Taryn A. Myers, PhD, Virginia Wesleyan University
Please note: Clinical Choices allows you to enhance and test your understanding of the disorders and treatments covered in your textbook, in a simulated case study environment. It is not intended to replicate an actual intake interview or therapy session or provide training on therapeutic techniques. Clinical Choices is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for clinical training.
The receptionist hands you the intake paperwork prior to your interview with your new client, Gabriel, and mentions that his parents have brought him in after several meetings with the staff at Gabriel’s school about his behavior. Select the button below to review the paperwork before you begin the interview.
New Client
Gabriel: Case #11017
Psychological Clinic
Intake Paperwork
Client Name: Gabriel
Parent/Guardian Name(s) (if minor): Emily and Mateo
Age: 6 years old
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Biracial (Caucasian and Latino)
Occupation: Elementary school student
Current living situation: Lives with parents
Why are you seeking services at our clinic? We have received numerous complaints from Gabriel’s teachers about his outbursts in class. They’ve called us in for several conferences and told us that Gabriel won’t listen to instructions from adults, and also that he is struggling with his schoolwork.
You will now ask Gabriel and his parents a number of questions you would typically ask during the intake interview. As you conduct the interview with Gabriel and his parents, begin to think about his symptoms, what his diagnosis might be, and later, what type of treatment might be most helpful to him. Select the “play” button to hear Gabriel’s and his parents’ responses to your questions. To read the transcript for these answers, select the “transcript” button.
“Hi, Gabriel! It’s good to meet you. I’m a doctor, but I’m not the kind of doctor who will give you shots or anything like that. Instead, we’re going to talk about what’s going on with you at home and at school. Mom and Dad—Emily and Mateo, right?—it’s nice to meet you, too. What we are doing today is called an intake interview. I’m going to have you tell me why you are here today, and I’m going to ask you some questions that I ask everyone who comes here. This information will tell me how best to help you. This may mean having you continue to come to see me here at this clinic, or you may meet with another doctor. Let’s start. Gabriel, why do you think you are here today?”
Transcript
Gabriel: [sulky] Don’t know. They made me come. Who are you?
Mom: [embarrassed] Gabriel, darling, be nice to the doctor! I am very worried about Gabriel. He seems to be getting more and more disobedient. His first-grade teacher has called us in for several conferences. Apparently Gabriel is constantly being sent to the principal’s office for causing distractions in class and refusing to do what she asks him to do. [to Gabriel, pleading:] Gabriel, honey, stop fidgeting, please.
Dad: He’s also being disrespectful to his classmates. He distracts and annoys them in class, apparently. [sternly] This behavior is completely unacceptable!
Mom: His teacher also says that he is can’t sit still and he daydreams instead of paying attention in class – just like he is now. Gabriel, please … sit still. I know it’s hard for kids his age to pay attention, though, so maybe this is just normal?
Dad: [accusing] It’s not normal. You coddle him … you let him get away with all kinds of things!
“Emily, Mateo, what other concerns are you having at this time? How does Gabriel act at home?”
Transcript
Gabriel: [rudely] Nothing! What’s it to you?
Dad: As you can see, he’s so argumentative and stubborn. What a pain!
Mom: Well, it has been hard to get him off the tablet, get ready for bed and go to bed at a reasonable hour. He also won’t make his bed, which is the one chore we are trying to get him to do.
Dad: Hard! How about nearly impossible! We have a battle every night about giving up that iPad, taking a bath and brushing his teeth. He won’t even put his pajamas on by himself! Then, once we put him to bed, he won’t stay there! It’s getting to be more and more of a struggle.
Gabriel: [rudely] Why do I have to put on pjs? You just make me take ‘em off again when I wake up!
Mom: I have to bribe him with an extra dessert to get the iPad, so he can get ready for bed. That seems to work. Getting him to do his reading is a huge ordeal! His teacher says he seems to be slow to catch on with reading, so she asked us to have him read for half an hour at home. I give him more time on the iPad as a reward for reading.
Dad: That’s the main problem – Emily spoils that kid. He’s smart, too… don’t let him fool you…he’s figured out how to get more and more time on the iPad… [aside, to Gabriel:] Son, what have we said about keeping your behind in your seat?
