Neurodevelopmental problems in maltreated children referred with indiscriminate friendliness

Kocovska, E., Puckering, C., Follan, M., Smillie, M., Gorski, C., Lidstone, E., Pritchett, R., Hockaday, H. and Minnis, H. (2012) Neurodevelopmental problems in maltreated children referred with indiscriminate friendliness. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 33(5), pp. 1560-1565. (doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2012.02.016)

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Abstract

We aimed to explore the extent of neurodevelopmental difficulties in severely maltreated adopted children. We recruited 34 adopted children, referred with symptoms of indiscriminate friendliness and a history of severe maltreatment in their early childhood and 32 typically developing comparison children without such a history, living in biological families. All 66 children, aged 5–12 years, underwent a detailed neuropsychiatric assessment. The overwhelming majority of the adopted/indiscriminately friendly group had a range of psychiatric diagnoses, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and one third exhibited the disorganised pattern of attachment. The mean IQ was 15 points lower than the comparison group and the majority of the adopted group had suspected language disorder and/or delay. Our findings show that school-aged adopted children with a history of severe maltreatment can have very complex and sometimes disabling neuropsychiatric probl

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Minnis, Professor Helen and Kocovska, Mrs Eva and Pritchett, Miss Rachel and Puckering, Dr Christine
Authors: Kocovska, E., Puckering, C., Follan, M., Smillie, M., Gorski, C., Lidstone, E., Pritchett, R., Hockaday, H., and Minnis, H.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:Research in Developmental Disabilities
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0891-4222
ISSN (Online):1873-3379
Published Online:21 April 2012
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2012 Elsevier
First Published:First published in Research in Developmental Disabilities 33(5):1560-1565
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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