Unsocialized Conduct Disorder Unsocialized conduct disorder is a specific type of behavior disorder where a person—typically a child or teenager—shows aggressive and antisocial behavior but doesn’t really form close relationships, even with those who might share their disruptive behaviors. Unlike other conduct disorders where the individual might still have a few strong personal connections, those […]

Understanding Specific Developmental Disorders of Speech and Language Specific Developmental Disorders of Speech and Language are a group of conditions where the primary impairment is in the acquisition and use of verbal communication. These disorders affect the ability to articulate sounds correctly, use spoken language to communicate effectively, or understand what others are saying. Unlike […]

Other Behavioral and Emotional Disorders with Onset Usually Occurring in Childhood and Adolescence This group of disorders refers to mental health issues that first appear when a person is still developing — physically, mentally, and emotionally — during their childhood and teen years. Unlike general disorders that can begin at any age, these are specifically […]

Hyperkinetic Disorders Hyperkinetic disorders refer to conditions marked by an unusually high level of activity and difficulty maintaining attention. These disorders are particularly noted for affecting children and are closely aligned with what many know as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The term itself, “hyperkinetic,” combines “hyper” (meaning excessive) and “kinesis” (meaning movement), which aptly […]

Disorders of Social Functioning with Onset Specific to Childhood and Adolescence This category includes disorders that first appear during the developmental stages of childhood or adolescence. These disorders are defined primarily by difficulties in social interactions—either in forming, maintaining, or understanding social relationships. Unlike typical shyness or temporary social withdrawal, these disorders cause significant and […]

Stuttering [Stammering] Stuttering, or stammering, is a speech disorder involving disruptions in the normal flow of speech. These disruptions, called disfluencies, often include repetitions of sounds, syllables, or words; prolongations of sounds; and interruptions in speech known as blocks. Stuttering can affect anyone but most commonly begins in childhood, affecting early developmental stages of speech […]

Stereotyped Movement Disorders Stereotyped movement disorders refer to repetitive, non-functional movements that an individual engages in, often without a clear purpose. These movements are typically rhythmic and can be quite noticeable. They’re not performed to achieve an outcome; rather, they seem to be driven by an inherent compulsion. Common Symptoms of Stereotyped Movement Disorders Different […]

Specific Spelling Disorder Specific Spelling Disorder is a learning disability characterized by difficulties with spelling that are not consistent with the individual’s age, educational opportunities, intellectual abilities, and exposure to effective instruction. Unlike general writing disorders, which can include issues with grammar, punctuation, and composition, Specific Spelling Disorder focuses primarily on the accuracy and consistency […]

Specific Speech Articulation Disorder Specific Speech Articulation Disorder is a type of communication disorder where individuals have difficulties making certain sounds correctly according to their age and linguistic norms. These difficulties are not due to a general medical condition (like cerebral palsy or hearing loss) and do not fit the patterns of normal speech development. […]

Specific Reading Disorder Specific Reading Disorder, commonly known as dyslexia, is a learning disability characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, poor decoding abilities, and spelling mistakes. These challenges are unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Dyslexia is neurobiological in origin and often runs in […]

Specific Disorder of Arithmetical Skills Specific Disorder of Arithmetical Skills, often referred to as dyscalculia, is a learning disability that affects a person’s ability to understand numbers and learn math facts and procedures. This disorder involves difficulties with mathematical tasks that are not consistent with a person’s chronological age, intellectual ability, or educational experiences. Dyscalculia […]

Social Anxiety Disorder of Childhood Social Anxiety Disorder in childhood is when a child experiences extreme and persistent fear of social situations where they feel exposed to possible judgment or scrutiny by others. This is much more than typical shyness—it’s an intense fear that can seriously disrupt their ability to interact in school and during […]

Sibling Rivalry Disorder Sibling rivalry disorder refers to intense, frequent, and chronic conflict between siblings that goes beyond occasional or normal sibling disagreements. While sibling rivalry in some form is common in most families, it becomes a concern when the level of conflict disrupts daily family functioning, affects the emotional or psychological well-being of the […]

