Assignment 1: Journal Review - LGBT Populations

While sexual identity is a very personal aspect of an individual's life, it also includes social and public aspects as well. It is social in that you generally include your significant other as a participant in social circles with your family, friends, and colleagues.

Sexual identity is public in that, during the course of day-to-day life, you present yourself and your significant other to society as a couple or as part of a family unit.

These social and public aspects make sexual identity development a unique process for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) individuals. This process is captured in life-span development as the six stages of coming out.

In terms of cognitive, life-span, and moral development, how might theories of development explain the experiences of individuals who might not identify with their social environment in terms of sexuality?

As a social worker, how might a better understanding of the developmental experiences of LGBT individuals allow you to help them develop or maintain a strong and positive sense of self?

For this assignment, search the Walden Library for an article(s) that addresses theories related to cognitive, lifespan, and moral development for one of the following populations:

oLesbian

oGay

oBisexual

Transgender

Then think about the potential external and internal developmental or moral struggles facing the population you selected. Finally, reflect on how your thoughts, biases, and/or experiences might influence your reactions to the article(s) you selected.

Assignment (2- to 4-page APA-formatted paper):

Your paper should include:

oAn explanation of the population you selected

oAn analysis of the article in terms of theories related to cognitive, lifespan, and moral development for that population.

oAn explanation of the developmental or moral challenges facing that population

oAn explanation of how your own thoughts, biases, and/or experiences influence your reaction to the article and population-based research.

References (use 3 or more)

Robbins, S. P., Chatterjee, P., & Canda, E. R. (2012). Contemporary human behavior theory: A critical perspective for social work (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Allyn & Bacon.

Termini, K., Golden, J. A., Lyndon, A. E., & Sheaffer, B. L. (2009). Reactive attachment disorder and cognitive, affective and behavioral dimensions of moral development. Behavioral Development Bulletin, 15(1), 18-28.

Thompson, R. A. (2012). Whither the preconventional child? Toward a life-span moral development theory. Child Development Perspectives, 6(4), 423-429.

Assignment 2 : Addressing Ethical Implications in the Treatment of ADHD

Generally, mental health professionals attempt to empower clients to care for their own problems by supporting client agency. However, in some cases clients may be stifled in their efforts to self-advocate.

In other instances, clients may make dangerous, potentially lethal decisions out of misinformation or attempts to get high.

Mental health professionals should be prepared to identify warning signs that might indicate a need to protect a client beyond asking that she or he take the necessary steps.

For this Assignment, review the ADHD case study of "Junior" in the Learning Resources. Consider the ethical implications of the client's presentation as well as the role of the mental health professional in treating this client. Plan steps to begin treatment of this client's condition.

In a 2- to 3-page, APA-formatted paper, include the following:

oAn explanation of what may be occurring in this case.

oAn explanation of the psychopharmacological interventions a mental health professional might recommend to treat this client and why these interventions might be necessary.

oAddress ethical implications that may be present in the client's presentation

oAddress larger ethical implications of medical treatment of ADHD by the mental health professional

Support your explanations with scholarly evidence and information from the DSM-5.

References (use 3 or more)

American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Lichtblau, L. (2011). Psychopharmacology demystified. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.

Preston, J. D., O'Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Berman, S. M., Kuczenski, R., McCracken, J. T., & London, E. D. (2009). Potential adverse effects of amphetamine treatment on brain and behavior: A review. Molecular Psychiatry, 14(2), 123-142.