ABSTRACT
In children with neurodevelopmental disorders, it can be assumed that there has been early interference to the developing nervous system, which can take place during prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal development. There are two primary approaches to classification of neurodevelopmental disorders—one emphasizing behavior, and the other emphasizing neurology. This chapter describes the following four behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorders: intellectual developmental disorder, specific learning disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. Neuropsychologists search for neurological correlates of behaviorally defined conditions (ADHD, dyslexia, autism). At the same time, they search for behavioral phenotypes of genetic or neurologically defined disorders (e.g, Williams syndrome, Neurofibromatosis Type 1, Down syndrome). The primary role for the neuropsychologist when working with children with genetic and/or neurodevelopmental disorders is to help better understand the current fit between the child's unique biology and the ever-changing demands (and supports) in the environment.
