Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Childhood

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

A group of disorders in which the development of the central nervous system is disturbed, leading to neuropsychiatric problems or impaired motor function, learning, language, or non-verbal communication.

Global Developmental Delay

A condition occurring between birth and 18 years, characterized by lower intellectual functioning than 'normal.'

Intellectual Disabilities

Characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, originating before age 18.

Communication Disorders

Any disorder affecting language comprehension, detection, or application, hindering effective discourse with others.

Language Disorder

Difficulties in language acquisition and use due to deficits in comprehension or production of vocabulary, sentence structure, and discourse.

Speech Sound Disorder

Also known as Phonological Disorder, characterized by difficulties in speech sound production.

Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder

A disorder involving stuttering that typically manifests in childhood.

Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder

A disorder affecting social communication skills, such as understanding and using verbal and nonverbal cues.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

A pervasive developmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

A disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that often manifests early in development.

Specific Learning Disorder

A disorder involving difficulties in learning and using academic skills, such as reading or math.

Developmental Coordination Disorder

A motor skills disorder characterized by difficulties in coordination and motor skills.

Stereotypic Movement Disorder

A disorder involving repetitive, nonfunctional motor movements.

Tic Disorders

Disorders characterized by sudden, repetitive, nonrhythmic movements or sounds.

Tourette's Disorder

A tic disorder involving multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic.

Provisional Tic Disorder

A tic disorder with single or multiple motor and/or vocal tics lasting less than one year.

Intellectual Giftedness

Giftedness categorized by IQ levels, ranging from moderately gifted to profoundly gifted.

Externalizing Disorder

Disorders characterized by outward-directed behaviors like aggressiveness, overactivity, and impulsiveness.

Internalizing Disorder

Disorders characterized by inward-focused behaviors like depression, social withdrawal, and anxiety.

Fragile X Syndrome

An inherited syndrome causing intellectual disability, social and behavioral challenges, and physical features like a simian crease.

Trisomy 21/Down Syndrome/Mongolism

A genetic disorder characterized by an extra 21st chromosome, leading to intellectual disability and physical characteristics like a simian crease.

Signs of Intellectual Disability

Indicators include delayed milestones, speech difficulties, memory problems, social rule comprehension issues, and problem-solving challenges.

Levels of Intellectual Disability

Classified into mild, moderate, severe, and profound based on IQ levels and adaptive functioning.

Global Developmental Delay (GDD)

A condition in children with lower intellectual functioning than expected, occurring between birth and 18 years.

Speech Sound Disorder (Phonological Disorder) (SSD)

Diagnosed when speech sound production is not what would be expected based on child's age and developmental stage, causing limitations in effective communication

Types of Speech Sound Errors

Include Omission (leaving out sounds), Substitution (using incorrect sounds), and Distortions (trying to make the right sound but cannot produce it clearly)

Symptoms of SSD

Repeating sounds, adding extra sounds/words, elongating words, making jerky movements while talking, blinking several times, visible frustration, taking frequent pauses, distorting sounds, and hoarseness

Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder/Stuttering

Disturbance of normal speech fluency inappropriate for age, causing anxiety about speaking or limitations in communication, with symptoms onset in early developmental period

Symptoms of Stuttering

Include monosyllabic whole-word repetitions, part-word repetitions, prolongations of sounds, audible/silent blocking, and words produced with physical tension or struggle

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Onset in early childhood, symptoms limiting functioning, deficits in social communication, social interactions, and restricted, repetitive behavior patterns

Autistic Savant/Savant Syndrome

Individuals with low IQ but exceptional skills in specific areas like rapid calculation, art, memory, or musical ability

Prodigy

A child under ten performing at an adult professional level in a demanding field of endeavor

Severity Levels for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Level 1: Requiring Support - deficits in social communication noticeable, difficulty initiating social interactions, and rituals causing interference; Level 2: Requiring Substantial Support - marked deficits in social communication, limited initiation of interactions, and obvious repetitive behaviors

Forms of Autism (DSM IV)

Include Asperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrated Disorder, and Rett's Disorder

Distress or frustration

Apparent when RRB's are interrupted; difficult to redirect from fixated interest

Level 3

Requiring Very Substantial Support: Severe deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills cause severe impairments in functioning

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Six or more manifestations of inattention present for at least 6 months to a maladaptive degree

ADHD Criteria

Present before age 12 in two or more settings (home, school, or work); Male > Female 2:1

ADHD Key Features

Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and distractibility

Externalizing Disorders

Include Predominantly Inattentive Type, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, and Combined Type

Etiology of ADHD

Includes Genetics Factors, Neurobiological Factors, and Perinatal and prenatal Factors

Learning Disorder Types

Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dysorthographia, Dysfluency

Motor Disorders

Disorders of the nervous system causing abnormal involuntary movements

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)

Affects five to six percent of all school-aged children

DCD Symptoms

Difficulty coordinating movements, impacting everyday tasks

Tic Disorder Onset

Between ages 2 to 21, persisting throughout life

Simple Motor Tics

Include eye blinking, head jerking, shoulder shrugging

Complex Motor Tics

Include jumping, touching others, twirling about, and self-injurious actions

Causes of Tourette's Disorder

Unknown, more common in boys, tics usually start in childhood

Persistent Tic Disorder

Involves uncontrollable movements or vocal outbursts, more common than Tourette syndrome

Causes of Provisional Tic Disorder

Physical or mental factors, possibly linked to neurotransmitters