Exploring Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Insights into Child Development
International Live Conference on Child Psychology Theme: Nurturing Young Minds: Insights and Innovations in Child Psychology Date: April 13, 2024 Time: 8:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST)
Location: Online LinkedIn (Join for Free): Live Stream Link Registration: Click here
Volume: Child Psychology 2024_CN57_AA02 Title: Exploring Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Insights into Child Development
Speaker: Shravani Palnitkar MSc. Clinical Psychology Student, Clinical + Research Intern
MIT World Peace University, Pune; NICHE Advocacy Foundation
India Email: shravanip2001@gmail.com Abstract
Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) elicit a spectrum of disorders which cause intrinsic alterations in the development which manifest in a compromised functioning in personal, social, academic functioning of the child. They range from Intellectual Disability, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder to Language and Motor Disorders. Delving into the clinical understanding of NDDs enables us to better understand their forms and nature in which they can manifest along with their functional consequences. Additionally, its education helps us in advancing our current knowledge and to build a compassionate and inclusive society which takes into account the plight of children with NDDs and knowing the ways to cater to their needs. Child development is a journey with a plethora of stages to achieve and just when a stage seems to be difficult to achieve with other observable symptoms, it can be indicative of the presence of an underlying neurodevelopmental concern. This presentation aims at commencing with an overview of NDDS, understanding their neurobiological and environmental etiologies, symptomatology and manifestation, with a special emphasis on their developmental trajectory. This would aid in a clinical understanding of the said conditions of concern and to shed light on the awareness of the difficulties faced by the individuals to conduct, carry out activities and sustain in the face of challenges that are often beyond their control. Our motto is not only confined towards understanding the conditions of children undergoing neurodevelopmental challenges but also the management of their conditions. The role of parents and caregivers, other family members, educating staff, and the community at large is pivotal and taking a look from their lens would permit us to be sensitive in our approach towards knowing their plight and the significant role that they play in the child’s life. We would further take a glance at what developmental milestones are compromised by taking into account child developmental stages which developmental research and theories present to us. This would give some valuable insights and support our comprehension of the intersection of child development and neurodevelopmental disorders which often affects learning, behaviour and socialization of children in varied and unpredictable ways.
Further, the presentation would focus on the concept of ‘Neurodiversity’ which is our advocative standpoint of the ways in which we as a community should be sensitive, accepting and enabling towards individuals experiencing NDDs. This would entail practical actions to be taken at homes, schools, and recreational and other settings to not only accept children with NDDs, but to celebrate them for their unique abilities and who they are at the core. All of us are fundamentally different from one another because we are wired differently but at the core we are all sensitive beings, which is a simple yet fulfilling reason to celebrate neurodiversity! Keywords: Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Child Development, Developmental Milestones, Challenges, Neurodiversity
