The Blueberry Syndrome

Too-inclusive and too-rigid classifications of childhood emotional disorders have led diagnosticians to overlook conditions which do not fit under accepted labels. Recently this author has encountered a hitherto unnamed disorder which he calls the Blueberry syndrome, and which shares some features with autism, childhood psychosis and mental retardation, but also differs significantly from all of these. Its principal manifestations are lack of speech, low frustration tolerance, and aggressive response to invasion of personal space. Onset follows a normal pre- and perinatal period, with no evidence of brain damage or emotional disorder. There is mental retardation secondary to language deficits, but no social withdrawal, overwhelming anxiety, or obsessive need for sameness. The children come from the lower socioeconomic strata and from either intact or broken families. Etiology is unknown but may involve genetic mutations affecting development of the cerebral speech area. Treatment focuses on improving present satisfactions and functioning

Anxiety · Autism · Autism spectrum disorder · Developmental psychology · Emotional disorder · Etiology · Psychiatry · Psychosis · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Cardiac Arrhythmias and Treatments · Clinical Psychology · Congenital heart defects research · Psychology

• A Generous Spirit

  Gerald P Mallon•Anthrozoös•1994

  Add to list

• On changes in psychiatric diagnosis over time

  Jeffrey D Blum•American Psychologist•1978

  Add to list

• The classification of child psychopathology

  Thomas M Achenbach, Craig Edelbrock et al.•Psychological Bulletin•1978

  Add to list

• Childhood psychosis

  Earl A Loomis, Lois M Hilgeman et al.•American Journal of Orthopsychiatry•1957

  Add to list