When we think of mental disorders or problems, it is easy for problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or phobias to come to mind. ADHD or autism. Next we will review what are the types of neurodevelopmental disorders , the category to which they belong.

Neurodevelopmental disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders or disorders of neurological development are the set of disorders and mental difficulties that have their origin in a non-neurotypical development of the brain or in the presence of alterations or lesions in its maturation.

They therefore originate in early childhood or during the developmental process, and the first symptoms can usually be detected early.

The alterations caused by these disorders generate difficulties of varying intensity in the processes of adaptation and social participation and/or in the performance of basic survival activities. The subject’s activity is limited or altered with respect to what would be habitual in other subjects with the same age and conditions.

Types of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in DSM-5

The label of neurodevelopmental disorders covers a large number of disorders that share the above-mentioned characteristics, although there are remarkable differences between them depending on the aspects that are affected.

We will now look at the main groups of neurodevelopmental disorders covered by the latest version of one of the most important reference manuals, the DSM-5. For ease of understanding, substance use disorders or medical illnesses are not included.

1. Intellectual disabilities

Intellectual disability is considered one of the disorders of neurodevelopment, due to the appearance of deficiencies or difficulties in intellectual functions and in adaptive behaviour in its conceptual, practical or social aspects , which have as a consequence a possible limitation of the functioning of the subject in and one or more vital areas unless they have specific support.

Also included in this group is global developmental delay, which is diagnosed when it is not possible to assess the severity of the disorder in children under five, despite the fact that it is observed that it does not meet the expected developmental milestones. This diagnosis is provisional.

2. Communication disorders

Communication disorders are those disorders of neurodevelopment in which the subject is not able to.communicate.adequately or learn to do so despite possessing sufficient mental capacities to do so.

Within this group of disorders we find language disorder (formerly TEL), phonological disorder, pragmatic communication disorder, or stuttering or fluency of speech disorder of childhood onset.

3. Autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by the presence of difficulties in communication and interpersonal interaction, behavior patterns, and repetitive and restrictive interests. Those who suffer from it have difficulties in understanding the rules that govern social interactions and in capturing and expressing feelings, often have a literal oral language and are complex in capturing subtleties and figurative uses of it, presenting preference and need for routine and monotony and poorly accepting changes.

Although previously different disorders were distinguished within this spectrum, such as Kanner-type autism and Asperger’s, it is now considered a single disorder that encompasses them (although with specifiers).

4. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Another of the best known neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD is a disorder characterized by the presence of typical symptoms of intention (such as difficulty in maintaining attention, making mistakes due to lack of it, high distractibility, non-completion of tasks, loss and forgetfulness of objects and activities , mental absence…) and/or hyperactivity (excessive speech, motor restlessness, difficulty in remaining seated or waiting for shifts, interrupting other people’s activities…).

Symptoms of intention, hyperactivity or a mixed presentation may predominate.

It is also possible to find cases in which there are no cases of hyperactivity but only intention, now called attention deficit disorder or ADD.

5. Specific learning disorder

A specific learning disorder is one in which the subject manifests difficulties in the acquisition and use of academic skills, such as reading, writing and mathematics.

The individual has difficulties in reading, interpreting and using language (e.g. has problems with grammar and spelling) and/or mathematical concepts. These difficulties are beyond what is expected for someone of the age and intellectual capacity of the subjects , interfering with their academic activity.

6. Motor disorders

Another large group of neurodevelopmental disorders are motor disorders, in which there are difficulties in aspects related to movement such as coordination or involuntary movements.

Among these disorders are developmental coordination disorder , stereotyped movement disorder and tic disorders . In this last group we find Tourette’s disorder, together with persistent motor or vocal tics and transitory tics.

7. Others

This label is used in those disorders linked to alterations in neurodevelopment that cause the subject to be affected in one or more vital areas, but which do not meet the diagnostic criteria of any of the previous groups of disorders.

For example, those disorders linked to the mother’s use of substances during pregnancy , or in cases where there is not enough information to classify the disorder in question.

Bibliographic references:

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Fifth edition. DSM-V. Masson, Barcelona.