Separation Anxiety Disorder of Childhood Separation anxiety disorder of childhood is a psychological condition in which a child experiences excessive anxiety regarding separation from home or from people to whom the child has a strong emotional attachment, typically primary caregivers. This anxiety is beyond what is developmentally appropriate for the child’s age and significantly interferes […]

Rett’s Syndrome Rett’s Syndrome is a rare genetic neurological and developmental disorder that primarily affects females and is characterized by a period of normal development followed by a decline in cognitive, social, and motor skills. It is classified as part of the Autism Spectrum Disorders in earlier diagnostic frameworks but is distinguished by its specific […]

Receptive Language Disorder Receptive language disorder is a communication disorder characterized by difficulties in understanding and processing language. Individuals with this disorder struggle to comprehend spoken words and sentences, interpret what is being said, and sometimes follow directions or respond appropriately to questions. This condition impacts an individual’s ability to effectively receive and interpret communication […]

Reactive Attachment Disorder of Childhood Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is a severe and relatively rare condition characterized by significant disturbances in a child’s ability to form healthy emotional attachments with others. It typically arises from grossly insufficient care during early childhood, such as severe neglect, abuse, frequent changes in caregivers, or lack of a stable […]

Pica of Infancy and Childhood Pica is a psychological disorder characterized by the persistent eating of substances that have no nutritional value. In infants and children, pica involves the compulsive ingestion of items such as dirt, clay, chalk, hair, ice, paper, paint chips, and other non-food materials. This behavior must continue for at least one […]

Phobic Anxiety Disorder of Childhood Phobic anxiety disorder of childhood is a condition where a child experiences an intense and irrational fear of specific objects, situations, or activities. This fear is disproportionate to the actual threat posed and is significant enough to interfere with the child’s normal functioning. Unlike generalized anxiety disorders, phobic anxiety focuses […]

Over Active Disorder Associated with Mental Retardation and Stereotyped Movements Overactive Disorder Associated with Mental Retardation and Stereotyped Movements is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that involves significant challenges in cognitive functioning (mental retardation), increased activity levels (overactivity), and repetitive, purposeless actions (stereotyped movements). This disorder reflects a severe spectrum of symptoms affecting behavior, cognitive abilities, […]

Other Hyperkinetic Disorders “Other hyperkinetic disorders” is a term that encompasses a range of disorders similar to, but distinct from, the primary form of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These disorders share the core symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, but may not meet all the diagnostic criteria for ADHD or might include additional symptoms […]

Other Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Other Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CD), also known as Heller’s syndrome or disintegrative psychosis, is a rare condition characterized by a marked regression in multiple areas of development after several years of normal development. This disorder is similar to autism but is distinguished by the age of onset and the pattern of […]

Oppositional Defiant Disorder Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a behavioral disorder characterized primarily by a persistent pattern of angry, defiant, and vindictive behavior towards authority figures. This condition is most commonly diagnosed in childhood and early adolescence. ODD involves more than occasional resistance or defiance; it is frequent and significantly impairs a child’s social, educational, […]

Nonorganic Enuresis Nonorganic enuresis refers to involuntary urination that is not associated with any physiological (organic) causes but is instead believed to stem from psychological or behavioral factors. This condition is more commonly known simply as “enuresis,” which is often used interchangeably with “bedwetting.” Typically, it is diagnosed when a child continues to wet the […]

Nonorganic Encopresis Nonorganic encopresis refers to the repeated passing of feces into inappropriate places (such as clothing or the floor) by a child who is typically at an age at which toileting skills are expected (usually four years or older). This behavior is not attributable to any physiological cause; instead, it is often related to […]

Mixed Disorder of Scholastic Skills Mixed Disorder of Scholastic Skills is a learning disability that involves significant impairments in two or more areas of learning, typically affecting a combination of reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. This disorder is characterized by difficulties that are substantially below what is expected for a person’s age, level of education, […]

