Developmental Disorders

Over the last four decades, breakthroughs in genetic knowledge, together with the emergence of disciplines devoted to the scientific study of developmental disorders have resulted in much greater awareness of the many different behavioural and genetic phenotypes involved. It is now evident that not only do different disorders have different causes and different manifestations, but different neurological and biochemical bases, different responses to intervention, and different life courses. Reflecting the enormous changes that have taken place in our knowledge and understanding of developmental disorders, this groundbreaking international volume brings this vast and complex field together for the first time. The Editors have collected together the world′s leading academic scholars and clinicians, to explore how current research across a range of different disciplines can inform clinical practice and help to improve the lives of individuals and their families.

A long-awaited book from developmental disorders expert John Morton, Understanding Developmental Disorders: A Causal Modelling Approach makes sense of the many competing theories about what can go wrong with early brain development, causing a child to develop outside the normal range. Based on the idea that understanding developmental disorders requires us to talk about biological, cognitive, behavioral and environmental factors, and to talk about causal relationships among these elements. Explains what causal modelling is and how to do it. Compares different theories about particular developmental disorders using causal modelling. Will have a profound impact on research in the fields of psychology, neuroscience and medicine.

Cognitive development in children is a highly complex process which, while remarkably resilient, can be disrupted in a variety of ways. This volume focuses on two types of neurodevelopmental disorder: syndromic conditions such as fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, Williams syndrome and velocardiofacial syndrome; and non-syndromic conditions including dyslexia, specific language impairment, autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This book provides a state-of-the-art review of current research and covers key topics across the full range of developmental disorders. Topics covered include: diagnosis and comorbidity genetics longitudinal studies computational models distinguishing disorder from disadvantage language and culture the modern beginnings of research into developmental disorders The book also looks at how the study of developmental disorders has contributed to our understanding of typical development, and themes emerge that are common across chapters, including intervention and education, and the neurobiological bases of developmental disorders. The result is a fascinating and thought-provoking volume that will be indispensable to advanced students, researchers and practitioners in the fields of developmental psychology, neuropsychology, speech and language therapy, and developmental disorders.

Brain disordersâ€"neurological, psychiatric, and developmentalâ€"now affect at least 250 million people in the developing world, and this number is expected to rise as life expectancy increases. Yet public and private health systems in developing countries have paid relatively little attention to brain disorders. The negative attitudes, prejudice, and stigma that often surround many of these disorders have contributed to this neglect. Lacking proper diagnosis and treatment, millions of individual lives are lost to disability and death. Such conditions exact both personal and economic costs on families, communities, and nations. The report describes the causes and risk factors associated with brain disorders. It focuses on six representative brain disorders that are prevalent in developing countries: developmental disabilities, epilepsy, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and stroke. The report makes detailed recommendations of ways to reduce the toll exacted by these six disorders. In broader strokes, the report also proposes six major strategies toward reducing the overall burden of brain disorders in the developing world.

According to the CDC "about one in six, or about 15%, of children aged 3 through 17 years have one or more developmental disabilities," such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and learning disability. Intellectual disorders are characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills, impacting learning, reasoning, problem solving, and other cognitive processes. These disabilities originate before the age of 18 and continue across the life span. Developmental disorders are chronic disabilities that can be cognitive or physical or both. The disabilities appear before the age of 22 and are likely to progress across the lifespan. Some developmental disorders are largely physical issues, such as cerebral palsy or epilepsy. Some individuals may have a disorder that includes a physical and intellectual disability; for example, Down syndrome or fetal alcohol syndrome. Intellectual and developmental disorders are significant and growing issues that are studied across a number of disciplines. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Intellectual and Developmental Disorders is aimed at students interested in psychology, counseling, education, social work, psychiatry, health sciences, and more. This encyclopedia will provide an in-depth look at a wide range of disorders, alongside interventions, the latest research translated for an undergraduate audience, historical context, and assessment tools for higher-level students. We will take a truly interdisciplinary approach by also covering sociocultural viewpoints, policy implications, educational applications, ethical issues, and more.

Table of Contents: 1. Turner syndrome in childhood / Marsha L. Davenport, Stephen R. Hooper and Martha Zeger 2. Klinefelter syndrome / Judith L. Ross, Gerry A. Stefanatos and David Roeltgen 3. Fragile X syndrome : the journey from genes to behavior / Kimberly M. Cornish, Andrew Levitas and Vicki Sudhalter 4. Duchenne muscular dystrophy / Veronica J. Hinton and Edward M. Goldstein 5. Neurofibromatosis / John M. Slopis and Bartlett D. Moore III 6. Cognitive and behavioral characteristics of children with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome / Tony J. Simon, Merav Burg-Malki and Doron Gothelf 7. Williams Syndrome / Carolyn B. Mervis and Colleen A. Morris 8. Congenital hypothyroidism : genetic and biochemical influences on brain development and neuropsychological functioning / Joanne F. Rovet and Rosalind Brown 9. Inborn errors of metabolism / Kevin M. Antshel and Georgianne Arnold 10. Neurodevelopmental effects of childhood exposure to heavy metals : lessons from pediatric lead poisoning / Theodore I. Lidsky, Agnes T. Heaney, Jay S. Schneider and John F. Rosen 11. Beyond the diagnosis : the process of genetic counseling / Allyn McConkie-Rosell and Julianne O'Daniel 12. From diagnosis to adaptation : optimizing family and child functioning when a genetic diagnosis is associated with mental retardation / Laraine Masters Glidden and Sarah A. Schoolcraft 13. When a genetic disorder is associated with learning disabilities / Michele M. M. Mazzocco 14. Early intervention and early childhood special education for young children with neurogenetic disorders / Deborah D. Hatton 15. The individualized education program : navigating the IEP development process / Vicki Sudhalter.

Since the early 1940s, when first identified as childhood psychosis and autistic psychopathy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has continued to burgeon into a major focus of inquiry and interest among researchers, practitioners, and the public alike. With each passing decade, the number of scholarly articles addressing ASD and related disabilities continues to soar. Today, thousands of papers on autism are published annually across various disciplines and journals, making it challenging – if not impossible – to keep pace with, let alone synthesize, all the latest developments. Based on a solid historical foundation of autism theory and research, the International Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders integrates the broad scholarly base of literature with a trenchant analysis of the state of the field in nosology, etiology, assessment, and treatment. Its expert contributors examine recent findings and controversies (e.g., how prevalent autism actually is), along with longstanding topics of interest as well as emerging issues. Coverage includes: A survey of diagnostic criteria and assessment strategies. Genetic, behavioral, biopsychosocial, and cognitive models. Psychiatric disorders in persons with ASD. Theory of mind and facial recognition. Diagnostic instruments for assessing core features and challenging behaviors. Evidence-based psychosocial, pharmacological, and integrative treatments. Interventions specifically for adults with ASD. Training issues for professionals and parents. A review of findings of successful and promising therapies, coupled with guidance on how to distinguish between dubious and effective treatments. The International Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders is an indispensable resource for researchers, professors, graduate students, and allied practitioners in clinical child and school psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, education, social work, rehabilitation, pediatric medicine, and developmental psychology.

This authoritative handbook reviews the breadth of current knowledge about developmental disabilities: neuroscientific and genetic foundations; the impact on health, learning, and behavior; and effective educational and clinical practices. Leading authorities analyze what works in intervening with diverse children and families, from infancy through the school years and the transition to adulthood. Chapters present established and emerging approaches to promoting communication and language abilities, academic skills, positive social relationships, and vocational and independent living skills. Current practices in positive behavior support are discussed, as are strategies for supporting family adaptation and resilience.