The textbook provides a detailed presentation of all Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) as they are defined in the most recent edition of the international diagnostic classification system DSM-5 (APA, 2013). NDDs include, as separate diagnostic entities, Intellectual Disability (ID), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Communication Disorders (CD), Specific Learning Disorder (SLD), and Motor Disorders (MD). Initially, a brief reference is made to developmental disorders as a whole, followed by a detailed description and analysis of the six NDDs and their individual subtypes. For each of the NDDs, the clinical picture and its characteristics, the classifications, the aetiological factors, the frequency and prevalence, the diagnostic criteria, the comorbidity with other disorders, the diagnostic methods and the techniques of therapeutic management are presented. The second part describes the concept of “neurodiversity” in NDDs and presents new research findings. A variety of scientific disciplines study, from different perspectives, the complex and multifactorial nature of NDDs, seek the factors underlying their aetiopathogenesis, and provide valuable information for more effective diagnosis as well as for their therapeutic management. In addition, the issue of the exceptionally high rates of co-occurrence (comorbidity) is thoroughly addressed, both among the different types of NDDs and between NDDs and other disorders. The third part places particular emphasis on one of the most widespread NDDs, Specific Learning Disorder (also known as “Specific Learning Difficulties” and/or “Dyslexia”). The approaches to identifying the disorder over the years and the attempts to define it are set out; the clinical profile through which it may manifest in different individuals (heterogeneity) is described; and its developmental course (clinical continuum) is presented, from preschool age through to adult life.

● Eleni I. Bonti is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.