Child and Youth Studies CHYS 1F90

Dr. J. McNamara
Fall/Winter 2023

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder

Characteristics
 Defined by marked changes in mood and energy
 Extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression)

Types
 Bipolar 1
– More severe manic episodes and less severe depressive episodes
 Bipolar 2
– More severe depressive episodes and less severe manic episodes
 Cyclothymic bipolar disorder
– Milder symptoms with more rapid cycling

Prevalence
 Affects roughly 1/100
 Males and Females = no difference
 Highest prevalence is in the 18 to 24 year age group

Causes
 Strong causal links to genetics
– Concordance rates:
 Monozygotic twins – 55%
 Dizygotic twins – 5%
– 2021 Study
 64 DNA variations

Bipolar treatment
 Medicinal
– Mood stabilizers
 Lithium, Depakote
 Serious side effects
– Confusion, lack of coordination, frequent urination, dehydration, thyroid
problems

 Behavioural
– Psychotherapy
– Counselling
– Behavioural supports

When treatment works…..

 Cortisol levels (stress hormone)

 Each point is a day
 This person is cycling every 24 hours
 The right reflects lithium treatment

Learning Disabilities
80% of LD are Reading Disabilities
 Neurological Dysfunction
Reading disabilities are associated with minor dysfunction in the superior temporal lobe and the posterior
parietal regions of the central nervous system

Why is there a difference in activation?

Genetics – DCDC2 (mutation on DCDC2 associated with RD)

Instructional Reading Programs for Children with Learning Disabilities

 Orton-Gillingham
 Lindamood Bell Reading Programs
 Reading recovery
 Reading Rocks
 Etc

Does it work?
 Academically and Neurologically

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

 Not a learning disability per se
 A type of behavioural disability
 Often is comorbid with LD
– Children with ADHD often have LD (40-50%)

What causes ADHD

 Many theories but still unclear
 Lower brain response to stimuli
– Chemical imbalance
 Lower arousal levels
– Chemical imbalance

Genetics
 Many candidate genes

Issues of Over-diagnosis
 Considering normal or typical behaviour
 Developmental norms

Treatment of ADHD
 Stimulant medication
– Thought to increase the production of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine
 – Stimulate chemicals in the brain that are associated with attention
 Examples
– Ritalin (methylphenidate)
 Concerta (methylphenidate)

Medication
 2.5 million children take medication for ADHD
 80% of children respond positively
 Side effects are relatively mild and not long lasting
 25 cases of sudden death
 54 cases of cardiovascular difficulties
 Most families begin medication as a result of a recommendation from a teacher

Behaviour modification programs

 Behaviour is managed through the use of interventions and strategies
 Student works with parents, teachers, resource teachers, paraprofessionals
 Emphasize structure, rewards, and strategies

Alternatives to ADHD
Crystaline / Indigo Children

Autism
General Characteristics
 In the majority of cases there is intellectual impairment (IQ = 70>)
 Better at non-verbal, visual spatial tasks
 Difficulty with social awareness and adjustment

Etiology
 Very strong genetic link
– Monozygotic twin concordance rate = .50 - .90
– Dizygotic twin concordance rate = 0
– 7q11.23
– 16q11.2
– Combination of up to 48 genes.
– High risk of de novo mutations

Etiology
 Non-traditional theories
– i.e. childhood vaccinations

Treatment & Interventions

 No current pharmaceutical treatments
 Behavioural intervention programs
– Applied Behavioural Analysis
– Son Rise Programs