Learning Objectives: Participants will describe issues related to Infant Mental Health Assessment and Treatment Increased interest in infant mental health has led to the establishment of clinical settings for infants and toddlers (0-3 years) and a focus on developing valid diagnostic concepts and tools. There are two diagnostic systems currently in use for this age group: DSM-IV and DC:0-3. The limitations of the DSM-IV have been described and the DC:0-3 is in its early development stage. Early identification, classification and intervention with young children with mental disorder will have significant public health benefits. We describe 100 infants and toddlers under three years of age who were seen in an infant mental health clinic in a public hospital. They were 67% male with a mean age of 22 months. The ethnic breakdown was as follows: African-American, 58%; Caucasian, 34%; Hispanic, 5%; Native American, 1%. Most (66%) lived with, at least, one biological parent and more than half (60%) were referred by health care professionals. The most frequent DSM-IV Diagnoses were Communications Disorders (42%), Relational Problems (26%), Disruptive Behavior (15%), Anxiety Disorders (13%) and Feeding Disorders (10%). We describe some of the clinical issues and public health implications for these most frequent diagnoses. Comparison with previously reported clinic samples is described. Considerable research is needed to address the assessment, diagnostic and treatment issues for very young children with emotional and behavioral disorders.
Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Interventions
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.