Clinical Psychology in Children - Neurodevelopmental Disorders

How do you recognize Intellectual Disability (ID)?

≥3 deficits: 1. Intellectual functions (reasoning, problem-solving); 2. Adaptive functioning (failure to meet independence/social responsibility standards); 3. Onset during the developmental period. Severity is defined by adaptive functioning, not IQ scores.

What are the main risk factors (etiologies) for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD)?

Prenatal: Genetic syndromes, brain malformations, maternal disease, environmental influences (alcohol). Perinatal:Labor/delivery events leading to neonatal encephalopathy. Postnatal: Traumatic brain injury, infections, severe social deprivation.

How do you recognize a Communication Disorder?

Deficits in language (form, function, use of symbols), speech (articulation, fluency, voice), and/or communication(verbal or nonverbal behavior that influences others)

How do you recognize Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

A. Persistent deficits in social communication/interaction across multiple contexts (e.g., deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal behaviors, relationships). AND B. ≥2 Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior (e.g., stereotyped movements, insistence on sameness, fixated interests, sensory hyper-/hyporeactivity). Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period

What are the main categories and an example of ASD treatments?

Behavioral (most evidence, e.g., Applied Behavior Analysis - ABA). Developmental (e.g., Speech/Language Therapy). Educational (e.g., TEACCH). Social-Relational (e.g., Floor time). Pharmacological (treats co-occurring symptoms, not core ASD symptoms).

How do you recognize ADHD and what is the primary treatment?

Recognition: A persistent pattern (≥6 symptoms, ≥5 in adults/adolescents) of Inattention (e.g., careless mistakes, losing things, easily distracted) and/or Hyperactivity/Impulsivity (e.g., fidgets, leaves seat, "driven by a motor," blurts out answers). Symptoms must be present prior to age 12 and in ≥2 settings. Primary Treatment: Stimulant medicines(e.g., methylphenidate, amphetamines) for school-aged children. Behavioral treatments are recommended for preschool-age