12.1 Introduction
Learning Objectives
- Identify assessment cues of mental health disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and adolescence
- Identify nursing priorities for clients with mental health disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and adolescence
- Plan outcomes for clients with mental health disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and adolescence
- Differentiate safety/protective interventions for clients with mental health disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and adolescence
- Apply evidence-based practice when planning care and interventions for clients with mental health disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and adolescence
- Analyze treatments for clients with mental health disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and adolescence
- Apply the nursing process to clients with mental health disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and adolescence at risk for suicide
- Explain conditional confidentiality and mandatory reporting related to caring for children and adolescents
Mental health disorders among children are described as “serious changes in the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, causing distress and problems getting through the day.”[1] Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of conditions with physical, learning, language, or behavioral impairments that begin during a child’s developmental period, impact their day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout their lifetime.[2] Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder are common examples of neurodevelopmental disorders.
One in six children in the United States aged 2 to 8 years (17.4%) has a diagnosed mental health disorder, developmental disorder, or behavioral disorder. Behavior problems are more common among children aged 6 to 11 years.[3]
This chapter will discuss common mental health disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents and collaborative treatments.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 24). Data and statistics on children’s mental health. https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/data.html ↵
- Ernstmeyer, K., & Christman, E. (Eds.). (2022). Nursing: Mental health and community concepts. https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/nursingmhcc/ ↵
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 24). Data and statistics on children’s mental health. https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/data.html ↵
Serious changes in the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, causing distress and problems getting through the day.
