• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.51 no.9
• /
• pp.922-934
• /
• 2008

Developmental language disorder is the most common developmental disability in childhood, occurring in 5-8% of preschool children. Children learn language in early childhood, and later they use language to learn. Children with language disorders are at increased risk for difficulties with reading and written language when they enter school. These problems often persist through adolescence or adulthood. Early intervention may prevent the more serious consequences of later academic problems, including learning disabilities. A child's performance in specific speech and language areas, such as phonological ability, vocabulary comprehension, and grammatical usage, is measured objectively using the most recently standardized, norm-referenced tests for a particular age group. Observation and qualitative analysis of a child's performance supplement objective test results are essential for making a diagnosis and devising a treatment plan. Emphasis on the team approach system in the evaluation of children with speech and language impairments has been increasing. Evidence-based therapeutic interventions with short-term, long-term, and functional outcome goals should be applied, because there are many examples of controversial practices that have not been validated in large, controlled trials. Following treatment intervention, periodic follow-up monitoring by a doctor is also important. In addition, a systematized national health policy for children with speech and language disorders should be provided.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.58 no.1
• /
• pp.8-14
• /
• 2015

In patients with a language developmental delay, it is necessary to make a differential diagnosis for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), specific language impairment, and mental retardation. It is important that pediatricians recognize the signs and symptoms of ASDs, as many patients with language developmental delays are ultimately diagnosed with ASDs. Pediatricians play an important role in the early recognition of ASDs, because they are usually the first point of contact for children with ASDs. A revision of the diagnostic criteria of ASDs was proposed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) that was released in May 2013. The autism spectrum describes a range of conditions classified as neurodevelopmental disorders in the fifth edition of the DSM. The new diagnostic criteria encompasses previous elements from the diagnosis of autistic disorder, Asperger disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified. An additional change to the DSM includes synthesizing the section on social and communication deficits into one domain. In ASD patients, the appropriate behavioral therapies and rehabilitation treatments significantly affect the prognosis. Therefore, this makes early diagnosis and treatment very important. In conclusion, pediatricians need to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of ASDs and be attentive to them in order to make an early diagnosis and provide treatment.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.12-18
• /
• 1997

In this article neuroanatomical theory and verbal developmental process were introduced, followed that disorders and assesment of language function were reviewed. Finally, the causes and assesment of developmental dyslexia as a childhood disorder related to verbal function were reviewed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.194-198
• /
• 2013

A total of 193 children between three and six years of age were given tests by using the PRES, REVT, KOSECT, and APAC. A specificity between referred and non-referred cases was not high. In the current study, the sensitivity of formal tests was insufficient. But combining of parental report with formal language tests could provide good criteria for identifying language impairment. The CCC-2 may provide an effective means to identify language difficulties using a standardized approach.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.24-34
• /
• 1991

Delayed emergence of speech or language are frequent causes for concern about development during early childhood. Dealy in evaluation and proper management until school entry in more likely to result in frustration, anxiety and school failure. Many language disturbances and their attendant behavior disorders respond to intensive language therapy. Authors analyzed the medical recoreds of 52 children with delayed language development evaluated during 30 months from January 1986 through June 1988. The results were as follows : 1. The majority of cases were evaluated at the age of 2-2.9 year old(16 cases, 30.8%) and 3-3.9 year old(11 cases, 21.2%) 2. Male to female ratio was 3 : 1 3. The most common cause was mental retardation(53.8%), followed by developmental language disorder(23.1%) and autism(13.5%) 4. The most common associated condition was dysarticulation(17.3%), followed by strabismus(9.6%) and seizures(7.7%) 5. Special education was recommended in cases of 23(44.2%), speech therapy in 12 cases(23.1%) and consultation to child psychiatry in 7 cases (13.5%). Making diagnosis of underlying disorders is not simple because assessment of intelligence in young children is difficult and only a few tests are standardized. More detailed study on children with delayed language development and development of psychometric tests for the handicapped children are necessary, especially in Korea.

• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.46-50
• /
• 2013

Developmental disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions originating in childhood that involve serious impairments in different areas. These disorders comprise language disorders, learning disorders, motor disorders and autism spectrum disorders. Midazolam is a short-acting drug in the benzodiazepine class developed by Hoffmann-La Roche in the 1970s. The drug is used for treatment of acute seizures, moderate to severe insomnia, and for inducing sedation and amnesia before medical procedures. It possesses profoundly potent anxiolytic, amnestic, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, skeletal muscle relaxant, and sedative properties. The anterograde amnesia property of midazolam is useful for premedication before surgery to inhibit unpleasant memories. This article presents a case report including caries treatment of a 8-year-old male patient with developmental disorders using oral midazolam premedication as an alternative method of behavior management prior to general anesthesia.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.149-156
• /
• 2001

