DSM- Neurodevelopmental Disorders

What is the high-yield picture of Intellectual Disability?

Deficits in intellectual functioning AND adaptive functioning in conceptual, social, and practical areas; developmental onset.

Timeline/onset: Developmental period

Spectrum/severity: Yes: mild/moderate/severe/profound based on adaptive functioning

Important note: IQ alone does not determine severity.

What timeframe, age, or number is most important for Intellectual Disability?

Developmental period

How do you differentiate Intellectual Disability on an exam vignette Vs. specific learning disorder:?

ID is broad intellectual/adaptive impairment;

SLD is a specific academic deficit.

What is the high-yield picture of Language Disorder?

Persistent difficulty acquiring/using language: vocabulary, sentence structure, or discourse.

Timeline/onset: Early developmental period

Spectrum/severity: No

Important note: Communication disorder; early developmental onset.

What timeframe, age, or number is most important for Language Disorder?

Early developmental period

How do you differentiate Language Disorder on an exam vignette Vs. speech sound disorder:?

Language content/form is impaired, not just pronunciation.

What is the high-yield picture of Speech Sound Disorder?

Speech-sound production difficulty reduces intelligibility or prevents verbal communication.

Timeline/onset: Early developmental period

Spectrum/severity: No

Important note: Not explained by structural/neurological condition.

What timeframe, age, or number is most important for Speech Sound Disorder?

Early developmental period

How do you differentiate Speech Sound Disorder on an exam vignette Vs. language disorder:?

Pronunciation/intelligibility rather than vocabulary/grammar.

What is the high-yield picture of Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder?

Age-inappropriate disruption in speech fluency and timing, such as repetitions, prolongations, or blocks.

Timeline/onset: Early developmental period

Spectrum/severity: No

Important note: Commonly called stuttering.

What timeframe, age, or number is most important for Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder?

Early developmental period

How do you differentiate Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder on an exam vignette Vs. speech sound disorder:?

Flow/timing of speech rather than production of particular sounds.

What is the high-yield picture of Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder?

Difficulty using verbal/nonverbal communication socially; trouble adapting language, conversation rules, inference, or implied meaning.

Timeline/onset: Early developmental period

Spectrum/severity: No

Important note: Cannot diagnose with autism.

What timeframe, age, or number is most important for Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder?

Early developmental period

How do you differentiate Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder on an exam vignette VS Autism?

Key distinction from autism: NO restricted/repetitive behaviors.

What is the high-yield picture of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Requires BOTH social communication/interaction deficits AND restricted/repetitive behavior, interests, routines, or sensory features.

Timeline/onset: Early developmental period; lifelong course

Spectrum/severity: Yes: Levels 1-3 support needs

Important note: Specify intellectual/language impairment and associated conditions.

What timeframe, age, or number is most important for Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Early developmental period; lifelong course

How do you differentiate Autism Spectrum Disorder on an exam vignette Vs. social communication disorder?

Autism includes restricted/repetitive behavior

Social: Difficulty using verbal/nonverbal communication

What is the high-yield picture of ADHD?

Persistent inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is developmentally inappropriate, impairing, and present across settings.

Timeline/onset: 6+ months; several symptoms before age 12

Spectrum/severity: Yes: mild/moderate/severe

Important note: Presentations: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, combined.

What timeframe, age, or number is most important for ADHD?

6+ months; several symptoms before age 12

How do you differentiate ADHD on an exam vignette Vs. anxiety:?

ADHD is chronic/cross-situational; anxiety-related inattention occurs with worry. Hyperfocus does not rule out ADHD.

What is the high-yield picture of Specific Learning Disorder?

Persistent difficulty learning/using reading, writing, or math skills despite targeted help; skills below age expectations.

Timeline/onset: 6+ months; school-age onset

Spectrum/severity: Yes: mild/moderate/severe

Important note: Specify reading, written expression, or mathematics.

What timeframe, age, or number is most important for Specific Learning Disorder?

6+ months; school-age onset

How do you differentiate Specific Learning Disorder on an exam vignette Vs. intellectual disability?

SLD is specific, with otherwise expected intellectual/adaptive functioning.

What is the high-yield picture of Motor Disorders?

Developmental coordination deficits, repetitive purposeless movements, or motor/vocal tics.

Timeline/onset: Developmental onset; tic onset before age 18

Spectrum/severity: Varies

Important note: Tourette: multiple motor + at least one vocal tic; persistent tic: motor OR vocal.

What timeframe, age, or number is most important for Motor Disorders?

Developmental onset; tic onset before age 18

How do you differentiate Tic Disorders from Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)

• Tic Disorders: Sudden, involuntary, repetitive movements or vocalizations that may increase and decrease over time (wax and wane).

• DCD: Persistent clumsiness and poor motor coordination that interfere with daily activities and are below age expectations.