The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

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. 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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