Process Assignment 2: Abstract Article Jacob Griffin

Citation

Reilly, C., Senior, J., & Murtagh, L. (2015). ASD, ADHD, mental health conditions and

psychopharmacology in neurogenetic syndromes: Parent survey. Journal of Intellectual

Disability Research, 59(4), 307-318. doi:10.1111/jir.12147

Hypotheses

The goal of this study was to reveal the mental health challenges plaguing those with

learning disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity

disorder and order psychiatric conditions and how they are perceived by parents. This

survey research was part of the larger EPGEN (Education and Psychological aspects of

Generic Syndromes) parent and teacher survey. This survey focuses on the specific

educational and emotional needs of those with neurogenic syndromes in the UK and

Republic of Ireland surveyed in 2011. It correlated psychiatric medication usage with

symptoms. The research concluded that the usage of drugs to treat anxiety and depression

was low across all syndrome groups despite the fact that these symptoms are often co-

occurring which was represented as “fragile X syndrome,” being more likely to take

additional medication, having a professional diagnosis previously. The study also noted

differences among medication type and diagnosis among syndromes and gender. The

surveys overall look at independent associations and perceptions of ability, control for,

perception of, and treatment for disability research reflects a trend in nationwide lack of
 medication use and can provide insight on recommendations for improving prescribing

practices.

Participants

The participants of this survey portion included parents of school aged-children (4years

to 19 years old) with one of four neurogenetic syndromes. Participants were recruited by support

group member databases. Eligible participants were sent a research pack and six weeks thereafter

received a follow-up reminder letter. The number of participants and responses along with child

gender and age are represented by the data in Table 2.

Procedures

Each participant was mailed an envelope with questionnaires inside to complete at their

earliest convenience, then were asked to return the envelope containing the executed surveys to

the researcher via the postage paid return envelope provided. The survey questions were

composed of 53-items devised into six sections. They were designed to find correlation between

responses based on demographics, medication, condition, education, educational

adjustment/adaptations and family support needs. There was no assumed bias amongst the

researchers when devising the survey; the participants were inclined to identify these norms

themselves. Parents were also asked to indicate whether their child was diagnosed by a

professional and in what clinical sense.

Concepts

The study compared data from several published research studies. In the current study the

numbers reported for professional diagnosis are very low amongst those asked to identify with

one or more of the conditions. The study may be considered a convenience sample because the

data was drawn from support group member families, and was not inclusive of a larger, more

generalized population.

Results

The study indicated that further assessment and diagnosis of neurogenic conditions might

be helpful to children when they are garnered access to such treatment options. It is also possible

that attempts to remedy the neurogenic symptoms were simply ineffective or not properly

implemented. The low level of diagnosis indicated by the data aligns well with the reported low

level of medication use, this may also reflect the disbelief by some in psychopharmacology.

There is an ongoing need for studies to provide insight on approaches to reduce psychopathy on

children effected by these conditions. The study indicated that research in this area will,

“…enhance an understanding of the manifestation of psychopathology in neurogenic

syndromes”… “lead(ing) to more efficacious treatments.”

Criticism

One critique I have for the study is that the data is comprised of a convenience sample, an

audience consisting of support group family members. Also, the data could possibly be skewed

based on professionals misdiagnosing or wrongly ruling out the presences of the conditions. In

addition to the reservations about diagnoses is the theory of diagnostic overshadowing. The
survey concluded that among those reviewed for psychiatric conditions, a low amount took

medication, but the language didn’t indicate(with certainty), whether they had a history of trying

one or more medications. Finally, the very low response rate is of serious concern. Why would

few parties, those with whom have a vested interest in the cause, neglect completing the survey?

Was this as result of the delivery utility or lack of belief in the survey based on the context?