Mom: [martyred] Go ahead, blame me, if it makes you happy, Mateo. Everything is always my fault. If you spent more time with Gabriel and treated him with respect instead of like a drill sergeant he would not be rebelling. His soccer coach is just like you. Gabriel is just a kid, for heaven’s sake! It’s hard for kids to sit still in a classroom or stand in one place for a stupid soccer game.
Dad: Don’t even get me started on soccer! – [harshly] Gabriel, come back here…sit still and pay attention when adults are talking!...He was rude to his soccer coach – again – at Saturday’s game. The coach put him on the sidelines for three minutes. He’s been fooling around at practice instead of doing drills. Then his coach dropped him from the team. The final straw was when he was goalie and refused to stay in the box and pay attention to the game. He drew pictures in the dirt or jumped up and down. I was so angry I had to leave the game. What an embarrassment!
Hint
Of what Gabriel and his parents have told us, think about what is fact and what is opinion.
“How do you react when Gabriel doesn’t listen to you or misbehaves?”
Transcript
Dad: Ugh. Don’t even get me started about his behavior at home. Six years old, and he already has a chip on his shoulder! It’s unbelievable!
Mom: He talks back pretty regularly.
Dad: He knows better than to argue with me, of course, because I will let him have it – a good hard smack on the behind shuts him up. But you ought to hear him and Emily go at it!
Mom: He argues constantly with me… about playing with iPad or my phone, about doing his reading, picking up his toys, getting ready for bed…everything is a struggle.
Dad: It’s because you treat him like your brother instead of your son. The way you argue, you sound more like siblings than mother and son.
Mom: [to Gabriel] Gabriel, come away from that bookshelf… stop that…sit down in your seat, please. [to therapist] I try to make reasoned arguments with him, but it doesn’t always work!
Dad: He never listens. You can’t reason with him.
Which of the following diagnoses is a potential explanation for Gabriel’s behaviors at home and at school? Select all that apply. To review the diagnostic criteria for each disorder, select the disorder name.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkOppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkConduct Disorder (CD)
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkSpecific Learning Disorder
wCfH0QtRgXJ8o+c+Autism Spectrum Disorder
Hint
Think about all of the symptoms Gabriel’s parents mentioned. There is more than one correct answer.
“What is it like for you at school, Gabriel? Do you get in trouble sometimes?”
Transcript
Gabriel: Yeah. The teacher doesn’t get it. The other kids get me in trouble. Yesterday, I was finishing up my picture book drawings and I needed the silver marker … and this girl wouldn’t share. [loudly] She’s supposed to SHARE! I tried to take it from her … and her drawing got ripped. Too bad for her – she should have SHARED! Not my fault! Other kids talk and then Miss Martin gets mad at me! [whiny] School is boring… I don’t want to read all day long. Too boring!
Mom: His teacher said she tries to get him back on task, and he talks back to her.
Dad: He does exactly what he’s doing now and blames other kids. Not right, son.
Mom: Like the marker incident. He ripped that girl’s paper and said it was her fault for not letting him borrow her marker.
Gabriel: [interrupting, indignant] It WAS her fault!! She deserved it!
Dad: [raising his voice] Gabriel, stop yelling! Don’t interrupt when adults are talking.
What behavioral symptoms is Gabriel exhibiting? Select all that apply.
Losing temper
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkBeing angry and resentful
wCfH0QtRgXJ8o+c+Showing physical cruelty to people or animals
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkArguing with authority figures
wCfH0QtRgXJ8o+c+Provoking physical fights
wCfH0QtRgXJ8o+c+Stealing
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkAnnoying others
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkBlaming others for own misbehavior
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkBeing spiteful or vindictive
wCfH0QtRgXJ8o+c+Using dangerous weapons
Hint
Review your interview with Gabriel and his parents to identify his symptoms.
Hint
Think about the symptoms you’ve identified: losing his temper, being angry, arguing with authority figures, annoying others, blaming others for his misbehavior, and being spiteful or vindictive.
“Gabriel, tell me about your family. What’s it like?”
Transcript
Gabriel: [nastily] Why do you want to know?
Dad: [angry] Answer the question, son!
Gabriel: [muttering begrudgingly] It’s just me and Mom and Dad. They tell me what to do all the time! Mom especially. She’s ALWAYS there! Dad is always at work.
Dad: [calmer] We are a very stable, normal family. That’s why Gabriel’s behavior is so embarrassing.
