Conduct disorder and antisocial behaviour — formative SAQs

SAQ 1 (10 marks)

A nine-year-old boy is referred after his second school suspension for fighting. His mother describes cruelty to the family cat, stealing from her purse, and staying out until after midnight twice in the last month. She is frightened of him. There is a history of harsh, inconsistent discipline, paternal alcohol misuse, and an ADHD diagnosis made at age seven that is currently untreated. ^{[4] [2]}

a) State the DSM-5-TR definition of conduct disorder and the four symptom clusters, and identify which clusters this child shows. (3 marks) ^[4]

b) Using the Moffitt developmental taxonomy and the DSM-5-TR onset subtype, classify this child's likely trajectory and explain the prognostic implication. (2 marks) ^[1]

c) Name the features you would actively assess to apply the "with limited prosocial emotions" (callous-unemotional) specifier, and explain why it changes the plan. (2 marks) ^[4]

d) Outline the immediate safety-first assessment and the stepped-care management plan, citing the evidence base. (3 marks) ^{[5] [9]}