Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Beyond the Diagnosis

Increasingly clinicians are taking more active roles in the management of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Management of these children extends beyond traditional boundaries of health. The purpose of this review is to provide clinicians with an approach to the management of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Patient advocacy is crucial for effective practice when working with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. An effective advocate understands how a child’s impairments relate to his/her limitations and works to prevent barriers to participation. The advocate recognizes the multiple domains in a child’s health and life that must be addressed. An overall management program should be developed in cooperation with the child’s primary advocates, his/her family. There are multiple different therapies, each with its own goals, that should be coordinated and prioritized as part of this plan. Federal programs can provide some of these therapies for children.

Keywords:  developmental disabilities , mental retardation , communication disorders , child development disorders , pervasive , Cerebral Palsy , rehabilitation , special education , child advocacy