The ASA's 38th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders (July 11-14, 2007) of ASA

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, AZ

http://www.autism-society.org/

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Friday, July 13, 2007: 3:00 PM-4:15 PM
Greenway A & B
#2565- From Asperger Disorder to Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
Nowadays some children and adolescents with frequent episodes of irritability, aggressive and destructive behaviors, poor peer relationship, and unusual interests tend to be diagnosed as having a Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (PBD) by clinicians specialized in Mood Disorder. However, many of these children may be considered as having an Asperger Disorder (AD) by clinicians from the field of Pervasive Developmental Disorder. The diagnosis of PBDD, however, does not account fully for the symptoms presented in these children and adolescents. If these mood symptoms are considered as the major part of bipolar disorder, most mood stabilizers have not shown any significant therapeutic effect in these children and adolescents. Hence, the mood disorder in these patients may be an “atypical mood disorders.” On the other hand, these mood symptoms may be clinical features of Asperger Disorder. It is clear that much more research is needed to help clarify, diagnose and treat this unique population. This presentation will present both research and empirical data to help clarify the confusion and will offer suggestions to improve future DSM V diagnostic scheme for both Pediatric Bipolar Disorder and Asperger Disorder.

Presenter:Luke Y. Tsai, M.D., and, Professor, University of Michigan Health System, Director of Developmental Disorders Clinic - Luke Tsai, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School; Founder and Director of Developmental Disorders, University of Michigan Medical Center; Consultant Editor of Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders; Editorial Board member of Focus on Autistic Behavior; Advisory Board member of ADVOCATE of Autism Society of America; former Co-Chair and current member of Panel of Professional Advisors of Autism Society of American. Dr. Tsai is is widely published and his publications include more than 80 articles and 35 books or chapters. Dr. Tsai is the author of Taking the Mystery out of Medication in Autism/Asperger Syndromes.
 
Many children and adolescents with Asperger disorder(AD) tend to have frequent episodes of irritability, aggressive and destructive behaviors, poor peer relationship, and unusual interests. They often are diagnosed as having a Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (PBD) by clinicians specialized in Mood Disorder or who are not familiar with Asperger disorder. The diagnosis of PBD, however, does not account fully for the symptoms presented in these children and adolescents. Nonetheless, these children and adolescent usually have been treated with many different kinds of psychotropic medications for many years. If these mood symptoms are considered as the major part of a bipolar disorder, most mood stabilizers have not shown any significant therapeutic effect in these children and adolescents. Hence, the mood disorder in these patients may be an “atypical mood disorders” which has yet been officially defined by the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-IV system. On the other hand, these mood symptoms may should be considered as clinical features of Asperger Disorder. It is clear that much more research is needed to help clarify, diagnose and treat this unique population. So that more effective treatemts can be developed. This presentation will present both research and empirical data to help clarify the confusion of the concept of the two diagnoses. It will also offer suggestions to improve future DSM-V diagnostic scheme for both Pediatric Bipolar Disorder and Asperger Disorder so that future clinicians can provide effective treatments and interventions to this particular population.

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