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Chapter 8 - Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children and Young People

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 October 2025

By
Catherine J. Gregory ,
Hannah Slevin  and
Shruti Garg
Edited by
Shermin Imran
Shermin Imran
Affiliation:
Greater Manchester NHS Foundation Trust
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Summary

This chapter provides an overview of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in children and young people. The definition and classification of NDDs is discussed, including key differences between ICD-10 and ICD-11 and the problematic use of language in diagnostic classifications, which is at odds with the social model of disability. Important stages of a multidisciplinary assessment of NDDs include a detailed developmental history, a psychosocial history, observation of the child, an assessment of the child’s communication and learning and supplementary rating scales. The role of professionals such as Community Paediatricians, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, teachers and Educational Psychologists is highlighted. Features of the main NDDs are outlined, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Specific Disorders of Development and Language and Tic disorders. Finally, an overview of treatment approaches and their evidence base is explored.

Keywords

neurodevelopmentalautismADHDICD-11dyspraxiaticsassessmenttreatmentmanagementpsychiatry

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Type
Chapter
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Seminars in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , pp. 113 - 129
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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