ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a much broader view of developmental deviations than that reflected in standard nomenclature. The common denominator of such developmental deviations is that they appear early in life, are intrinsic, that is, innate or due to very early environmental influences, and are presumably biological in nature, that is generated by genetic, intrauterine or early environmental adverse conditions. Some developmental idiosyncrasies, such as excessive sensitivity, are apparent from the earliest stages of life; others, like poor gross motor development, become apparent only with the emergence of a particular function. The chapter discusses the neuropsychological impairments that result in maladaptive behaviour patterns. Many developmental idiosyncrasies, such as hypersensitivity to stimuli, tend to persist even into adulthood. The chapter concludes that there is a wide range of developmental idiosyncrasies, some merely exaggerations of temperamental traits, others delays or impairments of a function, some transient, others persistent.
