Developmental Psych Papere

The study of the psychological development in children has been an ongoing endeavor. Ren birthed theorist, Sigmund Freud real a psychoanalytic stage of psychological development focusing on the psychosexual development of individuals. Erikson develop his own theory of development which spanned over ones life time. Psychological development has stirred arguments in theory from biological theorists and environmental theorists as well.Despite the uncompromised viewpoints from psychological, biological, and environmental theorists, children continue to be innate(p), grow, and become adults without a authorised explanation to their development. There exists the lingering question as to why some children grow and develop respectable psychological dis rewrites and learning dys portions when comp bed to other children who are devoid of both dysfunction.BackgroundAt first view, go is a unruly typical 8 year old boy. It is noticeable that his attention span is compromised as he is inef fective to remain focused on one activity for any given length of time. His parents, Jason and Alexis, explained that transport was born via Caesarean section after(prenominal) forty-two prolonged hours of labor. A second child was born, a girl, later(prenominal) the following year. At the age of 2, his parents noticed that he seemed too eager and full of energy. After a trip to the pediatrician, they were assured that this was typical behavior for a 2 year old boy.Up to the age of 4, his parents became much distraught with their inability to control his behaviors. By this point, Adam was sleeping three hours per night, had gotten outside the family home by picking a lock with a butter knife, was physically abusing his younger sister, had broken his collar off-white jumping off a Little Tyke car, re-broken the collar bone in the doctors office jumping off the exam table despite the doctors efforts to catch him, and his parents werePSYCHOLOGY 3sleeping in shifts in order to keep up with his hyperactivity (personal communication, May 15, 2010). The family received reassurance from the pediatrician who indicated that it was a phase that Adam would soon outgrow. It is set down that both Jason and Alexis were debating whether or not Adams behavior was an individual inconsistency or an abnormal behavior, but one could also suggest the possibility of the issues with Adam being related to a nature versus nurture conflict (Berryman, et al, 2002)AnalysisDiagnosisWhen Adam was 6, his parents contacted a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist after exhausting every other known resource and outlet, including school counselors and the family pediatrician. Adam was put through a series of developmental, biological, and psychological tests. The psychiatrist met with the parents two-weeks following the testing phase. It was determined that Adam was suffering from Attention shortage Hyperactivity inconvenience (ADHD) and Bipolar overturn I. While Jason and Alexis admit tha t they were horrified by the diagnoses, they have stated that they were as relieved to finally have a name for what was wrong with their son (personal communication, May 15, 2010).The Diagnostics and Statistics manual of arms for Mental Disorders, fourth edition, (DSM-IV-TR) defines ADHD as being a condition often present in children indicated by behaviors and mannerisms inconsistent with the childs developmental age (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Specific symptoms include restlessness, compulsive mood, excessive talking, distractible, and an inability to remain focused. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) notes that learning disabilities are frequent with the diagnosing of ADHD (APA, 1994). The diagnosis of BipolarPSYCHOLOGY 4Disorder I indicates that episodes of mania are or have existed in the patient. Bipolar Disorder is defined as severe mood swings associated with elated happiness, or mania, in contrast to extreme depression, or periods of sadness (APA, 199 4).TreatmentTreating both of these conditions in a child requires consistency and encouragement from the family. From a pharmacological standpoint, these conditions are being treated with Clonodine and Depekote. Family and cognitive therapies have been incorporated into the familys routine. Lab tests, blood work, are performed bi-weekly as the level of Depekote must be monitored so that it does not become toxic. In reference to Adams learning disability, he is enrolled in special education classes in a public elementary school. To date, Adam seems well adjusted and fully cooperative in taking his daily medications. Alexis indicated that his individual therapy has helped him to recognize periods where he has become too active, whereby Adam will indicate that he ask some alone time to calm down (personal communication, May 15, 2010).DiscussionThe prognosis for these types of conditions in children is uncertain. Years ago, a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in a child was unheard of, and it would seem to be more congruent with a send Disorder. Times are changing as is developmental psychology. The origin of these conditions is not definite. Alexis wonders if there was oxygen neediness during labor which may have contributed to Adams disorders, but there is not a clear or concise medical opinion to assert this to fact (personal communication, May 15, 2010). There are so far questions as to whether or not either of these conditions may be hereditary, despite the fact that neitherPSYCHOLOGY 5Jason nor Alexis have any family members with either condition. With regard to the abnormal behavior exhibited by Adam there exists a name for the psychological dysfunction. In relation to Adam as an individual, it is obvious that he does have specific differences than that of other children his own age. It is still a battle and argument to be had with regard to developmental psychologists and theorists.ConclusionJason and Alexis continue to live and function with the knowledge that their son has been diagnosed with two disorders requiring constant monitoring and care. In lieu of these conditions, they still manage to do things as any other family does. They have a family in which one child has special needs. For them, these needs have become the norm, even though society views these obstacles as an intrusion and inconvenience. Developmental psychology is a study of the ways in which one goes from being a dependent infant to a self-sufficient adult. There are a variety of ways that all(prenominal) individual will accomplish such(prenominal) a task. There does not appear to be any one definition by which each person grows and develops thoughts, mental processes, or abilities. Each person simply grows by learning and adapting in order to survive. The field of developmental psychology has much work and research ahead of itself, but it has already make great strides with regard to how society has gotten where it is.