Foster Care Training

The DSM 5 (fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) was published in 2013 and is still in the process of being implemented. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the DSM 5 with attention to changes relevant for youth service, child welfare, and juvenile justice providers. The history of the DSM is reviewed and the origins of mental illness discussed. The organizational structure and an overview of changes in the DSM 5 are reviewed. Controversies surrounding the DSM 5 and the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in youth are discussed.

New sections of the DSM 5 discussed include the Neurodevelopmental Disorders (childhood diagnoses); Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders; Gender Dysphoria; and Neurocognitive Disorders. New diagnoses reviewed include Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Hoarding Disorder, and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder. Revised diagnoses covered include Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Substance Use Disorder. Implementation of the DSM 5 in improving mental health services for children and families are reviewed.