3 Objectives:1. Diagnostic Stage: Revisit the diagnoses as they pertain to

affecting the family unit

2. Grief Stage: Discuss the stages of grief as they pertain to receiving a diagnosis (i.e. especially ASD/Asperger’s)

3. Overcoming: List strategies to help families navigate

through the challenging times

Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD: Fails to give close

attention to details/careless

Difficulty sustaining attention

Doesn’t seem to listen when spoken to

Often does not follow through on tasks

Difficulty organizing tasks Dislikes tasks that involve

sustained mental effort Loses things necessary

for a task Easily distracted

Fidgets/squirms Often leaves seat when

being seated is expected

Runs and climbs excessively

Difficulty playing in leisure activities quietly

Talks excessively Blurts things out Difficulty waiting turn Interrupts or intrudes

on others

Diagnostic Criteria for ODD:Loses temper oftenOften argues with adultsDefies or refuses adults’ rulesDeliberately annoys peopleOften blames others for their

mistakes or misbehaviorOften angry or resentfulSpiteful and vindictive

Diagnostic Criteria for OCD:Obsessions: Recurrent & persistent

thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced as intrusive and cause marked anxiety or distress

Thoughts/Impulses are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems

Person attempts to ignore or suppress thoughts, impulses etc.

Person recognizes thoughts as obsessional and as a product of his or her own mind

Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors (hand-

washing, checking, stacking) or mental acts (praying, repeating silently, counting) that the person feels DRIVEN to perform in response to the obsession

The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreadful event or situations

The obsessions or compulsions caused marked distress and significantly interfere with a person’s routine (or family’s routine)

Diagnostic Criteria Asperger’s Social awkwardness/few or no friends Obsessions/focused on one subject Lack of eye contact/poor eye contact Sensory issues ( sensitive to noise, touch, sights, or

how clothing feels) Can be Sensory Aversive or Sensory Seeking (spinning, swinging, hanging upside down etc.)

Odd speech/extreme logic/ proper speech Anger/Aggression/Hitting/Anxiety driven outward

frustrations CRAVES routine/anxious about new things or change

in routine Appears lost in own world at times/prefers solitary

play Communication problems/motor skill problems Stimming behaviors (short for self-stimulation):

flapping, rocking, repeating words when anxious

Further Signs of ASD/AutismMay not gain any speech/ may just repeat what

he/she heard/ may only have a few wordsMay not potty train/May use pull-ups for

extended timeMay reach a plateau in learningMay not develop motor skills especially fine

motor skillsRestricted interestsCannot tolerate change: new people, places,

textures, foods, etcCannot initiate conversationPerseverates on thingsMay also have intellectual challenges

ADHDODDOCD

Asperger’s/ASD Usually Comorbid with:

Kubler-Ross’ Stages of Grief:It is normal for a couple/parent/family to

experience this at the DIAGNOSTIC PHASE

1. Denial & Isolation

2. Anger

3. Bargaining

4. Depression

5. Acceptance

PREVALENCE IN FAMILIES

OCD: ODD:2011 W.H.O. reported

OCD is 1 of the top 20 causes of illness related disabilities in adults

Thought to be as common as 1 out of every 100 children/teens

Treatable/High Success Rate with medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

In children under 18 years of age: 5-16%

Greater # of cases in boys before the age of puberty

After puberty rates between boys and girls equal

67% of ODD cases are resolved in 3 years

30% of cases progress to Conduct Disorder

PREVALENCE CONTINUED:ADHD: CDC reports 1 out of 10 US

kids have ADHD There is a 22% increase

since 2003 5.4 million kids have ADHD;

this is up by 1 million cases from 5 years ago

Statistics current as of 2011

ASD/Asperger’s: According to Medscape

Medical News Reports, back in 1985 the rate of ASD was 4 out of 10,000 kids

The CDC reported in 1996, the rate jumped 10xs; 1 out of 1,000 kids

2004: Rate was 1 out of 166 kids

According to a PBS special, Autism Speaks, and several reports: CURRENT RATE 1 out of 110 (AUTISM SPEAKS reports 1 out of 70 boys)

STRATEGIES TO HELP: Couple must work on the

MARITAL BOND EACH parent must take care of

themselves Communication is VITAL ASK FOR HELP Become Child’s Advocate-

everywhere (school, church,family)

PARENTING SKILLS:PATIENCEORGANIZATIONAL SKILLSTOLERANCEGRIEVING/ACCEPTINGPERMISSION TO RESTIMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL

STRENGTHDON’T NEGLECT CHILD/CHILDREN

THAT DO NOT HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS