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Child Learning Behaviors, Elderly Memory Issues

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Discussion Topic 1 of 1 (Minimum 350 words & APA format References)
You have just begun your career as a psychology professional, and the first client referred to you is a child who is having problems in school. The problems described by his teacher are that he has trouble sitting still and paying attention. Additionally, the teacher tells you that he acts before thinking, demonstrates poor judgment, has difficulty organizing tasks and activities, seems restless, and does not seem motivated. The second client referred to you is an elderly woman in her 80s whose adult children tell you that she is having some trouble lately remembering where she puts things at home. They also mention that she is having trouble recognizing people that she has known her entire life.
Based on what you have learned in this unit; how would you assess each of the clients? Make sure to explain the diagnostic criteria for your assessment.
Would you recommend pharmacological treatment for the child? Why or why not? For the elderly woman? Why or why not? What psychoactive drugs would you recommend for each and why? What are the possible drug interactions for the child? For the elderly woman?

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Solution Summary

The solution provides information, assistance and advise in tackling the task (see above) on the topic of analysing cases with specific symptoms (learning issues in children, memory issues in the elderly). Resources are listed for further exploration of the topic (see problem below).

"You have just begun your career as a psychology professional, and the first client referred to you is a child who is having problems in school. The problems described by his teacher are that he has trouble sitting still and paying attention. Additionally, the teacher tells you that he acts before thinking, demonstrates poor judgment, has difficulty organizing tasks and activities, seems restless, and does not seem motivated. The second client referred to you is an elderly woman in her 80s whose adult children tell you that she is having some trouble lately remembering where she puts things at home. They also mention that she is having trouble recognizing people that she has known her entire life."

Task:

Based on what you have learned in this unit; how would you assess each of the clients? Make sure to explain the diagnostic criteria for your assessment.
Would you recommend pharmacological treatment for the child? Why or why not? For the elderly woman? Why or why not? What psychoactive drugs would you recommend for each and why? What are the possible drug interactions for the child? For the elderly woman?

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Diagnostic Tests for Sample Cases

Child Learning and Behavior

In the case of this child, while he appears to have symptoms of behavior, learning and impulse control issues, it is important to perform diagnostic assessments to determine with some form of certainty the form of behavioral or cognitive issues the child might have. Only in this way can an appropriate and working treatment plan be formulated. In this case, I suspect a form of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with instances of inattentiveness. For assessment purposes, I will first utilize an initial screening to put the issue into context by observing the child in class and speaking to his parents and teachers - if possible. There are a number of diagnostic tests that can be undertaken. First off, I will utilize an ADHD Symptoms Checklist (Amen, 1995) to initially determine from information gathered on initial background research if the ADHD is a factor in the child's learning and classroom issues. If the checklist reveals ADHD to be a factor, I will test for the likely 'Type' - Inattentive Type, Hyperactive-Impulsive Type and the Combined Type. To do this means seeking for symptoms that represents any of the 3 types.

Some psychologists have divided their own ...

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  • MA, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
  • Certificate, Geva Ulpan (via Universita Tel Aviv)
  • BA, University of the Philippines
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