Neurodevelopmental disorders Detection and referral of at-risk children

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this guideline are to:

• harmonise detection and referral practices in children with a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) in an at-risk population from birth to 7 years of age (7 years and 11 months) within formalised paediatric care networks and by primary healthcare professionals in conjunction with them;
• optimise the pathway of the child and his/her family, from identification of warning signs of NDD through to referral for early intervention and/or to a second-line diagnostic and management team.

NDDs1 begin during the development period and include:

• intellectual disabilities (intellectual development disorder);
• communication disorders;
• autism spectrum disorder;
• specific learning disorder (reading, written expression and dyscalculia);
• motor disorders (developmental coordination disorder, stereotypies, tics);
• attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD);
• other NDDs, specified (for example, NDD associated with prenatal alcohol exposure), or otherwise.