Childhood Psychological Disorders

Childhood Psychological Disorders
Written by: Kelly L. Hunter

Children are faced with many obstacles during adolescence; unfortunately some are faced with even greater challenges than those of their peers. It is estimated that approximately 8 to 10 percent of school-age children suffer from Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as AD/HD (Children With, 2008). There are also approximately 560,000 school-age children and their families currently living with Autism in the United States (Weiss, R, 2007). Experts suggest that there has been a rise in numbers for both disorders; the question is why? Is this dramatic change caused by biological and environmental factors or has society’s idea of what “normal” childhood behavior is somehow changed and how can these disorders affectively be treated?
Let’s first look at how psychologists and medical professionals define AD/HD and Autism. According to the definition provided by Morris and Maisto (2005), AD/HD is “a childhood disorder characterized by inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity” (p. 518). Autism is even more complex and harder to understand. Autism is considered to be a childhood disorder where the child lacks any form of social instincts while displaying strange motor functions and behaviors. The definition, in my opinion, is quite vague in comparison to the disease itself.
Children who were once considered to be simply hyperactive are now labeled as having AD/HD. Children who suffer from AD/HD are in most cases easily distracted and are unable to focus on any particular task for any substantial length of time. These children are usually in constant motion, displaying impulsive and fidgety behavior. You are probably thinking that this sounds like your own son or daughter. I know that after reading the definition of AD/HD I looked over at my own child and asked myself if my son may have AD/HD or is he displaying normal five year old behavior?
How can parents know the difference between a curious and excited child and AD/HD? Some experts believe that AD/HD is more prevalent in boys than in girls and is in most cases present at birth; however, children do not usually show significant signs of having the disorder until they begin school (Morris & Maisto, 2005). It is because of the serious demands of the classroom like sitting still or remaining quiet that teachers and professionals are able to detect a child with AD/HD simply because a child suffering from this disorder is unable to achieve these tasks.
“Although the causes of AD/HD are not fully understood, most theorist believe that biological factors such as anomalies in the central nervous system or heredity are important in its development” (Morris & Maisto, 2005, p. 518). Being a mother of a very active five year old boy, I would have to agree that biological factors and heredity probably do play a major role in AD/HD; however, I also believe that the food that we feed our children also plays a major factor in these particular symptoms. For instance, if I give my son food with certain preservatives or dyes in them, he immediately displays unusual or excessive amounts of abnormal “hyperactivity”.
Studies indicate that the percentage of children diagnosed with AD/HD is much higher than that of children living in Britain. Could this be because American diets are not as healthy as the British? It is hard to say but chances are that it is possible. This could also be the reason behind the rapid increase of children diagnosed with AD/HD over the past few decades. We as a society do not eat the way our parents and grandparents used to. Families are much busier in today’s world creating the consumption of more processed and fast foods and the loss of quality, nutrient-filled home-cooked meals.
Modern day treatment for this disease does have its benefits as well as its downfalls. It has been noted that parents and teachers, if competent and patient, can have a great deal of success when trying to teach a child the necessary fundamentals needed to succeed in a schooling environment (Morris & Maisto, 2005). Although there has been some success with this kind of therapy, doctors due prefer treatments that include the use of psychostimulants.
Pyschostimulants are drugs used to focus the child’s mind enabling the child to perform better and maintain school appropriate behaviors. Although the use of psychostimulants has produced substantial evidence proving that its use does aid in the relief of AD/HD, experts believe that these drugs only produce a limited amount of relief and the benefits of taking these expensive medications are short-term. Not everyone agrees that the use of these doctor regulated drugs is beneficial and in fact, some experts believe that taking these medicines only discourages a child’s natural instinct to engage in “rough housing”.
Autism, on the other hand, as I stated before is even more complex of a disease than AD/HD. This disorder, like AD/HD, is more commonly found in boys than girls. Symptoms of Autism are usually recognized very early on in a child’s life. According to Morris and Maisto (2005), these children are unable to bond with their parents and most times seem to be distant and withdrawn as if living in their own separate world. The exact cause of Autism is still unknown to this day but many experts believe that biology is the founding contributor to this puzzling disorder as well as some cases of mental retardation.
Autism, unlike AD/HD, is very difficult to diagnose and treat due to the fact that the child is hard to test because in most cases the child is unresponsive and has extreme problems with speech. Although medications may help to relieve some of the symptoms caused by this disorder, it may not be enough. There are new kinds of therapies available to families today. Family therapy is one alternative to excessive drug treatments. Family therapy can help the entire family to understand the disorder and teach each individual how they can add to a more positive experience for not only the child but for the family as a whole. There are also biological treatments that are available that focus on the biological factors that are contributing to the disorder.
There is no doubt that children and families living with AD/HD and Autism are faced with challenges that many of us cannot even begin to imagine. However, unlike 50 years ago, there are options available to patients and their families that will help in the treatment of these disorders as well as in their daily lives. Whether you find comfort in readily available medications, behavioral therapies, family therapies, or a change in your child’s diet, there is help out there. Some experts also recommend that parents of children suffering from either one of these disorders seek out other parents who are going through similar issues as a means of support and guidance. Whatever the case may be, help is out there.






Reference(s)
“Children with ADHD”, McNeil Pediatrics, (2008), Retrieved June 22, 2008.
www.converta.net

Morris, C.G., and Maisto, A.A., Psychology: An Introduction (12th ed.), Prentice-Hall, New Saddle River, NJ, (2005).

Weiss, R., 1 in 150 Children in U.S. Has Autism, New Survey Finds, Washington Post, (February 9, 2007), p. A06, Retrieved June 22, 2008.
www.washingtonpost.com