What is Neurodevelopment?

brain

What is neurodevelopment?

‘Neurodevelopment’ is how the brain develops and works

 

Some families have concerns about their child’s development. Your child will have lots of things they enjoy doing but you may notice some differences in these areas:

·       Attachment and relationships

·       Attention, memory, organisation and planning

·       Emotional wellbeing and feelings

·       Flexibility

·       Learning

·       Being independent

·       Motor skills – e.g. balance or coordination

·       Play

·       Regulation – e.g. calming down when they’re distressed

·       Social and Communication skills

·       Senses – e.g. sounds, lights or textures


Terminology


Neurodiverse refers to a group of people in which some people are neurotypical and some are neurodivergent.


Neurotypical can be used to describe individuals whose brain develops and functions in ways that are considered usual or expected by society. 


Neurodivergent is the term for when someone's brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered "typical." 


What is a neurodevelopmental condition?


ND conditions are a group of conditions which are caused by the way someone’s brain develops. They are very common. They may be a result of genetic or environmental factors, or a combination of both. They usually appear in childhood. Here are some examples:

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
autism spectrum disorder
developmental coordination disorder
developmental language disorder
fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
intellectual or learning disability

Neurodevelopmental difficulties can affect children and young people’s development. Children and young people may experience difficulties across different areas, including:


ND conditions are life-long and can impact on daily activities and family life. Understanding a child’s abilities and difficulties can help you, as parents and other people in a child’s life, to support a child to flourish.