Assignment 1: Early Onset Schizophrenia
Children and adolescents with schizophrenia have more difficulty functioning in
academic or work settings, and significant impairment usually persists into adulthood.
They may have speech or language disorders and in some cases borderline intellectual
functioning. These individuals are more likely to complete suicide attempts or die from
other accidental causes. Schizophrenia is characterized by positive and negative
symptoms. Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and behavior
disturbance. Negative symptoms include blunted affect and attention, apathy, and lack
of motivation and social interest.
In this Assignment, you compare treatment plans for adults diagnosed with
schizophrenia with treatment plans for children and adolescents diagnosed with
schizophrenia. You also consider the legal and ethical issues involved in medicating
children diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
 Compare evidence-based treatment plans for adults versus children and adolescents
diagnosed with schizophrenia
 Analyze legal and ethical issues surrounding the forceful administration of medication to
children diagnosed with schizophrenia
 Analyze the role of the PMHNP in addressing issues related to the forceful
administration of medication to children diagnosed with schizophrenia
The Assignment (2 pages):
 Compare at least two evidence-based treatment plans for adults diagnosed with
schizophrenia with evidence-based treatment plans for children and adolescents
diagnosed with schizophrenia.
 Explain the legal and ethical issues involved with forcing children diagnosed with
schizophrenia to take medication for the disorder and how a PMHNP may address
those issues.