NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

Neurodevelopmental disorders comprise a broad spectrum of conditions that affect a child’s brain and nervous system and are similar in that they present in early development. Although symptom presentation may certainly change and even remit to varying degrees over the lifespan, all neurodevelopmental disorders are characterized by developmental deficits that impact functioning in personal, social, academic, and occupational arenas. By some estimates, neurodevelopmental disorders affect approximately 15% of individuals aged 3 to 17 years in the United States (Boyle et al., 2011); therefore, it is important for rehabilitation psychologists to understand core symptoms and co-occurring difficulties associated with neurodevelopmental disabilities.