(1) Read your assigned in-depth case history in detail and make note of the age of the child and the disorder that is suspected (i.e., assigned). (2) After reading the case, refer to the DSM-V criteria for the assigned disorder (found in your textbook). For the suspected disorder, provide a bullet-pointed list of the symptom criteria. Be sure to include ALL the DSM-V criteria for the suspected disorder, including any specifiers.
a. If you do not wish to write out the entire criteria verbatim, you are welcome to label each with the relevant letter or number. For example, ADHD – located in the textbook pp.229-230, Table 8.1 – would include Criteria A.1 (inattentive symptoms) followed by a-i, Criteria A.2 (hyperactive symptoms) followed by a-I, Criteria B, C, D, and E, as well as three additional specifiers. b. Please be sure to include ALL relevant DSM-5 criteria for the suspected disorder! Don’t leave out the specifiers.
(3) For each symptom criteria, briefly note what evidence from the case you believe applies. a. Note that symptoms may not be mutually exclusive. The same symptoms may meet multiple criteria both within and across disorders. If one symptom meets multiple criteria, you should include the same symptom under both.
(4) Determine whether you believe that the individual described in the case history meets criteria for the suspected diagnosis or not.
(5) Write a brief paragraph explaining your diagnosis and reasoning. a. Remember, aside from the specific criteria, there should also be evidence of deviance, maladaptation, and distress!
b. It may be the case that the individual does not meet criteria for the suspected (i.e., assigned) disorder, but that you have suspicions they might meet criteria for a different one. You do not need to outline this potential alternative disorder/s, but you should provide a brief explanation for your suspicions if this is the case.
c. If you ultimately decide that there is no relevant disorder to be diagnosed, please explain why your patient did not meet criteria for disorder (do you have an alternate explanation for the symptoms?).
(6) Provide a brief description of the suspected etiology (i.e., set of risk factors or potential causes) for the disorder. This should be based on a combination of the evidence in the case study itself and your knowledge of the developmental factors associated with the suspected disorder.
a. Using your textbook, information from the course, and/or your own research, provide a brief (one paragraph) explanation for at least one possible risk factor contributing to the individual’s problematic symptoms. (7) Provide a brief overview of any contextual factors (e.g., developmental period, family, school, peer relationships, culture) that appear to be influencing the child’s current functioning.
a. What factors in the child’s development or environment may be contributing to or sustaining their maladaptive functioning? This should be based on the evidence in the case study.
b. Write a brief (one paragraph) explanation of what factors you believe to be contributing to the child’s current symptoms and evidence from the case study indicating why or how that may be the case. You should identify at least one relevant contextual factor.
(8) Provide a brief description of the strengths (i.e., set of protective factors) evident in the case.
a. What factors in this case, either within or outside of the child, may be a source of strength or resiliency? These factors may be currently supporting the child’s adaptive behavior or they may be something you notice in the case that has the potential to become a protective factor.
b. Write a brief (one paragraph) explanation for what you view to be the child’s strengths/protective factors with evidence from the case study indicating why or how that may be the case. You should identify at least one potential protective factor.
(9) List any lingering questions you have. a. Often, as practicing psychologists, you will be asked to make important decisions with limited information. Each of these case studies will be limited in some way. b. Write a brief (one paragraph) description of any additional information you would like to gain about this case. Describe how you might attain that information (e.g., how would you get it? who would you get it from?) and why you think it is important to know. i. For example – you may be on the fence about a comorbid or alternative diagnosis and you want to rule it out. You may have doubts about the accuracy of a reporter’s information and want to corroborate in a different context. You may have concerns about additional contextual factors that may be contributing to the case, or other issue that may arise across development. Any of these and more may be relevant here.
c. Provide at least one lingering question and be clear about why this is important and how you would seek to answer this question in future interactions with your patient.
(10) Provide a brief plan for treatment.
a. Write a brief (no more than one page, double-spaced) outline of the treatment strategy you would suggest for this child based on at least one “gold-standard” approach for the suspected disorder.
b. As treatment is not a primary component of this course, you will likely need to do some research to determine what the most effective, evidence-based treatment approaches are for the disorder included in your diagnosis. Your textbook is an excellent resource! I also often include additional information about treatments in the lecture Powerpoint slides posted in Blackboard even if we don’t specifically cover it in class. If you are having trouble with this, please contact Dr. Martin – I’m happy to help!
c. Given this information and everything you’ve written so far, describe the steps of the treatment plan, providing a brief description of the approach (e.g., if it’s psychopharmaceutical – what medication? If it’s behavioral therapy – what type?).
d. Also describe why you believe this treatment approach to be a good fit for this child (e.g., what aspects of their functioning will it address? What protective factors are you taking advantage of? How is it appropriate for their age level?).
e. Make sure that your treatment plan clearly follows from your case conceptualization. Are you making use of the protective factors you noticed? How are you taking into account contextual factors? The developmental stage of the child?
You do not need to cite the textbook, lecture material, or DSM-V. However, if you use additional resources (e.g., online sites, articles) to complete this case study, please be sure to provide references. This will ensure you avoid academic integrity violations. You should never copy and paste from the internet! If needed, please include a single reference page at the end of your assignment. Your citations should be in APA formatting. (Not sure? Check out: Purdue OWL.)
FORMAT: Altogether, your in-depth case evaluation should be double spaced and in either Arial or Times New Roman 12 pt. font. I suggest not making it any longer than 6 pages double-spaced. It may be shorter and that is completely fine! I prefer that you be concise and clear. If you find you need a little more than 6 pages, that’s ok too. But please err on the side of conciseness.
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