Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder)

Deficits in intellectual (reasoning, learning) and adaptive functioning (daily life skills).

Onset during developmental period (childhood).

Language Disorder

Difficulty acquiring and using language due to reduced vocabulary, poor grammar, and trouble forming or understanding sentences.

Early developmental period symptoms persistent.

Speech Sound Disorder

Ongoing difficulty producing speech sounds, making speech unclear.

Begins in early childhood.

Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder (Stuttering)

Speech disruptions (repetition, prolongation, pauses) causing anxiety or communication difficulty.

Starts in early childhood.

Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder

Difficulty using verbal and nonverbal communication for social purposes (e.g., turn-taking, understanding humor).

Early developmental onset.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Deficits in social communication and interaction + restricted/repetitive behaviors or interests.

Early developmental period.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity across settings.

Before age 12 symptoms for ≥6 months.

Specific Learning Disorder (SLD)

Persistent difficulties in reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia), or math (dyscalculia) despite interventions.

≥6 months despite help.

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)

Poor motor coordination and clumsiness affecting daily and academic activities.

Early childhood.

Stereotypic Movement Disorder (SMD)

Repetitive, purposeless movements (e.g., hand-flapping, rocking).

Before age 3-4.

Tourette's Syndrome

Multiple motor + at least one vocal tic lasting >1 year.

Onset before age 18.

Persistent (Chronic) Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder

Single type of tic (motor or vocal) lasting >1 year.

Onset before age 18.

Provisional Tic Disorder

Single/multiple tics (motor/vocal) lasting <1 year.

Onset before age 18.

Neurodevelopmental Disorder

• Begin early in childhood, often before school age
• Involve differences in brain development
• Affect learning, behavior, social, and daily functioning
• Range from mild learning problems to severe intellectual or social difficulties
• Require both symptoms and impaired functioning for diagnosis

Intellectual Functioning

Problems with reasoning, problem- solving, planning, abstract thinking, judgment, and academic learning.

• Difficulty understanding concepts
• Poor problem-solving skills
• Struggles with school tasks - Limited abstract or logical thinking

Adaptive Functioning

Deficits in daily life skills across conceptual, social, and practical areas.

Conceptual: Trouble with reading, writing, math, and money management
Social: Difficulty with communication, following social rules, or making friends
Practical: Needs help with personal care, organizing tasks, or managing work

Onset

Symptoms begin during the developmental period (childhood).

• Delayed milestones (speech, motor, self-care)
• Learning and functioning below age expectations

Dyslexia

Main difficulty: Reading and language processing

Key signs:

Trouble reading accurately and fluently

Difficulty spelling or recognizing words

Problems with understanding what's read

Dyscalculia

Main difficulty: Math and number-related skills

Key signs:

Trouble understanding numbers, counting, or basic math concepts

Difficulty remembering math facts (like 6 × 7 = 42)

Problems with time, money, or measuring

Dysgraphia

Main difficulty: Writing and fine motor skills

Key signs:

Messy or hard-to-read handwriting

Trouble spelling and organizing ideas on paper

Pain or fatigue when writing