Transcript Models in Psychopathology

Pervasive
Developmental
Disorders
and
Mental
Retardation
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Conditions that become apparent early
in a child's development and affect most
or all major developmental systems
(social, cognitive, and language)
 Autistic disorder
 Asperser's disorder
 Childhood disintegrative disorder
 Rett’s disorder
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Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
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Autistic Disorder (Autism)
Characteristics
Usually noticed by age of 3 years
Marked difficulty in social
interaction and communication
Restricted range of interests
Strong desire for routine
75% are mentally retarded
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Deficits in Autistic Disorder
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Theory of mind – Inability to infer the mental
states of others and to think abstractly
Executive functions – Cognitive operations
involved in planning and flexibility of response
Language – Many never speak and those who
do have stereotypical, repetitive, idiosyncratic
speech patterns
Joint attention behaviors – Inability to maintain
eye contact and social interaction
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Risk factors for Autistic Disorder
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Brain abnormalities
Genetic factors 
Stress or injury may interact with genetic
vulnerability
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Hereditary Factors in Autistic Disorder
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Treatment of Autistic Disorder
Behavioral therapy – Increase skills,
reduce problem behaviors
 Learning techniques to take into
account cognitive strengths and
weaknesses
 Medications to treat some symptoms
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Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Asperger’s Disorder
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May be a mild form of autism
Impaired social interaction
Restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior
and interests
Does not include language delays seen in
autism
Does not include impaired cognitive
development seen in autism
Usually not diagnosed until school age
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
 Normal development until age 3 or 4, followed
by loss of previously acquired
 Areas affected may include language, social, and
motor skills and bowel and bladder control
 Changes thought to be associated with
deterioration in the nervous system
 Very rare – One in one million births
 More common in boys than girls
 Causes unknown
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Rett’s Disorder
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Progressive disorder appearing after normal
development, at about 5 months of age
Head stops increasing in size, so becomes
smaller than normal (microcephaly)
Loss of previously acquired developmental
skills (language, social, and motor)
Typically affects only girls
Most become severely retarded
No specific treatment
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Diagnosis of Mental Retardation
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
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Risk Factors for Mental Retardation
 Incidence
 Approximately 1%, lower for more severe levels
 Genetically based
 Dominant genes
Tuberous sclerosis
 Recessive genes
 Genetic mutation
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
 Chromosomal abnormalities
Fragile X syndrome 
Down syndrome 
 Polygenetic
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
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Fragile X Chromosome
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Other Risks for Mental Retardation
 The fetal environment
 Maternal infections
 Chronic conditions
 Blood incompatibilities between mother and child
 Chemicals in fetal environment
Alcohol- Fetal alcohol syndrome
 Radiation
 Malnutrition
 Factors associated with age and stress of
mother
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Other Risks for Mental Retardation
 Birth-related Problems
• Prematurity
• Low birth weight
• Lack of oxygen during birth process
• Too-rapid progress through the birth canal
 Damage to the nervous system after birth
• Infections (encephalitis)
• Extreme malnutrition
• Blows to the head
• Tumors
• Accidental Oxygen deprivation (e.g.near drowning)
• Environmental poisons (e.g. lead paint; mercury)
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
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Other Risks for Mental Retardation
 Psychosocial disadvantage
Impoverished environment
30-50% of variation in intelligence test
scores can be attributed to environmental
influences
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Prevention of Mental Retardation
 Primary prevention
Amniocentesis and ultrasound scanning
that may lead to termination of
pregnancy
Public education about need for
prenatal care, dangers of pregnant
women drinking, and dangers of
exposure of children to toxins such as
lead or mercury
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Secondary Prevention of Mental Retardation
Secondary prevention
Early assessment and treatment, as in
special diet for PKU children
Children at psychosocial risk
Home-based interventions
Special centers with trained staffs,
supplemented by home visits
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Outcomes in Mental Retardation
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School-based programs for Mental
Retardation
 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA; U.S.) guarantees free public education
for all disabled children, including the mentally
retarded
Least-restrictive placement
Mainstreaming versus special placement
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Vocational and Skills Training for
Mentally Retarded Individuals
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Maximizing child’s skills and potential
Job preparation – Sheltered workshops
Learning how to deal with personal, financial,
and sexual exploitation
Teach social skills, and assertiveness
Training in appropriate sexual behavior
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Other Psychological Problems
Associated with Mental Retardation
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Approximately 40% of mentally retarded meet criteria for
some other disorder
Severely and profoundly retarded often have Autism or
Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Many adolescents have temper tantrums, aggressive and
destructive behavior, and alcohol and drug abuse
Children with Fragile-X syndrome often have ADHD
Children and adults with Down syndrome often suffer
from Major Depression
Up to 25% of adults may have a personality disorder
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005