Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health

August 2003

Question:

Are there effective/evidence-based interventions for youth who have a dual diagnosis of developmental and emotional disorders?

According to the DSMIV "Developmental Disorders are characterized by severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development: reciprocal interaction skills, communication skills, or the presence of stereotyped behavior, interests, and activities. The qualitative impairments that define these conditions are distinctly deviant relative to the individual's developmental level or mental age."

The most common Developmental Disorders are these:

Mental Retardation
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Autistic Disorder
Rett's Disorder
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Asperger's Disorder
Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
Reactive Attachment Disorder of Infancy or Early Childhood

They are most apt to co-occur with these emotional disorders:

Self-Injurious Behaviors(SIB)
Oppositional/Conduct Disorders
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Depression
Anxiety
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Substance Abuse
Communication Disorders

A number of effective/evidence-based interventions can be used with youth who have a dual diagnosis:

PSYCHODYNAMIC

Group therapy with psychodynamic and social learning theory
Empathy training program

COGNITIVE AND/OR BEHAVIORAL

Assertiveness training
Self-management training
Communication skills training
Functional independence training
Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO)
Differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors (DRI)

EFFECTIVE MEDICATIONS

Opiate antagonists
Lithium
Thioridozine
Anti-convulsants

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	August 2003 Question: Are there effective/evidence-based interventions for youth who have a dual diagnosis of developmental and emotional disorders? According to the DSMIV "Developmental Disorders are characterized by severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development: reciprocal interaction skills, communication skills, or the presence of stereotyped behavior, interests, and activities. The qualitative impairments that define these conditions are distinctly deviant relative to the individual's developmental level or mental age." The most common Developmental Disorders are these: Mental Retardation Pervasive Developmental Disorders Autistic Disorder Rett's Disorder Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Asperger's Disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified Reactive Attachment Disorder of Infancy or Early Childhood They are most apt to co-occur with these emotional disorders: Self-Injurious Behaviors(SIB) Oppositional/Conduct Disorders Intermittent Explosive Disorder Depression Anxiety Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Substance Abuse Communication Disorders A number of effective/evidence-based interventions can be used with youth who have a dual diagnosis: PSYCHODYNAMIC Group therapy with psychodynamic and social learning theory Empathy training program COGNITIVE AND/OR BEHAVIORAL Assertiveness training Self-management training Communication skills training Functional independence training Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) Differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors (DRI) EFFECTIVE MEDICATIONS Opiate antagonists Lithium Thioridozine Anti-convulsants

Mental Health and Systems of Care Frequently Asked Questions