Directions: Answer the following questions to the best of your ability.
1) Tommy Johnson is a 5-year-old boy. He has difficulty communicating with his peers and frequently fails to respond when people speak to him. Tommy never initiates conversations and rarely makes eye contact with other individuals. Periodically, Tommy becomes upset and loses his temper throughout the school day. Tommy is not the only person like this in his family. His older brother, Matthew, exhibits similar symptoms, including certain repetitive behaviors, difficulty with social skills, and behavioral problems.
What childhood disorder is Tommy suffering from? What are the possible treatments for his disorder and what is his long-term prognosis?
2) Jennifer had no problems in preschool. In kindergarten, she seemed to learn her letters and numbers, and could read a dozen words on sight. Her teacher said that she was doing well, but her parents noticed that she seemed more disorganized and inattentive than her older sister was at the same age. They often had to repeat instructions, and she left half-finished drawings all over her room. In first grade, Jennifer had mild difficulty with arithmetic, but now the teacher was concerned that she seemed to not be listening much of the time. Jennifer's school work was inconsistent and often she failed to finish assignments.
What childhood disorder is Jennifer suffering from? What are the potential causes of this disorder? Explain the best treatment for her.
3) Charu often dresses very flamboyantly. She is single, in her late 20âs and teaching in a primary school, and when she doesn't have class she is often out late on a date. Charu makes promises to other people that are impossible to keep, but that are aimed at winning their approval; when she broeaks the promise, she usually makes up a story designed to elicit sympathy and compassion. When confronted about this, Charu may fly into a rage and blame others, without any truth to her accusations. Charu often interrupts discussions to talk about her latest boyfriend. The boyfriends change almost monthly, but her enthusiasm (Like no other man I have ever met!) and optimism about the future (He is the guy I want to spend the rest of my life with!) remains high for each of them. Wedding plansare seriously discussed with almost everyone, despite their brief acquaintance. Her disorganized habits often get her into trouble, but by ingratiating herself to the male teachers, she is saved from one dilemma after another.
What specific disorder is Charu suffering from? Which cluster would that fall under? What are the proposed causes? What is her prognosis?
4) Tyler is a 15-year-old male who is currently living at home with his mother and younger sister. His mother describes Tyler as always being an odd child who had significant difficulty relating to his peers. As a child, he would spend a great deal of time alone involved in role playing. His mother said that social situations always provoke great anxiety in Tyler and he is extremely socially inept. Tyler rarely socializes, and when he is not in school he spends most of his time on his computer. Tyler spends several hours a day on the Internet playing on-line games and interacting with others in chat rooms. Tyler reports having one close real-life friend but it is not clear when he sees this person. However, he did list several online friends, none of whom he has actually met in person. Tyler has a history of doing poorly in mainstream school and currently is attending a vocational school. He reports being very anxious at school because he doesn't fit in. His mother suffers from depression and anxiety, and he has two maternal uncles diagnosed with schizophrenia.
What specific disorder is Tyler suffering from? Which cluster would that fall under? What is the best treatment to use for Tyler and what is his prognosis?