what are
neurodevelopmental disorders
Neurodevelopmental disorders are behavioural and cognitive conditions that emerge during the developmental period, leading to significant challenges in acquiring and performing specific mental, psychological, emotional, motor, or social-cognitive functions. The causes of neurodevelopmental disorders are complex and often remain unknown in many individual cases.
Neurodiversity, is used to describe the various ways the brain functions in terms of cognition, perception, emotion, learning, communication, and response to stimuli.
They often encounter difficulties in learning, socialization, communication, interaction, and behaviour.
These challenges can significantly impact their performance in school and their ability to form and maintain social relationships.
A very important aspect of neurodiversity is its impact on social life. Misunderstandings often arise between neurodiverse and typically developing children due to differences in communication styles and behaviours. Neurodiverse children frequently face challenges such as communication difficulties, low academic performance, marginalization by peers, and bullying.
These social challenges are exacerbated when educators at all levels lack adequate training and sensitivity toward inclusive education and integration. As a result, there is often a lack of necessary awareness and acceptance among all students during their school years.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
affecting children in typical classes:
Neurodevelopment is a term that refers to the development of the brain’s neurological pathways that affect the performance or functioning of specific systems (e.g., intellectual function, reading and/or writing ability, memory, attention, concentration, processing speed, social skills). It involves the Central Executive System (CES) and more. The CES can be defined as the set of cognitive skills required to control and regulate how we learn, think, and behave.
In simple terms, executive functions are those that allow us to organize, plan, create, maintain, monitor, and achieve a plan of action within a specific timeframe, with a goal. This set of functions is significant because we use it daily, simultaneously managing our emotions and behaviour.
Like an air traffic control system at an airport that monitors, decides, and helps planes land and take off on different runways safely, executive function skills help our brain prioritize tasks, organize them within specific time limits, and control our concentration and attention by filtering distractions and inhibiting impulses.
No one is the same as another (research on identical twins has proven this). There is no “correct” way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not considered deficits.
It is important to note that the characteristics of all neurobiological and neurodevelopmental syndromes described above evolve as the child grows. However, these characteristics persist, and initial diagnosis remains throughout their life-span. These symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe.
It is essential to make an interdisciplinary diagnosis as early as possible, so that early intervention can begin immediately. Evaluation by a Developmental Pediatrician, or a highly informed Pediatrician at a young age (from infancy in some cases), is crucial for the proper management of symptoms and the psycho-emotional support of the child.
The categorization of neurodevelopmental disorders is always based on internationally recognized diagnostic tools to ensure a common language of communication among specialists.
According to global classification, the diagnostic tools include:
• the International Classification of Diseases Manual (ICD-10) by the World Health Organization,
• and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V) by the American Psychiatric Association.