Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

What is the most likely diagnosis for a child exhibiting symptoms of barking, tics, and vocalizations for over a year?

1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

2. Social Anxiety Disorder

3. Tourette's disorder

4. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The correct answer is: Tourette's disorder

The symptoms described—barking, tics, and vocalizations—are indicative of Tourette's disorder. This neurological condition is characterized by the presence of multiple motor tics and one or more vocal tics over a period of more than one year. The specific behaviors mentioned, such as barking and other vocalizations, align well with the types of involuntary sounds associated with Tourette's. Furthermore, the onset of Tourette's typically occurs in childhood, making it a fitting diagnosis for a child exhibiting these symptoms. Tourette's disorder is distinguished by its chronic nature and the involuntary aspect of the tics, which can fluctuate in severity and may be preceded by an urge to perform the tic, known as a premonitory urge. The persistence of symptoms over a year also supports this diagnosis, as Tourette's requires that tics occur many times a day, nearly every day, for a duration longer than one year. This understanding of Tourette's provides a clear rationale for its selection as the appropriate diagnosis, based on the specific symptom profile presented in the question.