Mom: Mateo works as a salesman. I work part-time in retail, so I can be home for Gabriel when he gets home from school.
Dad: You know you don’t have to work. I can provide for us.
Mom: Believe it or not, it’s something I enjoy. I like to get out of the house and have contact with other adults! Plus I think it sets a good example for Gabriel to see both of his parents working and taking responsibility. [to Gabriel:] Sit down, son.
Dad: Taking care of Gabriel is your most important job. If you were home all the time, maybe this wouldn’t be happening!
Mom: [defensively] I am home whenever he’s home! What would I do when he’s at school all day? Don’t get me wrong, Gabriel is the light of my life and I love my son, but I also want to work. I think I can do both well… enough.
Hint
Think about the remaining problems you have yet to explore.
“Can you tell me more about what it’s like for you at school? Are you having a hard time with your schoolwork?”
Transcript
Gabriel: Why do you need to know all this stuff? I don’t know … sometimes when Miss Martin asks me stuff ... I don’t know the answer … [defensively] It’s hard, okay? And reading … it’s sooooo boring. I can read, but it’s soooooo boring!
Dad: I think he just needs to pay attention! He never listens at home – it’s not surprising he doesn’t at school either!
Mom: [plaintively] He’s just a kid. It’s really hard for him to focus. He’s only 6, for goodness sake. [to Gabriel:] Gabriel, please put those toys back right now!
Dad: [firmly] His teacher seems to think it’s more than him just being a kid. He daydreams in class, hums constantly and distracts other children. Apparently he is rude … he interrupts the teacher and other kids. When he does know an answer, he doesn’t wait to be called on. He just blurts it out.
Mom: [defensively] He can read. When he can focus on reading, he reads pretty well for a child his age. He can sound out words no problem and he recognizes common words pretty quickly. [sighs] It’s just hard to get him to actually sit down and read! He won’t focus – he whines and complains and wanders off to do something else. Then he’ll misplace the book, and forget where he left it. Reading with him can be exhausting.
Which of the following symptoms is Gabriel currently experiencing at school? Select all that apply.
Difficulty sustaining attention
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkLoss of items necessary for activities
wCfH0QtRgXJ8o+c+Inaccurate reading
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkFailure to follow through on instruction
wCfH0QtRgXJ8o+c+Difficulty understanding meaning of what is read
wCfH0QtRgXJ8o+c+Difficulty with mathematical reasoning
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkEasily distracted by irrelevant stimuli
wCfH0QtRgXJ8o+c+Academic skills are below those expected for his age
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkBlurts out answers
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkInterrupts others
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkFrequent wandering from seat
wCfH0QtRgXJ8o+c+Skills do not meet needs for classroom work
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkFrequent “on the go” activity
wCfH0QtRgXJ8o+c+Difficulties with spelling
Hint
Think about the symptoms reported by Gabriel’s parents as well as his behavior during your interview.
Hint
In making your choice, think about the following symptoms Gabriel exhibits:
From the File. You remember a former patient who experienced symptoms similar to Gabriel’s. You review this case to help you diagnose Gabriel.
Transcript
ELEANOR: Liam, just wait for the door [INAUDIBLE].
[CRYING]
Shh. Down here. Liam.
BRIAN: Liam, don't you dare. Come here. Come here. It's high up, that.
ELEANOR: Brian, [INAUDIBLE] is coming.
BRIAN: I don't like this.
ELEANOR: Liam, there's cars coming. Straight here now.
BRIAN: Me heart's just stopped beating then.
ELEANOR: Have you [INAUDIBLE]?
BRIAN: Because that was frightening, when he went running to there--
ELEANOR: Give me your hand. Give me your hand. Liam.
NARRATOR: Liam is fearless and impulsive. Brian and Eleanor know that if he sees something across the road, he won't think twice about running towards it, regardless of traffic.
ELEANOR: Liam, not too far in front please. Come here. First time I've told you Liam. If I have to keep telling you the same things, you do not go on the ride. Hold my hand. I'm standing here, and I'm not moving until you hold my hand. One-- two-- hold my hand. Or hold the pram then. Thank you. One or the other.
NARRATOR: He also rarely does what he is told.
ELEANOR: Hold the pram. Second time I've told you Liam. No.
[GASP]
LIAM: I don't like the way you [INAUDIBLE].
ELEANOR: I want you to hold the hand because it's very busy and [INAUDIBLE] get lost.
