RPT Child Development & Psychopathology 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 7-year-old child experiences persistent depressive episodes lasting more than one year without meeting full criteria for Major Depressive Disorder. Which DSM-5 diagnosis is most appropriate?
- Dysthymia
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (Correct answer)
- Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Correct answer: Persistent Depressive Disorder
Persistent Depressive Disorder (formerly Dysthymia) is diagnosed when depressed mood persists for at least one year in children without meeting full MDD criteria.
Question 2: Erik Erikson's psychosocial stage of 'Industry vs. Inferiority' primarily corresponds to which age range?
- Ages 2–4
- Ages 5–7
- Ages 6–11 (Correct answer)
- Ages 12–18
Correct answer: Ages 6–11
Industry vs. Inferiority spans ages 6–11, when children strive to develop competence through school, social, and creative tasks.
Question 3: Which of the following is a core diagnostic criterion that differentiates Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder?
- Delayed language development
- Deficits in social communication
- Presence of restricted, repetitive behaviors or interests (Correct answer)
- Difficulty with nonverbal communication
Correct answer: Presence of restricted, repetitive behaviors or interests
Restricted, repetitive behaviors and interests are required for ASD diagnosis and are absent in Social Communication Disorder.
Question 4: In trauma-informed play therapy, the concept of 'window of tolerance' refers to:
- The number of sessions a child can tolerate before therapy becomes counterproductive
- The optimal zone of arousal where a child can process traumatic material without becoming dysregulated (Correct answer)
- The therapist's capacity to tolerate hearing traumatic content
- The maximum age range during which trauma can be effectively treated
Correct answer: The optimal zone of arousal where a child can process traumatic material without becoming dysregulated
The window of tolerance describes the arousal zone where a child can engage with traumatic material without hyperarousal or hypoarousal.
Question 5: Selective Mutism in children must be distinguished from which condition because both involve absence of speech in social situations?
- Expressive Language Disorder
- Intellectual Disability
- Social Anxiety Disorder (Correct answer)
- Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder
Correct answer: Social Anxiety Disorder
Selective Mutism often co-occurs with Social Anxiety Disorder and both involve avoidance of speaking, requiring careful differential diagnosis.
Question 6: Margaret Mahler's separation-individuation theory describes which subphase where toddlers actively practice locomotion and show excitement about their new autonomy?
- Differentiation
- Practicing (Correct answer)
- Rapprochement
- Object Constancy
Correct answer: Practicing
The Practicing subphase (10–16 months) is characterized by locomotor excitement and peak elation as toddlers explore independence.
Question 7: A play therapist observes a 9-year-old engaging in play that consistently involves themes of power, control, and rescuing victims. According to Homeyer and Sweeney, these themes most likely reflect:
- Normal developmental interests in superheroes at this age
- A possible history of trauma or experiences of powerlessness (Correct answer)
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder symptomatology
- Advanced cognitive development and moral reasoning
Correct answer: A possible history of trauma or experiences of powerlessness
Recurring themes of power and rescuing in play are frequently associated with trauma histories and children's need to master experiences of powerlessness.
RPT Child Development & Psychopathology 3
A 7-year-old child experiences persistent depressive episodes lasting more than one year without meeting full criteria for Major Depressive Disorder.
Which DSM-5 diagnosis is most appropriate?