Neurodevelopmental Disorders

ADHD is a disorder in which people have difficulty with (1) focusing and sustaining attention, and/or (2) hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Most people have difficulty with these two things once in a while, but the difficulty is so great for people with ADHD that they experience significant impairment resulting in problems at school or work.

Here are some common symptoms of ADHD:

Attention Problems:

• Difficulty paying attention to details or frequently making careless mistakes
• Difficulty sustaining attention during activities
• Difficulty following through on instructions or failing to finish activities  (e.g., school work or chores)
• Difficulty organizing tasks and activities
• Dislike of activities that require sustained attention or focus
• Frequently losing things
• Becoming easily distracted
• Experiencing forgetfulness

Hyperactivity & Impulsivity Problems:

• Frequently fidgeting or squirming with hands or feet
• Difficulty sitting still
• Feeling restless
• Difficulty doing things quietly
• Feeling constantly “on the go”
• Talking too much
• Frequently frustrated when having to wait
• Frequently interrupting others
• Failing to think things through before acting

ADHD can manifest itself in different ways:

• Predominantly Inattentive Type is a form of ADHD in which the person mainly has difficulty with attention and has fewer symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity.
• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type is a form of ADHD in which the person mainly has difficulty with hyperactivity and/or impulsivity and has less difficulty with attention.
• Combined Type is a form of ADHD in which the person has major difficulties with both attention and with hyperactivity or impulsivity.

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that is characterized by impaired development in social interaction, communication and behavior. It is considered a spectrum disorder due to the variation in type and severity of symptoms one may experience. Signs of autism arise before the age of three, yet this disorder continues through adulthood.

Symptoms may include problems in:

• Social interactions and relationships
  • Problems developing non-verbal communication skills such as eye contact, facial expressions, and body posture
  • Failure to establish and maintain friendships
  • Lack of interest in sharing enjoyment and interests with others
  • Lack of empathy
• Verbal and nonverbal communication
  • Problems taking steps to start a conversation or maintain a conversation
  • Stereotyped and repetitive use of language, such as repeating phrases over and over again
  • Difficulty understanding other’s perspectives, such as understanding humor, sarcasm, and irony
• Limited interest in activities and play
  • Stereotyped behaviors such as body rocking or hand flapping
  • Need for sameness and routines
  • Preoccupation with stereotyped patterns of interest abnormal in intensity or focus
  • Preoccupation with parts or objects

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People with learning disorders have average or above-average intelligence, yet have difficulty in one or more areas of learning that are significant enough to cause academic, occupational, or daily life problems.

Learning disorders are NOT an indication of low intelligence. In fact, many brilliant and influential people struggle with learning disorders.

Learning disorders can manifest themselves in different ways. Here are some common learning disorders:

Reading Disorder is a condition in which people have great difficulty reading accurately and/or comprehending what they read.

Mathematics Disorder is a condition in which people have difficulty performing various processes needed to complete math problems (e.g., reading or writing numbers, comprehending word problems, organizing numbers, etc.).

Disorder of Written Expression is a condition in which a person has great difficulty writing clearly, organizing thoughts, using correct grammar, and writing coherent thoughts.

Want to learn more about Learning Disorders?

Try the following resources:

• National Center for Learning Disabilities
• Learning Disabilities Association of America website
• Visit the Services for Students with Disabilities website to learn more about helpful services that are available to students with learning disorders.