ABSTRACT

Interest in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders has grown exponentially in recent years across a range of disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, education and neuroscience. The research itself has become more sophisticated, using multidisciplinary methods to probe interdisciplinary questions. Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Research Challenges and Solutions provides a thorough overview of the key issues involved in researching neurodevelopmental disorders.

The volume includes 14 chapters, arranged over three sections. Chapters in the first section address general research challenges for the study of neurodevelopmental disorders. The second section draws upon specific disorders (such as Williams syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, ADHD, and Language Disorders) to consider the syndrome-specific issues or challenges that may be crucial to advancing our understanding of aspects of cognition and behavior associated with them. The final section considers how research evidence may be translated into practice to begin making an impact upon the lives of individuals who have neurodevelopmental disorders and their families. Each chapter in the book also includes ‘practical tips’ for either conducting research with individuals who have neurodevelopmental disorders or considering wider practical issues.

The book will be indispensable reading for advanced students, researchers, and practitioners in the fields of developmental psychology, developmental psychopathology, special needs education, neuropsychology, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

part I|113 pages

General research challenges

chapter 1|17 pages

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Definitions and issues

chapter 5|23 pages

Causal Modelling of Developmental Disorders

Insights from animal and computational models of Specific Language Impairment

chapter 6|21 pages

ACORNS

A tool for visual modelling of causes and outcomes in neurodevelopmental disorders

part II|127 pages

Neurodevelopmental disorders and their challenges for researchers

chapter 7|25 pages

Variability in Neuro-Developmental Disorders

Evidence from Autism Spectrum Disorders

chapter 8|21 pages

Different Profiles of Development

Evidence from children with primary language impairment

chapter 9|16 pages

Comorbidity in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Evidence from ADHD

chapter 10|21 pages

Genetic Disorders as Models of High Neurocognitive Risk

Evidence from Fragile X syndrome

chapter 11|20 pages

Experimental Difficulties in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Evidence from Down syndrome

chapter 12|22 pages

Eye-Tracking and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Evidence from cross-syndrome comparisons

part III|47 pages

Applied issues in neurodevelopmental disorders

chapter 13|26 pages

Uses of New Technologies by Young People with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Motivations, processes and cognition

chapter 14|20 pages

Anxiety in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Phenomenology, assessment and intervention