Introduction

The subject of this book, the first in the series “Current Issues in Developmental Psychology”, is neurodevelopmental disorders. Two types of condition fall under its remit: (1) syndromic conditions of known genetic aetiology, such as Fragile X Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome and Velocardiofacial Syndrome; and (2) non-syndromic conditions whose aetiology is likely to be multifactorial and therefore complex, including Dyslexia, Specific Language Impairment, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Crucially, the book is not divided into individual chapters devoted to each of these disorders (as is the case, for instance, for those under (2) in the book by Hulme & Snowling, 2009). Rather, each of the first six chapters considers a current issue or “hot topic”, which authors have been encouraged to address from the broader perspective of more than just one disorder. The book concludes with two reflective chapters, whose authors again consider their subject across several disorders. The aim therefore is to give a review of key areas in the field that are common across disorders. A glossary is included for readers who might not be familiar with all the disorders that are discussed.