Disruptive & Conduct Disorders
This disorder is characterized by angry/irritable mood, argumentative/defiant behavior, and vindictiveness lasting ≥6 months.
What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)?
Unlike Conduct Disorder, ODD does not involve aggression or serious rule violations.
This diagnosis requires exposure to a traumatic event and symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance, negative mood, and hyperarousal.
What is PTSD?
Duration >1 month; if <1 month → Acute Stress Disorder.
This trisomy causes intellectual disability, flat facial profile, and risk for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
What is Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)?
Due to triplication of amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene on chromosome 21.
This term describes a specific impairment in reading, often with intact IQ and comprehension.
What is Dyslexia?
Most common specific learning disorder.
This class of medications is considered first-line for treating ADHD.
What are stimulants (methylphenidate or amphetamines)?
Monitor growth, appetite, sleep, and blood pressure.
This evidence-based parent intervention program teaches positive reinforcement and consistent discipline strategies.
What is Parent Management Training (PMT)?
PMT is first-line treatment for ODD and conduct problems in younger children.
According to the AACAP Practice Parameter, first-line therapy for pediatric PTSD is this modality.
What is Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)?
Strongest evidence base; includes psychoeducation, exposure, and parental involvement.
This X-linked condition presents with macroorchidism, large ears, and autistic behaviors.
What is Fragile X Syndrome?
Caused by CGG trinucleotide expansion on the FMR1 gene.
This test assesses cognitive ability across multiple domains in children ages 6–16 (Full scale IQ)
What is the WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children)?
Yields Full Scale IQ and indices for working memory, processing speed, and reasoning.
This non-stimulant ADHD medication is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
What is Atomoxetine (Strattera)?
Good for comorbid anxiety; carries black box warning for suicidal ideation. Also used to treat comorbid tics
Children with Conduct Disorder often show callous-unemotional traits, linked to lower activity in this brain region during empathy tasks.
What is the amygdala?
These traits predict poorer response to traditional behavioral therapy.
Children with early trauma may develop Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) or Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) due to this early life factor.
What is severe neglect or inconsistent caregiving?
RAD = emotionally withdrawn; DSED = indiscriminate friendliness.
A child with hepatomegaly, tremor, and psychiatric symptoms has low ceruloplasmin.
What is Wilson’s Disease?
ATP7B mutation → copper accumulation → hepatic + neuropsychiatric symptoms.
This neuropsychological measure assesses sustained attention and impulsivity, often used in ADHD evaluations.
What is the Continuous Performance Test (CPT)?
Quantifies omission (inattention) and commission (impulsivity) errors.
This atypical antipsychotic carries the highest risk for metabolic side effects in youth.
What is Olanzapine?
Causes weight gain, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance; monitor metabolic labs.
Name one comorbid condition frequently seen in youth with Conduct Disorder.
What are ADHD, substance use, depression, or learning disorders?
High comorbidity rates make multimodal treatment essential (family, school, therapy, medication).
These neurobiological systems show dysregulation in children with PTSD, leading to hyperarousal and emotional dyscontrol.
What are the HPA axis and amygdala-prefrontal circuitry?
Chronic stress → elevated cortisol → decreased hippocampal volume
Name one neurocutaneous disorder that can cause both seizures and autism symptoms.
What is Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) or Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)?
Neurodevelopmental symptoms often precede visible dermatologic findings.
Children with right hemisphere lesions often have deficits in this area of communication.
What is pragmatic or social language?
Right hemisphere crucial for prosody, affect recognition, and inference.
This SSRI is FDA-approved for OCD in children ≥6 years old.
What is Sertraline (Zoloft)?
Always start low and titrate slowly to avoid activation or GI upset.
This theory posits that children learn aggression through observing and imitating others’ behaviors.
What is Bandura's Social Learning Theory?
Modeling and reinforcement shape behavior — critical rationale for parent-based and environmental interventions.
Children with PTSD often show reduced activation of this frontal brain region during fear extinction.
What is the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC)?
Failure of top-down inhibition contributes to persistent fear responses.
This autosomal recessive leukodystrophy presents with developmental regression and abnormal arylsulfatase A enzyme activity.
What is Metachromatic Leukodystrophy?
Psychiatric regression and irritability may precede motor decline.
A child with language delay but normal hearing and cognition likely has a disorder involving this left perisylvian region.
What is Broca’s or Wernicke’s area?
Broca’s = expressive deficits; Wernicke’s = receptive deficits — both can impact early social development.
This antiepileptic mood stabilizer carries a risk of hepatotoxicity and pancreatitis, particularly in children <2 years old.
What is Valproic Acid (Depakote)?
Check LFTs, ammonia, and CBC regularly; contraindicated in mitochondrial disorders.