Neurodevelopmental Disorder

Neurodevelopment is a complicated word, but if we break it into two words, the meaning becomes simple. The word "neuro" relates to the brain, and "development" concerns growth. Neurodevelopmental disorders include those mental disorders that manifest from childhood to adolescence.

What are the skills that children acquire? Those who care for children eagerly anticipate their first steps and first words. As they grow, we expect them to develop communication skills, improve their attention, control their impulses, and when they are a bit older, we expect them to learn to read, write, and do calculations.

It's probably stating the obvious to mention that growth doesn't always happen linearly. There can be delays, and thus, a skill we expected to appear at a certain age might emerge later or develop slowly.

These delays have an impact on the child's or adolescent's life and also on those who take care of them. However, intervention is possible. It's essential to diagnose a neurodevelopmental disorder quickly because it allows for the prompt initiation of treatments during a period when the brain can easily adapt (known as brain plasticity).

In the upcoming posts, we will delve into the details of neurodevelopmental disorders, which are categorized in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) as follows: 1 - Intellectual Disabilities 2 - Communication Disorders 3 - Autism Spectrum Disorder 4 - Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 5 - Specific Learning Disorders 6 - Motor Disorders.

Sources:
- American Psychiatric Association (2013) - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).
- Bernhill, J. W. (2014) - DSM-5 Clinical Cases.

If you'd like me to explain a topic in psychology in my own words, please feel free to ask.