Neurobehavioral Assessment of Children and Adolescents Attending a Developmental Disabilities Clinic

Abstract

Although the risk of the eventual development of tardive dyskinesia and other persistent adverse effects of neuroleptics is high, among adults with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities, neuroleptics may ameliorate dyskinesias, aggression, and inattention. The effects of traditional neuroleptics on a comparable population of children and adolescents with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities are unknown. The objective of this study was to develop an assessment battery to describe the effects of traditional neuroleptics on the behavior and movements of a small sample of children and adolescents with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. 13 children and adolescents aged 6 to 16 years attending a developmental disabilities clinic were evaluated utilizing a Movement Assessment Battery to measure behavior and motions. Five subjects took traditional neuroleptic medications. Trained raters can reliably assess the movements and behaviors of children and adolescents with multiple handicaps. Children and adolescents with developmental disabilities may be vulnerable to experience functional impairment and akathisia, tics, and other dyskinesias when administered traditional neuroleptic medications.

Positron Emission Tomography in the Neuroimaging of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review

“…The two medical history data collection tools considered the gold standard for clinical diagnosis of ASD are: Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R), which is a structured interview for the family members of the patient ( Le Couteur et al, 2003 ), and The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), which is a play-based interview with children and their families or with high-functioning children, adolescents, or adults ( Lord et al, 2012 ). Clinical evaluation of patients with ASD includes physical and neurological examinations ( Brasić et al, 2004 ). In addition, neuroimaging is also an effective evaluation tool for the diagnosis and treatment of ASD.…”