Chapter 26: Children & Adolescents

Children & Adolescents establishes the foundational etiology of childhood psychological conditions by examining the intricate interplay of genetic predispositions, biochemical neurotransmitter alterations, individual temperament, and resilience, alongside critical environmental factors such as trauma and adverse childhood experiences. The text systematically breaks down neurodevelopmental disorders, detailing the functional classifications of intellectual disability, speech and communication disorders like childhood-onset fluency disorder, and the varying severity levels of autism spectrum disorder characterized by profound social deficits and self-stimulatory behaviors. Furthermore, it covers the widespread prevalence and symptom presentation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, specific learning disorders, and motor conditions including Tourette's disorder. The chapter also navigates the nuances of diagnosing bipolar and mood disorders in youth, highlighting the classification of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder to better categorize severe temper outbursts, while addressing pediatric-specific anxiety disorders like separation anxiety and selective mutism. Additionally, it examines trauma-related conditions such as reactive attachment disorder, unique feeding and eating challenges like pica and rumination, elimination disorders including enuresis and encopresis, and disruptive behavioral challenges like oppositional defiant disorder and the more severe conduct disorder. Finally, the chapter outlines the specialized application of the nursing process for young patients, emphasizing holistic, developmentally appropriate mental health assessments and the implementation of evidence-based interventions. These interventions range from cautious psychopharmacological management using stimulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and mood stabilizers, to highly effective nonpharmacological modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, behavior modification, milieu therapy, and expressive therapies including play, dramatic, music, movement, and bibliotherapy, all designed to foster safety, communication, and emotional regulation.