Developmental psychopathology is a study designed to enhance the understanding of psychological disorders related to a person’s development. It is focused on understanding the diversity in people’s development paths and their relationship to developing psychological difficulties such as depression, psychopathy, aggression, substance use, self-esteem, among other psychological issues (Cicchetti 34). The study is guided by several tenets. This include; the similarity or difference of individuals maladaptive paths during growth, the occurrence of differences in the psychological functioning between people over time, and the effects or consequences of peoples’ histories, experiences and coping adjustments to their mental health (Cicchetti 42). This paper will critique the article “Autism rates continue to climb, and experts don’t exactly know why” by “Karen Weintraub”. The paper will also analyze the theoretical, conceptual tenets, epidemiology and frameworks of developmental psychopathy as well as supporting the stand that Autism is not a developmental psychopathology.
According to Weintraub (2018), Autism is a developmental disorder among individuals and especially children that is characterized by communicative delays, social challenges and repetitive behaviors such as hand-flapping and obsessions. The article portrays a rising trend in the autism rates in school-going children. Since 2000, the autism rates have risen by 150% with a 15% increase between 2012 and 2014 (Weintraub, 2018). According to Weintraub (2018), this trend can be attributed to the increased rate of autism diagnosis’ among the Hispanic and African-American children which have bridged the gaps between many ethnicities. The article illustrates the biological and environmental complexities of autism that invalidate its position as a developmental psychopathology. Weintraub (2018) notes that genetic studies do not prove the cause of the rise citing the complexity of the disorder. Additionally, there is no proof for obvious environmental causes, noting a lack of a clear picture between the number of people with autism and the number of adults possessing it (Weintraub, 2018). This proves a disconnect between autism and developmental psychopathology.
The article further indicates the variations in autism rates across different states. New Jersey for instance has 3% of its children diagnosed of autism while Arkansas having as low as 1% (Weintraub, 2018). However, Weintraub (2018) attributes this to the variation of state resources devoted to the detection and treatment as well as increased population in urban areas which could be attributed to high autism rates and subsequently low diagnosis rates in rural and suburban areas. The article explains the need for increased screening and diagnostic tests to children and toddlers especially in the first three years of life. This will create further awareness and resources of autism services in order to improve a greater number of affected children’s health (Weintraub, 2018). The article also acknowledges the support offered to the research with stakeholders such as the Autism Science foundation noting that the reduced racial gap in the autism rates will improve the access of services to minority children. This will also help in bridging the cultural disparities (Weintraub, 2018).
Autism Spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that affects those diagnosed and their caregivers yet more so if not diagnosed during the person’s childhood. It affects the actions and interaction of a person with others with a range of characteristics such as restricted interests and repetitive behaviors (McMcDougle, 2016, p. 88). However, there are no specific causes for Autism. Scientists suggest that genes mutations and environmental factors play a critical role (McMcDougle, 2016, p. 94). Nevertheless, Weintraub (2018) discredits the environment as a cause for the evidenced rise in the autism rates.
There are various theoretical approaches in developmental psychopathology. The support of environmental influences, social and behavioral theories, for instance, are at the forefront of this field. These theories explain the disruption in the salient interpersonal developmental processes as one of the causes of psychological disorders. In this case, the theory highlights that the interaction between the family and peer groups can cause stressful interpersonal contexts that risk the development of specific developmental disorders to school-going children and youths. The theories also show how the different levels of interaction and development such as the; biological, emotional, cultural, cognitive, and contextual development factors increase the risk of psychological disorders.
Next are the Biological theories of Developmental psychopathology. These theories explain the effects of biological aspects such as genetic and biochemical factors and structural abnormalities towards developmental disorders (Dost, Akram and Sharifi, 2014, 61). For instance, the absence or presence of a specific gene can cause the certain disorder. Moreover, the theory claims that disorders that show early in development have severe effects and are highly hereditary (Dost, Akram, & Sharifi, 2014, p. 64). Additionally, the theory suggests that environmental stress can activate certain genes expressions related to a disorder. The attachment theory which is a psychological theory suggests that the attachment relationship between a child and the parents during their early development stages may predict later outcomes and can be the cause to developmental disorders.
Developmental psychopathology is based on the understanding of the human development path and their interaction with the environment. Development is multidetermined and hence its understanding should be based on interdisciplinary domains such as genetics and biology, social ecology and culture (Maddux and Winstead 132). Secondly, psychopathology is interested in the range of outcomes from an individual’s normal development to the start of a disorder. A third principle is the understanding of risks associated with the range of outcomes and the possible protective factors. Fourth, developmental psychopathology views maladaptive and adaptive behaviors as dynamic and flexible and can change over time (Maddux & Winstead, 2015, p. 140). Developmental psychopathology studies the causes and typical outcomes of the divergence of developmental pathways. Additionally, it makes the assumptions that developmental pathways can lead to either maladaptive or adaptive outcomes. The field also considers the dynamic interplay of physiological, genetic, social, cognitive, cultural and emotional factors that change over time (Dost, Akram, & Sharifi, p. 84).
The spread and causes of autism have been on the rise globally. This trend, however, cannot be linked to the developmental psychopathology. According to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s Director of Operation, Zoe Gross “Autism is not a bad thing, and autistic people of all ages, races, and genders have always been here” she adds that the research data only shows that the world is catching up to that fact (Weintraub, 2018). Weintraub’s article provides evidence that autism is a disorder that is prevalent but has not been fully exposed to this reality citing factors such lack of enough autism specialist especially in the rural areas (Weintraub, 2018). Analyzing the article and relating autism disorder to the above theoretical and conceptual factors, it would be right to say that autism is a disorder that has not yet been fully exploited in terms of research, therefore it does not fit to be a developmental psychopathology. There is a wide range of proposed causes but the ultimate cause is still questionable and unknown. However, frequent diagnosis and autistic services are advised for children in order to reduce the effects brought about by autism.