Developmental and Behavioural Disorders (ADHD and Autism)

Key points

• • Developmental and behavioural disorders affect how a child thinks, communicates, moves or behaves, compared with expected milestones.
• • Autism spectrum disorder features difficulty with social communication, along with repetitive behaviours and narrow, intense interests.
• • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) features inattention, overactivity and impulsiveness beyond what is normal for the age.
• • Intellectual disability means a significantly reduced ability to learn and to cope with daily life, present from childhood.
• • Early recognition allows support and therapy that improve a child's learning and independence.