The focus of this assignment is to make decisions regarding the diagnosis and treatment of the 8-year-old with school difficulties. The first decision is about the client’s diagnosis while the other two decisions will be on the client’s treatment. The paper will also discuss ethical issues that may impact the client’s treatment plan. Practicum Decision Tree – young girl with difficulties in school case study OR

Decision Tree

Introduction

The focus of this assignment is to make decisions regarding the diagnosis and treatment of the 8-year-old with school difficulties. The first decision is about the client’s diagnosis while the other two decisions will be on the client’s treatment. The paper will also discuss ethical issues that may impact the client’s treatment plan.

Decision #1: Differential Diagnosis

The first decision is that the client’s diagnosis is 314.00 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, predominantly inattentive presentation. The reason for selecting this decision is because Katie is manifesting inattention symptoms for ADHD. DSM-5 criteria delineate symptoms of ADHD inattention to include: inattention to details; making mistakes during classwork or at workplace; lack of attention when carrying out duties or during play; inability to actively or directly listen during conversations; not being able o follow instructions; leaving schoolwork or work duties unfinished; inability to organize activities and duties; avoiding activities that require mental concentration; misplacing important things; being forgetful; and being easily distracted (Emser et al, 2018) Similarly, Katie manifests majority of these symptoms and hence the diagnosis of 314.00 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, predominantly inattentive presentation is appropriate (Tong et al, 2016). There are other instruments that can be used to further confirm the client’s ADHD diagnosis and they include the Child Behavior Checklist and Vanderbilt Assessment Scale, ACTeRS. Practicum Decision Tree – young girl with difficulties in school case study

By selecting this decision, the aim was that the correct diagnosis for this client would be made in order to ensure the client received the appropriate treatment.

Decision #2: Treatment Plan for Psychotherapy

The second decision is for Katie to start Adderall XR 10 mg orally daily. The reason behind selection of this decision is due to the fact that Adderall XR is approved by FDA to treat ADHD. The medication has been demonstrated to be effective to treat symptoms of ADHD. According to Brown et al (2018) Adderall has been demonstrated to have efficacy in improving attention span and focus, as well as in improving memory and concentration. Another reason for choosing the drug is because it has few side effects and its effect wears-off gradually.

By selecting Adderall for this client, the expectation was the symptoms of ADHD would improve since the medication’s efficacy has been shown in regard to improving ADHD symptoms (Brown et al, 2018). It was expected that the client will maintain attention and focus in the classroom and that she will have minimal or no side effects after taking the medication. Practicum Decision Tree – young girl with difficulties in school case study

As it was expected, the ADHD symptoms improved as depicted by the client’s attention in class improving where she maintained attention in the class during morning hours. Nonetheless, there are some notable variations from the expected outcome. One, the client was only able to maintain concentration during morning hours as indicated by her day-dreaming in afternoon classes. The reason for this is because inattention symptoms surfaced following the wearing off of the drug’s effect. Secondly, the client reported appetite loss after she started taking Adderall. Loss of appetite is among the main side effects of Adderall. (Briars & Todd, 2016).

Decision #3: Treatment Plan for Psychopharmacology

The selected decision third decision is for the client to be added a small dose of immediate-release of Adderall during the early afternoon. This decision was chosen because the first medication is wearing off and thus the client is not able to maintain attention in the afternoon. Therefore, addition of small dose of Adderall during afternoon will assist the client to be attentive even in the afternoon (Briars & Todd, 2016). The other alternative decisions would not be useful in addressing the inattention evident in the client during afternoon hours.

Ethical Considerations

The most important ethical consideration in this client is the addition associated with medications used to treat ADHD. It is important to explain to the client’s family regarding the potential side effects and addictive aspect (Keilow et al, 2018). In addition, during the client’s treatment, close monitoring should be done and only the prescribed dose should be released to the client. Moreover, the care provider should seek informed consent from the client’s parents and explain comprehensively regarding the available treatment choices so that they can make an informed decision. Fi