RNSG 2213 (M.H.) - Exam 3, Modlule 10: Age Related M. H. Dx|Child and
Adolescent Mental Health, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Intellectual
Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, Tics, OCD,
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Bipolar
Disorder, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Oppositional Defiant
Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Eating Disorders,
Elimination Disorders, Gender Dysphoria, Substance Use Disorders, Suicide Risk,
Bullying, Comorbidity, Family Dysfunction, Stigma, Early Intervention, Applied
Behavioral Analysis, Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,
Medications, School-Based Interventions, Parent Education, Therapeutic
Communication Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Child/Adolescent intro
¢The first onset of mental health disorders likely to occur in childhood/adolescence
¢Only about one - fifth are treated in a given year, leading to more serious complications later in life
¢Suicide is 3rd leading cause of death in the 15-24 age group
¢Comorbidity with another psychiatric disorders is common
¢Commonly there is lack of treatment due to stigma, difficulty with identification, lack of resources and
funding, fragmentation of system
¢In some situations family dysfunction exists, and the child usually will be the "identified patient" even
though others may need intervention
¢Child/adolescent psychiatry is very challenging
¢Children are adaptable, fresh in outlook and unpredictable. Working with them and witnessing them
overcome their problems can be particularly rewarding
Most commonly diagnosed childhood and adolescent disorders
¢Neurodevelopmental disorders - include intellectual disabilities, communication disorders, autism
spectrum disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning and motor disorders (Tourette's)
,¢Disruptive, impulse control and conduct disorders (includes ODD and CD)
¢Depression, bipolar disorder/DMDD (disruptive mood dis-regulation disorder)
¢Anxiety disorders
¢OCD and related disorders
¢Trauma and stress related disorders
¢Feeding and eating disorders
¢Elimination disorders (enuresis >5yrs, encopresis > 4yrs)
¢Gender dysphoria
¢Substance related disorders (5% age 8-12yrs)
Neurodevelopmental disorders
Impacts around 15% of children ages 3 -17
Delays in one or more areas of development
Includes intellectual disability, communication disorders, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, specific
learning and motor disorders
2 most common are ASD & ADHD
Intellectual disability
¢This disorder is characterized as mild, moderate, severe or profound
¢85% of cases are considered mild
¢Causes may be hereditary, alterations in early embryonic development, pregnancy and perinatal
problems, prematurity, hypoxia, infection, trauma, poisoning and others
¢Level of independence in performing self care activities essential to nursing care plan
, Autism Spectrum Disorder
-A heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental syndromes characterized by a wide range of
communication impairments and restricted, repetitive patterns of thought and behaviors
-Also defined as a developmental disability
-The diagnosis is adapted to each individual by specifiers such as level of severity, verbal abilities, and
associated features (epilepsy, etc.)
-Prevalence is 1 in 36 children (CDC 2023)
-Four times more common in boys
-High quality early intervention can change a child’s developmental path in many cases
-Try to identify by 18 months. Current age of diagnosis is 3 years
mild = hard to distinguish from normal eccentricity & social awkwardness
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
-Presents with deficits in social and communication interactions
-Also presents with repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities
-May include twirling, rocking, or flapping arms
Adolescent Mental Health, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Intellectual
Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, Tics, OCD,
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Bipolar
Disorder, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Oppositional Defiant
Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Eating Disorders,
Elimination Disorders, Gender Dysphoria, Substance Use Disorders, Suicide Risk,
Bullying, Comorbidity, Family Dysfunction, Stigma, Early Intervention, Applied
Behavioral Analysis, Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,
Medications, School-Based Interventions, Parent Education, Therapeutic
Communication Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Child/Adolescent intro
¢The first onset of mental health disorders likely to occur in childhood/adolescence
¢Only about one - fifth are treated in a given year, leading to more serious complications later in life
¢Suicide is 3rd leading cause of death in the 15-24 age group
¢Comorbidity with another psychiatric disorders is common
¢Commonly there is lack of treatment due to stigma, difficulty with identification, lack of resources and
funding, fragmentation of system
¢In some situations family dysfunction exists, and the child usually will be the "identified patient" even
though others may need intervention
¢Child/adolescent psychiatry is very challenging
¢Children are adaptable, fresh in outlook and unpredictable. Working with them and witnessing them
overcome their problems can be particularly rewarding
Most commonly diagnosed childhood and adolescent disorders
¢Neurodevelopmental disorders - include intellectual disabilities, communication disorders, autism
spectrum disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning and motor disorders (Tourette's)
,¢Disruptive, impulse control and conduct disorders (includes ODD and CD)
¢Depression, bipolar disorder/DMDD (disruptive mood dis-regulation disorder)
¢Anxiety disorders
¢OCD and related disorders
¢Trauma and stress related disorders
¢Feeding and eating disorders
¢Elimination disorders (enuresis >5yrs, encopresis > 4yrs)
¢Gender dysphoria
¢Substance related disorders (5% age 8-12yrs)
Neurodevelopmental disorders
Impacts around 15% of children ages 3 -17
Delays in one or more areas of development
Includes intellectual disability, communication disorders, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, specific
learning and motor disorders
2 most common are ASD & ADHD
Intellectual disability
¢This disorder is characterized as mild, moderate, severe or profound
¢85% of cases are considered mild
¢Causes may be hereditary, alterations in early embryonic development, pregnancy and perinatal
problems, prematurity, hypoxia, infection, trauma, poisoning and others
¢Level of independence in performing self care activities essential to nursing care plan
, Autism Spectrum Disorder
-A heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental syndromes characterized by a wide range of
communication impairments and restricted, repetitive patterns of thought and behaviors
-Also defined as a developmental disability
-The diagnosis is adapted to each individual by specifiers such as level of severity, verbal abilities, and
associated features (epilepsy, etc.)
-Prevalence is 1 in 36 children (CDC 2023)
-Four times more common in boys
-High quality early intervention can change a child’s developmental path in many cases
-Try to identify by 18 months. Current age of diagnosis is 3 years
mild = hard to distinguish from normal eccentricity & social awkwardness
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
-Presents with deficits in social and communication interactions
-Also presents with repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities
-May include twirling, rocking, or flapping arms
