発達障害―医療を中心に

Medical View of Developmental Disorders

はじめに

　最近，社会的に話題になっていることに，“いじめ”，“からかい”，“不登校”，“ひきこもり”，“虐待”，“自傷”，“了解できない犯罪”などがある．これらの出来事は社会的支援が不十分なところで起きたと考えられる．子どもを中心に，「これらの出来事の背後に何があるのか？」を考えてみる．

Abstract : Developmental disorders are defined in the Japanese Support Act for Developmental Disorders by ICD-10 (WHO). Representative disorders are Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disorders. The incidence of these disorders has increased from 30％ (1993) to 55％ (2009) in child & adolescent psychiatric hospitals. These disorders are estimated to originate in brain dysfunction but details are as yet obscure. We attempt to identify these disorders as early as possible, but many parents are reluctant for their children to be diagnosed during their early childhood years. So we must take care to inform parents about these disorders. Developmental disorders are much more popular than other disorders, such as visual disorders, auditory disorders and physical disorders. These disorders are borderless, indistinguishable, and changeable and they are regulated by hereditary background. They also concern many social problems, such as school refusal, social withdraw, bullying and child abuse. Developmental disorders are also correlative to public health, education, welfare, working and crime. About 60 Support Centers for Developmental Disorders have been founded. Special education support is also provided for children with developmental disorders. In employment bureaus, special working courses are set up for them. Regarding the justice system, legal staff must take considerations to ensure fair trials for individuals with developmental disorders. Finally, medical staff must cooperate with other occupational members and endeavor to provide even greater support for these individuals.