Neurodevelopmental disorders
Intellectual Development Disorder
Intellectual Development Disorder is commonly referred to as “intellectual disability.”
This condition typically begins before a person turns 18. It is marked by challenges in both thinking abilities and everyday skills.
Thinking abilities are typically assessed using IQ tests, where a resulting score below 70 often suggests the presence of a limitation.
As a result of the condition, everyday skills such as taking care of oneself, interacting with others, and managing daily tasks, are affected.
Global Development Delay
This diagnosis applies to young children under the age of five who experience developmental delays in social skills, speech, language, and mobility skills.
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The diagnosis is considered temporary because young children are not yet able to undergo standardized IQ testing. As they grow older and are able to participate in these tests, a more specific diagnosis of intellectual developmental disorder can be made.
Communication Disorders
These disorders affect how people use, understand, or produce language and speech. The DSM-5 book outlines four main types of communication disorders: language disorder, speech sound disorder, childhood-onset fluency disorder, and social communication disorder.
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A language disorder refers to difficulties in understanding and/or using spoken, written, or other symbol-based communication systems. This disorder can affect:
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The structure of language, including how sounds (phonology), word formation (morphology), and sentence structure (syntax) are used.
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The meaning of language, including understanding and using vocabulary and concepts (semantics).
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The practical use of language in communication, such as social rules and conventions (pragmatics).
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These aspects may be affected individually or in combination within a person experiencing a language disorder.
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Speech sound disorders cover issues with hearing, making, or understanding speech sounds. This includes problems with:
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Hearing and telling apart speech sounds.
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Speaking and forming speech sounds correctly.
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Using speech sounds in the right way according to language rules, like how sounds fit together in words.
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Childhood-onset fluency disorder (COFD), often known as stuttering, is a speech disorder that disrupts the smooth flow and timing of spoken communication. Symptoms of COFD usually start during early childhood, with many cases appearing by the age of six.
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Social (pragmatic) communication disorder is a condition where individuals have difficulty using verbal and nonverbal communication skills in social contexts. This includes challenges in understanding and using social cues, maintaining conversations, and adjusting language based on different situations or listeners.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism is characterized by persistent challenges in social interaction and communication across various life domains, alongside repetitive and restricted behaviors. According to the DSM-5, symptoms of autism spectrum disorder must manifest early in development and significantly impair essential areas of functioning, including social relationships and occupational or educational achievements.
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Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is characterized by a persistent pattern of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention that significantly disrupts daily functioning and occurs in multiple settings such as home, work, school, and social environments.
According to the DSM-5, symptoms of ADHD must have been noticeable before the age of 12 and must cause problems in social relationships, work or school performance. This ensures that the condition has a noticeable impact on important areas of life.
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