BRIAN: Liam--
ELEANOR: (STERNLY) Hold the pram. No.
LIAM: I don't need to hold the pram!
ELEANOR: Right. If I tell you one more time, you don't go on the ride. We've not even got into Wickham, Liam.
BRIAN: Calm.
ELEANOR: I don't want to calm. I want him to hold the pram. That's a simple thing.
LIAM: Hi. Hello.
ELEANOR: Liam, not too far in front please.
NARRATOR: Liam is constantly on the go, and he never stays with anything for long.
Hint
Think about all of the possible factors that may contribute to these disorders.
Hint
Think about the type of therapy that would use problem-solving skills.
Which of the following are the two MOST COMMON treatments for ADHD? Select two answers. To review the diagnostic treatment, select the treatment name.
Psychoanalysis
wCfH0QtRgXJ8o+c+Interpersonal Therapy
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkBehavioral/Sociocultural Therapy
bI0LPa9lfHQ+dYqkMedication
Hint
In making your choice, think about the need to treat both brain chemical imbalances and Gabriel’s misbehaviors.
EPILOGUE
After additional testing to confirm a diagnosis of ADHD, you diagnosed Gabriel with both ADHD and ODD. After your diagnosis, working with a child psychiatrist, he began taking Ritalin, starting at age 6. Gabriel is now 10 years old and in the fifth grade. He has continued taking the medication, off and on, for the past four years. Gabriel’s parents refused to participate in behavioral/sociocultural treatment, as his father said it would be “a waste of time and money.” At school, Gabriel received an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which entitled him to services from the school district. The IEP recommended that Gabriel work with a school psychologist and receive extra time and a quiet environment for testing. Gabriel was uncooperative with the school psychologist, so he made little progress. His schoolwork did not improve, but he was quieter at school. At home, he was just as defiant as ever.
Gabriel now has a new reputation: class bully. He is known as a mean kid who will go out of his way to hurt the other boys in his class. His fights have led to suspensions from school, which means that his mother, Emily, has to take time off from work to stay home with him. Emily has given up—she has lost control over Gabriel’s behavior. Mateo, Gabriel’s father, has only gotten angrier and stricter. Gabriel spends a lot of time in his room, grounded.
Last week Gabriel took Mateo’s cigarette lighter and set fire to papers in the trashcan in his room. Fortunately, the smoke detector went off and Emily and Mateo were able to put out the fire. Mateo was so angry that he ended up backhanding Gabriel in the face. Emily took Gabriel to her mother’s for the rest of the day.
Things reached a new low today. Emily got a call from the principal to come to school. Gabriel had pulled out a knife during recess and cut another student on the arm. The child had to be taken to the emergency room, and the cut required stitches. The principal asked Emily to call Mateo to come in for a meeting with the principal, Gabriel’s teacher, and the school psychologist. Emily is now worried that Gabriel will be expelled from school.
Hint
Think about the severity of Gabriel’s behavioral problems.
Real World Application
Watch this video and answer the questions that follow.
Transcript
NARRATOR: Age five, Liam was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-- ADHD.
MOTHER: Liam, come on, lad. Your hot chocolate's ready.
NARRATOR: Now, five years later, Liam's life has been transformed.
LIAM: Here you go.
MOTHER: Thank you.
LIAM: One, two, three, four, five.
MOTHER: Excuse me?
LIAM: What?
MOTHER: Whose go is it next?
LIAM: Mine?
MOTHER: No.
NARRATOR: His newfound ability to concentrate is largely thanks to a drug called methylphenidate, best known to most of us by a brand name, Ritalin.
MOTHER: It takes about 30 to 40 minutes for it to work. And it's not like Liam suddenly goes docile. it just basically just has a calming effect on him. He doesn't seem to be as hyperactive on the medication. And he's able to sit quietly, be able to focus on things like his homework, or just basically have a more normal life, really.
NARRATOR: And as for thousands of other children, Ritalin has had a remarkable effect on Liam.
LIAM: Feel calm. I don't feel like-- I feel energy, 'cause I can just run around all day if I wanted to. I'm just calm now and excited as well.
MOTHER: Now without the medication, you could ground Liam and he would go about the next day and do the same thing that he'd been grounded for the day before. With medication, it just enables him to consider the consequences a little bit more clearly of his actions.