12.1 Introduction
Learning Objectives
- Assess children or adolescents with mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, or disruptive behaviors
- Assess family dynamics and include family members in planning nursing care for children and adolescents
- Describe psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medical treatments for children or adolescents with mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, or disruptive behaviors
- Discuss conditional confidentiality and mandatory reporting related to caring for children and adolescents
- Apply the nursing process to children or adolescents with mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, or disruptive behaviors
- Identify community resources for children and adolescents with mental health disorders that enhance individual and family functioning
- Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions
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] One in six children in the United States aged 2 to 8 years (17.4%) has a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. Behavior problems are more common among children aged 6 to 11 years.[2]
This chapter will discuss common mental health disorders and disabilities in children and adolescents, as well as interprofessional treatments and related nursing plans of care.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 24). Data and statistics on children’s mental health. https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/data.html ↵
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 24). Data and statistics on children’s mental health. 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.