After the fact that obsessive-compulsive symptoms or tic symptoms are common in Sydenham's chorea which is a sequale of rheumatic fever produced by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus was reported, the association between group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus and a subgroup of obsessivecompulsive disorder(OCD) or tic disorder has been attentioned. This subgroup shared a unique clinical course, characterized by an abrupt onset of symptoms and/or dramatic exacerbations. And this subgroup was distinguished by pre-pubertal onset of symptoms, neurological abnormalities(choreiform movements and a unique pattern of motoric hyperactivity), as well as by relapsing and remitting symptom course. Acronym PANDAS(pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection) was used to denote a subgroup of OCD or tic disorder patients with these clinical characteristics. Then, there was a report suggesting that PANDAS category include some of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) and were two case reports of anorexia nervosa and body dysmorphic disorder with characteristics of PANDAS. This case is a patient who developed normally until age of 7, but after pharyngeal inflammation with high fever, he showed disturbance of cognition, social relationship, and language and communication, as well as tic symtoms and abnormal movement on face, hand, and foot. We report this case with review of literatures, because we think that this case belongs to the PANDAS category. Based on this observation, we suggest that PANDAS category include some of childhood disintegrative disorder as well as OCD, tic disorder, and ADHD.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.188-195
• /
• 2012

Objectives:This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness of a day-center treatment program to promote development of children with pervasive development disorder (PDD) and pervasive development disorder/mental retardation (PDD/MR). Methods:Twenty five children (14 in the PDD group and 11 in the PDD/MR group) participated in a day-center treatment program. They had been enrolled in the whole program for 2-3 years. Their performance was evaluated according to the Preschool Language Scale (PRES), Social Maturity Scale (SMS), and Korean version of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). They were grouped by diagnosis at the beginning of the program and the treatment effect was compared. Results:Children who participated in the day-center treatment program showed a significant increase in their PRES and SMS scores and a decrease in their CARS scores. Conclusions:A day-center treatment program is effective for development of children with PDD and PDD/MR.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.64-75
• /
• 1999

Objective：The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of comorbid disorders and associated symptoms in pervasive developmental disorder(PDD) and to examine the correlation between associated symptoms and developmental characteristics in PDD children. Method：The sample consisted of 209 cases of PDD and 143 cases of developmental language disorder(DLD)(control group) who were treated at the Seoul National Mental Hospital from Jan. 1996 to Mar. 1999. The diagnostic work based on DSM-IV criteria was performed by one or two child psychiatrists, while the clinical feature was evaluated by doctors’s notes, occupational/speech therapy reports, and results of social maturity scale(SMS), childhood autism rating scale(CARS), and psycho-educational profile(PEP). Two groups were compared on a wide range of measures including comorbid disorders, associated symptoms, treatment drugs, and PEP. The relation between associated symptom & PEP was investigated in total(106 cases) and in each dignostic group. Sixty-four cases of PDD were divided into three groups by CARS and then compared on associated symptoms. Result：The prevalence of comorbid disorder was 19.6% in PDD, 41.2% in DLD. The rate of manifestation of 13 associated symptoms was 31.47% in PDD, 22.13% in DLD on the average. Associated symptoms significantly high in PDD were preoccupation, obsession, self-mutilation, stereotypy, sleep problems, and odd response. In total patient group, associated symptoms that significantly influenced PEP were preoccupation, self-stimulation, stereotypy, inappropriate affect, sleep problems, and odd response. But, in each diagnostic group, no associated symptom influenced PEP. Associated symptoms significantly different between the 3 groups of CARS were stereotypy, anxiety, and sleep problems. Conclusion：These preliminary results suggest that developmental characteristics may influence associated symptoms in PDD children and a realistic approach considering minute diagnosis by associated symptoms and comorbid disorders is required.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.22-28
• /
• 2011

Purpose: To investigate the clinical characteristics of late-onset epilepsy combined with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the relationship between certain types of electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities in ASD and associated neuropsychological problems. Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with ASD in early childhood and later developed clinical seizures were reviewed retrospectively. First, the clinical characteristics, language and behavioral regression, and EEG findings of these late-onset epilepsy patients with ASD were investigated. The patients were then classified into 2 groups according to the severity of the EEG abnormalities in the background rhythm and paroxysmal discharges. In the severe group, EEG showed persistent asymmetry, slow and disorganized background rhythms, and continuous sharp and slow waves during slow sleep (CSWS). Results: Between the two groups, there was no statistically significant difference in mean age (P=0.259), age of epilepsy diagnosis (P=0.237), associated family history (P=0.074), and positive abnormal magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings (P=0.084). The severe EEG group tended to have more neuropsychological problems (P=0.074). The severe group statistically showed more electrographic seizures in EEG (P=0.000). Rett syndrome was correlated with more severe EEG abnormalities (P=0.002). Although formal cognitive function tests were not performed, the parents reported an improvement in neuropsychological function on the follow up checkup according to a parent's questionnaire. Conclusion: Although some ASD patients with late-onset epilepsy showed severe EEG abnormalities, including CSWS, they generally showed an improvement in EEG and clinical symptoms in the longterm follow up. In addition, severe EEG abnormalities tended to be related to the neuropsychological function.