Hyperkinetic Conduct Disorder Hyperkinetic Conduct Disorder (HCD) is a diagnostic term that combines features of two distinct disorders: hyperkinetic disorder (often synonymous with ADHD) and conduct disorder. This condition is marked by a pattern of defiant, antisocial, or disruptive behavior along with the hyperactivity and impulsivity typical of hyperkinetic disorders. Symptoms of Hyperkinetic Conduct Disorder […]

Feeding Disorder of Infancy and Childhood Feeding disorders in young children involve more than just the occasional fussiness at mealtime. These disorders encompass a range of problems related to eating that result in a child not consuming enough nutrition to support healthy growth and development. The issues are not due to a lack of food […]

Expressive Language Disorder Expressive language disorder is a communication disorder that specifically impacts a person’s ability to verbally express themselves effectively. Individuals with this disorder struggle with using appropriate vocabulary, forming complete sentences, and recalling words, which affects their ability to communicate thoughts, ideas, and feelings clearly. Symptoms of Expressive Language Disorder Forms of Expressive […]

Emotional Disorders with Onset Specific to Childhood Emotional disorders with onset specific to childhood are a group of psychological disorders that appear exclusively during the early years of a child’s development. These disorders primarily involve emotional disturbances that significantly impair a child’s ability to function normally in social, educational, or familial settings. They are distinct […]

Elective Mutism Elective mutism, now more commonly referred to as selective mutism, is a complex childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a child’s inability to speak in certain social situations, despite being able to speak comfortably in settings where they feel secure and relaxed, typically at home or in the presence of close family members. This […]

Disturbance of Activity and Attention Disturbance of activity and attention refers to a pattern of behavior that is characterized by an abnormal level of overactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. This condition is primarily observed in children and is often considered synonymous with or closely related to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Symptoms Forms of Disturbance of […]

Disinhibited Attachment Disorder of Childhood Disinhibited Attachment Disorder of Childhood, formally known as Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED), is a condition arising from a lack of consistent caregiving during early childhood. It is characterized by a child’s inappropriate and overly familiar behavior with relatively unfamiliar adults. This disorder typically develops due to severe social neglect, […]

Conduct Disorders Conduct disorders represent a group of behavioral and emotional problems in children and adolescents characterized by a persistent pattern of rule-breaking, social norms defiance, and violating the rights of others. Individuals with conduct disorder exhibit behaviors that are socially unacceptable and aggressive, often causing significant problems in school, social settings, and at home. […]

Conduct Disorder Confined To The Family Context Conduct disorder confined to the family context is a subtype of conduct disorder where problematic behaviors primarily occur in home settings and involve family members. This form of conduct disorder is characterized by behaviors that are disruptive, aggressive, or antisocial but are noticeably present or significantly more intense […]

Cluttering Cluttering is a fluency disorder characterized by a rapid and/or irregular speaking rate, increased disfluencies, and often a lack of awareness of the disorder by the person speaking. Unlike stuttering, where disfluencies are typically predictable and involve repetitions or prolongations of sounds, cluttering is more about the flow and organization of speech. It results […]

Childhood Autism Childhood autism, often referred to simply as autism, is classified within the broader category of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as defined in the latest editions of standard diagnostic manuals like the DSM-5. This developmental disorder appears in early childhood and is characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and the presence of repetitive […]

Atypical autism Atypical autism falls under the broader category of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) but differs from typical autism in that individuals do not fully meet the criteria of Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome as defined by diagnostic guidelines like those in the DSM-IV or the ICD-10. These individuals exhibit some autistic behaviors and symptoms but […]

Asperger’s syndrome Asperger’s Syndrome is a developmental disorder that was historically considered to be on the milder end of the autism spectrum. It is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. Unlike other forms of autism, individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome typically do not […]

Acquired Aphasia with Epilepsy [Landau – Kieffner Syndrome] Acquired Aphasia with Epilepsy, also known as Landau-Kleffner Syndrome (LKS), is a rare, childhood neurological disorder characterized by the sudden or gradual development of aphasia (the loss or impairment of language skills) and an abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG). LKS typically affects children who have previously developed normally, showing […]