Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Guide to Evaluation and Treatment

225 Pages·2018·2.13 MB·English

by  Christopher J. Nicholls

Neurodevelopmental Disorders in
Children and Adolescents
Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children and Adolescents provides an
innovative perspective on developmental disorders in youth, one focused on
embracing and working with the “messiness” and many variables at play in
child and adolescent development. The volume’s approach is aligned with the
NIMH Research Domain Criteria project, which hopes to move away from
categorical diagnosis toward multidimensional analysis. Each chapter focuses
on a particular aspect of development, cluster of diagnoses, or clinical concern.
The book also emphasizes humility, an awareness of diversity and difference
without stigma, and support for collaborative and integrative healthcare. This
is an essential volume for practitioners hoping to improve how they evaluate
and treat developmental disorders in children.
Christopher J. Nicholls, PhD, ABPP, ABPdN, is a clinical neuropsychologist
with more than 35 years of experience working in medical centers, teaching
hospitals, and private practice, specializing in neurodevelopmental disorders.
He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Neuropsychology, the American
Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology, and the American Academy of
Clinical Psychology.
Clinical Topics in Psychology and Psychiatry
Bret A. Moore, PsyD, Series Editor
For a complete list of all books in this series, please visit the series page at:
www.routledge.com/Clinical-Topics-in-Psychology-and-Psychiatry/book-series/
TFSE00310
Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children and Adolescents
A Guide to Evaluation and Treatment
by Christopher J. Nicholls
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Neurodevelopmental
Disorders in Children
and Adolescents
A Guide to Evaluation and Treatment
Christopher J. Nicholls
First published 2018
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2018 Christopher J. Nicholls
The right of Christopher J. Nicholls to be identified as author of this
work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78
of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical,
or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval
system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Nicholls, Christopher J., author.
Title: Neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents :
a guide to evaluation and treatment / Christopher J. Nicholls.
Description: New York, NY : Routledge, 2018. | Includes
bibliographical references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017051782 (print) | LCCN 2017052300 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781315408668 (eBook) | ISBN 9781138215894 (hardback) |
ISBN 9781138215900 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781315408668 (ebk)
Subjects: | MESH: Neurodevelopmental Disorders | Child |
Adolescent
Classification: LCC RJ486.5 (ebook) | LCC RJ486.5 (print) | NLM
WS 350.6 | DDC 618.92/8—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017051782
ISBN: 978-1-138-21589-4 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-21590-0 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-40866-8 (ebk)
Typeset in Goudy
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
To Linda, Spencer and Alex

Brief Table of Contents
Series Editor’s Foreword xiii
BRET A. MOORE
Introduction 1
SECTION I
Dimensions of Being Different 5
1 Biological Dimensions of Difference 7
2 Familial and Social Dimensions 27
3 Conceptual Dimensions 45
4 On Categories and Dimensions 63
SECTION II
The “Usual Suspects” 75
5 Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 77
6 Attention and Executive Function Disorders 97
7 Developmental Social Neuroscience and the Autism
Spectrum of Disorders 119
8 Disorders of Academic Learning 134
viii Brief Table of Contents
SECTION III
The Role of the Clinician 155
9 Considerations for Assessment 157
10 Putting It All Together and Writing a Report 170
11 Considerations for Intervention 182
12 Questions to Ask Oneself 192
Index 199
Expanded Table of Contents
Series Editor’s Foreword xiii
BRET A. MOORE
Introduction 1
SECTION I
Dimensions of Being Different 5
1 Biological Dimensions of Difference 7
You Don’t Pick Your Parents 7
Are You Sure They Are Your Parents? 8
Neurulation and the Growth of the Nervous System 9
The Prenatal Environment 12
Prematurity 15
Delivery and the Perinatal Period 16
Prevention and Early Identification 19
Developmental Delays 20
Acquired Medical Illness and Injury 22
Conclusions 24
2 Familial and Social Dimensions 27
Family Environment and Characteristics 27
The Hangover of Old Models 28
Variations on Family Systems 30
Family Stages and Cycles 34
Peer Influences 37
School Influences 39
Conclusions 42