Manual of Developmental and Behavioral Problems in Children

It is this author's goal to provide concise information for child health professionals—such as pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and professionals working in early intervention and special education—to enable them to manage developmental and behavioral problems of children from birth to school age. The book provides material in an accessible handbook format. The contents are organized efficiently in a framework of normal development, developmental disorders, developmental disorders with behavioral symptoms, behavioral disorders, miscellaneous developmental-behavioral problems, and principles of management.

The beginning chapters thoroughly describe normal development, citing Freud, Piaget, and Kohlberg. They discuss developmental assessment, addressing standardized intelligence tests, developmental screens, parental reports, neurodevelopmental evaluation, and differential diagnosis. The comprehensive developmental and behavioral disorders sections provide information in a consistent format: definition, prevalence, etiology and clinical features, management, and prevention. Tables and algorithms are included for differential diagnosis, treatment approaches, drug dosage, and criteria for referral to educational, social services, and medical specialists.

Besides its intended audience of child health professionals, this book would be useful for mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. It addresses the distinction between developmental and behavioral disorders and lists current treatment approaches for children with both kinds of difficulties. The need for cultural sensitivity and the need to approach families empathically about difficult diagnostic information are delineated. The manual could also serve as a resource for obtaining educational entitlements for children and for referring children and families to appropriate educational and social services.

References listed at the end of each chapter can provide more detailed information. Overall, this book can serve as a concise reference manual for management and referral of children with developmental and behavioral disorders for professionals who work with children with these disorders.

Ms. Van Schoick is affiliated with the early intervention and family support program in the department of pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts in Worcester.