1. Pervasive Developmental Disorders and Mental Retardation

2. 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
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

3. 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
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

4. Deficits in Autistic Disorder
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

5. Risk factors for Autistic Disorder
Brain abnormalities
Genetic factors 
Stress or injury may interact with genetic vulnerability
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

6. Hereditary Factors in Autistic Disorder
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

7. 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
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

8. Asperger’s Disorder 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

9. 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

10. Rett’s Disorder
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

11. Diagnosis of Mental Retardation
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

12. 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
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

13. Fragile X Chromosome Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

14. 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

15. 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
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

16. 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

17. 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

18. Secondary Prevention of Mental Retardation
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

19. Outcomes in Mental Retardation
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005

20. 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

21. Vocational and Skills Training for Mentally Retarded Individuals
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

22. Other Psychological Problems Associated with Mental Retardation
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