SOCW 6090 Psychopathology and Diagnosis for Social Work Practice Homework: Differential Diagnosis and Neurodevelopmental Disorders- Walden University
Clinicians often have to employ multiple skills simultaneously while engaging with clients. Not least among them are reflective listening, information gathering and sensitive questioning, recording key responses, observing for signs of syndromes, and identifying the chief complaints. This week you address the complex process for identifying and distinguishing among similar diagnostic syndromes.
This process begins in the diagnostic interview. Research of skilled clinicians shows that forming diagnostic impressions too quickly increases the risk of errors in diagnosis. Every clinician should be evaluating differential diagnoses at the diagnostic interview and beyond. While social workers want to resolve their own uncertainty, using the formal steps of a decision tree ensures accuracy. A decision tree is especially important when all available data is not pointing in the same direction.
Learning Objectives
1) Develop a DSM diagnosis utilizing a differential diagnostic process
2) Analyze a case study focused on a neurodevelopmental disorder utilizing steps of differential diagnosis
3) Assess progress with a colleague on a collaborative homework
Discussion: Applying Differential Diagnosis to Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Social work clinicians keep a wide focus on several potential syndromes, analyzing patterns of symptoms, risks, and environmental factors. Narrowing down from that wider focus happens naturally as they match the individual symptoms, behaviors, and risk factors against criteria A-E and other baseline information in the DSM-5.
Over time, as you continue your social work education, this process will become more automatic and integrated. In this Discussion, you practice differential diagnosis by examining a case that falls on the neurodevelopmental spectrum.
Post a 300 to 500 words response in which you address the following:
1) Provide a full DSM-5 diagnosis of the client. Remember, a full diagnosis should include the name of the disorder, ICD-10-CM code, specifiers, severity, and the Z codes (other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention). Keep in mind a diagnosis covers the most recent 12 months.
2) Explain the diagnosis by matching the symptoms identified in the case to the specific criteria for the diagnosis.
3) Identify which four diagnoses you initially considered in the case of the client, using the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria to explain why you selected these four items. In one or two sentences each, explain why three of these diagnoses were excluded.
4) Explain any obvious eliminations that could be made from within the neurodevelopmental spectrum.
5) Describe in detail how the client's symptoms match up with the specific diagnostic criteria for the primary disorder that you finally selected for him. Note two other relevant DSM-5 criteria for that illness from the sections on "diagnostic features" and "development and course" that fit this case.
Respond to at least two colleagues in the following ways:
1) Compare the diagnosis you provided and the process in which you reached the diagnosis with those of your colleague.
2) Explain how the Z codes (other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention) that your colleague identified may influence the client's upcoming treatment.
Homework: Case Collaboration Meeting
Collaboration is a key part of social work practice. Most MSW professionals engage in these processes during the postgraduate practice years that each state requires before their licensing moves from supervised to independent status. Even beyond those requirements, peer consultation and collaboration are key aspects of most social work practice settings.
For this Homework, Imagine that you are working with the client featured in the case study your Instructor assigned. Your task is to provide a diagnosis and present your findings in the Week 7 Discussion.
Your diagnosis can come from any part of the DSM-5, so frequent communication and research with your colleague may be needed.
The collaboration that begins in this Homework is intended to provide a safe venue for developing your differential diagnosis and case discussion skills with your colleague. This week you meet with your assigned partner at least once via Collaborate Ultra and begin considering the assigned case. In this Homework, you describe that meeting and any initial analysis of the case.
To prepare:
1) Using the case study provided to you by your instructor.
2) Consult the Case Collaboration Meeting Guidelines document found in the Learning Resources.
3) Read ahead to the Discussion instructions so that you can plan and reflect accordingly.
Submit a 1 to 2 pages paper in which you describe your team meeting. In your write-up, make sure to address the following:
1) Describe the quality of your working relationship with your colleague.
• Critically reflect on strengths of collaborative relationship and areas for improvement.
2) Describe your case in 100-150 words.
3) Identify the red flags in your case study to be further evaluated.
4) Outline your and your partner's plan for further research and consultation, identifying specific tasks that you are each doing in this regard.
• Identify days/times you have agreed to meet together, including the date planned to complete the CFI interview required for the Homework.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
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