By: W Douglas Tynan, PhD, Chief Psychologist, Nemours Health and Prevention Division Programs; Director, Primary Care Mental Health Program, A I duPont Hospital for Children; Consulting Psychologist, Nemours Clinical Management
Source: WebMD

Synonyms and related keywords: oppositional defiant disorder, ODD, conduct disorder, disruptive behavior, defiant behavior, negativistic behavior, hostile behavior, disobedience, stubbornness, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, irritability, impulsivity, harshly punitive behaviors, peer rejection, noncompliance with commands, overreaction to life events, antisocial actions, learning disorders, parent management training, maladaptive parent-child interactions

Source: Mayo Clinic

Work problems, getting married, going away to school, an illness — any number of life changes can cause stress. Most of the time, people adjust to such changes within a few months. But if you continue to feel stressed, hopeless, worried or even reckless, you may have an adjustment disorder.

From National Association of School Psychologists
By Rhonda K. Palmquist

As a school psychologist, I have had many opportunities to work with children and their parents who are presented with a life-changing diagnosis and associated needs. In reaction to such challenges--physical, emotional or educational, I have been privileged to witness how resourceful parents can become effective advocates. It is from this perspective that I would like to share with you my experience while learning about my son's diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome (TS).

From National Assocoation of School Psychologists
by Diane B. Findley, Ph.D., Yale University School of Medicine

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an often-misunderstood neuropsychiatric disorder. It occurs more often in males and affects four to five children per 10,000, although some studies report rates as high as 3% of the population. Because most cases of TS are mild and do not come to medical attention, or are often unrecognized and misdiagnosed, prevalence rates have been difficult to determine.

From Selective Mutism Childhood Anxiety Network
By: Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum Executive Director/Medical Director The Selective Mutism Group Childhood Anxiety Network (SMG~ CAN) 215-887-5748

What Is Selective Mutism?
Selective Mutism is a complex childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a child’s inability to speak in select social settings, such as school. These children are able to talk normally in settings where they are comfortable, secure and relaxed.

Over 90% of children with Selective Mutism also have social phobia or social anxiety. This disorder is quite debilitating and painful to the child. Children and adolescents with Selective Mutism have an actual FEAR of speaking and social interactions where there is an expectation to talk. They often stand motionless with fear as they are confronted with specific social settings. This can be quite heart wrenching to watch. These children are so anxious they literally freeze, are expressionless, unemotional and often, socially isolated.

From NYU's Child Study Center
by Susan Schwartz, MA.Ed., Matthew Cruger, Ph. D

In this issue of the NYU Child Study Center Letter, we describe the symptoms associated with learning problems, how a neuropsychological learning evaluation examines the way in which brain functions affect the learning process, specifically in the domains of language, memory, executive functioning, visual skills and sensorimotor functioning. Also discussed are the ways in which this diagnostic information is used to construct a profile of a child’s learning style and academic functioning, as well as classroom recommendations.

This Brain Primer is written to help lay people understand the basic structures and functions of the brain and nervous system. This is from the Society for Neuoscience.

More good information can be found the Brain Briefings and the more basic Brain Backgrounders pages on the same site.

From the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a treatable illness involving extreme changes in mood, thought, energy, and behavior. A person with bipolar disorder has moods that usually alternate between mania, or extremely "up" mood, and depression, or extremely "down" mood. This change or "mood swing" can last for hours, days, weeks, or even months. Typically, someone with bipolar disorder experiences one or two cycles a year, with manic episodes generally occurring in the spring or fall.

From National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke part of the National Institutes of Health

Diagnostic tests and procedures are vital tools that help physicians confirm or rule out the presence of a neurological disorder or other medical condition. A century ago, the only way to make a positive diagnosis for many neurological disorders was by performing an autopsy after a patient had died. But decades of basic research into the characteristics of disease, and the development of techniques that allow scientists to see inside the living brain and monitor nervous system activity as it occurs, have given doctors powerful and accurate tools to diagnose disease and to test how well a particular therapy may be working.

Perhaps the most significant changes in diagnostic imaging over the past 20 years are improvements in spatial resolution (size, intensity, and clarity) of anatomical images and reductions in the time needed to send signals to and receive data from the area being imaged. These advances allow physicians to simultaneously see the structure of the brain and the changes in brain activity as they occur. Scientists continue to improve methods that will provide sharper anatomical images and more detailed functional information.

From National Institute of Mental Health part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But there is good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.