Metabolic, Biogenetic, Seizure, and Neuromotor Disorders of Childhood

Abstract

Various metabolic, biogenetic/chromosomal, seizure, and neuromotor disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy) are the focus of this chapter. These neurological disorders frequently result in accompanying neuropsychological, social/emotional, and behavioral difficulties that place stress on the child, family, and school. As with other neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders, the child neuropsychologist needs to be particularly sensitive to these stressors when assessing and planning intervention programs. Recognition of these variables is just beginning to be studied, but clinical practice indicates that children with these various disorders require support in all environments-home, school, and social. A transactional approach to the deficits experienced by children with these disorders would be most ecologically valid while also providing information for the most appropriate interventions.