interaction that is both severe and sustained. The individual has nonfunctional repetitive and sterotypical behaviors, interests, and activities in the absence of a significant delay in language, cognitive abilities and the development of self-help skills. The individual has adaptive behavior that does not include social involvement and interest in the enviroment. This disorder is more common in males.

Has a clear pattern of inattention and/or hperactivity not accounted for by an individual's development stage. It is more common in males. Some symptoms are evident before age 7 and impairment must be significant and evident in at least two different setting. Treatment has typically focused on medications (e.g. psychostimulants such as Ritalin, Dexedrine, or Adderall).

Involves a pattern of violating the rules and norms of society and the rights of others in a variety of setting (eg. my involve agressive behavior with animals or people, the deliberate destruction of property dishonesty, stealing truancy, running away). If the onset is before the age of ten it is called chldhood-Onset Type: onset at age 10 or later is called Adolescent-Onset Type. This disorder is more common in males.

Is represented (over at least a six month period) by negativistic, hostile, and defiant behaviors that occur more frequently in an individual does not meet the criteri for conduct disorder (or Antisocial Disorder if 18 or older). This disorder is more common in males before puberty and there is almost an equal occurrence in males and females after puberty. Medications is not currently recommended.

Is distinguished by excessive anxiety around separation from significant others.  The symptoms must be evident for a minimum of fours weeks and the onset before age 18.  Separation anxiety is developmentally normal in infants and toddlers until approximately age 3 to 5 years, when mild distress and clinging behavior occur when children are separated from their primary caregivers or attachment figures.  Prozac (fluoxetine), the only SSRI approved by FDA in those younger than 18 yrs. of age, is typically prescribed. Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is the primary treatment used for this disorder.

Is identified by a persistent failure to speak in certain situations with a demonstrated ability to talk as evidenced by doing so in other situations. It lasts a minimum of 1 month and cannot be evident only in the first month of school.  This diagnosis is not given if it apparent that the individual's failure to speak has its roots in a lack of familiarity of or comfort with the language. It is slightly more common in females. It is treatable with medication called Fluoxetine (Prozac).

Is typified by repetitive, nonfunctional motor behavior, such as body rocking, head banging and biting oneself. Behavior are not the result of a compulsion, a tic, or a stereotypy associated with Pervasive Development Disorder. The behavior must continue for a minimum of 4 weeks.  In some cases, antidepressants such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Luvox (SSRI's) or Anafranil may be helpful in treating this disorder.

Disorder that occur in early developement are often more severe and involve serious impairment in social interaction skills, communication skills, or stereotypical (i.e. repetitive, nonfunctional) behavior, interests and activities.  These disorders frequently involve mental retardation, Rett's, Austistic, Childhood Disintegrative, and Asperger's disorder.