2: A Disorders Schema
1. Watch, Listen, or Read
Dr. DiPasquale tells us, “if we’re going to talk about this wide variety, we need a simpler way to categorize some of these things.” This topic page will introduce you to a framework for thinking about the myriad of children's mental health difficulties. After viewing the clip, please look at the Notes below, and continue on to the Discussion Question which focuses on "A Disorders Schema".
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2. Notes
While the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV) features numerous diagnostic categories relevant to children’s mental health, Children’s Mental Health Ontario (http://www.cmho.org/) has only two, as depicted in the chart below. Note - this list represents only an excerpt of the whole schema developed by Children's Mental Health Ontario.
Children’s Mental Health Ontario Disorders Schema Chart
Social, Behavioral and Emotional Problems
- Bullying
- Violence
- Fire Setting
- Defiance
- Disruptive in Class
- Bulimia
- Anorexia
Psychiatric Disorders
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Autism Spectrum
- ADD/ADHD
- Depression
3. Discussion Question: A Disorders Schema
Why is there a need for an organizing schema like this? Dr. DiPasquale supports this diagnostic schema as a clearer way of understanding the constellation of mental health problems experienced by youth. Psychiatric disorders, which usually have apparent physical manifestations , have been separated out from those mental health disorders that are more behavioral in origin.
Please post your observations, comments, and questions below.
The fact, as Dr.Dipasquale points out, that there are so many issues/behaviours involved designates the need for an organizing diagnostic schema. To better help a youth, you would need to target their particular issues and try interventions proven to be effective. By using the above schema, you have a guide to help you find that particular diagnosis.
It is also less overwhelming when putting into contexst with a few other areas as opposed to looking at it from the DSMV !V poitn of view. Any parent, teacher would be intimidated by that!
Having didfferent categories/ schemas helps pin point or norrow down where the student needs help. To know where the diagnosis is coming from will help understand and guide the parent or teacher to deal with it appropriately.
I think that by having a set of categories we are better able to generalize our overall knowledge/understanding of the category itself as oppose to each specific diagnosis that exists within the category. This way it allows for people to have a generalized conversation about psychiatric problems, for example, with clear peramters as to what constitutes a psychiatric problem.