About Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
Residency training
A Comprehensive Residency Training Program Incorporating
Pediatrics, Child Neurology, and Allied Fields (Genetics, Physiatry, Psychiatry).
The Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Residency Program was developed by the
joint efforts of the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board
of Psychiatry and Neurology to provide a truly interdisciplinary and comprehensive
program for training in Neurodevelopmental Disabilties.
In 1999, The American Board of Medical Specialties recognized the new subspecialty
of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. The first subspecialty examinations were
given in 2001. This subspecialty provides specialized training for those
interested in academic or clinical careers in the evaluation and management
of children with a wide variety of neurodevelopmental disorders. It also
provides opportunities for the development of a research interest that furthers
knowledge of these disorders and their treatment.
A residency in neurodevelopmental disabilities expands on those elements
of pediatrics and child neurology that most closely focus on the diagnosis
and treatment of disorders of the developing nervous system. What we have
learned about the brain in the past two decades, particularly on the genetic
level, is revolutionizing the evaluation and management of children with
developmental disorders such as autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation,
and learning and language disorders. The specialty links exciting new developments
in molecular genetics, neuroimaging, and electrophysiology with the traditional
pediatric and neurological assessments of the development of motors skills,
sensory awareness, cognition, language, and socialization in children.
The NDD residency involves rigorous six-year residency program that combines
pediatric and neurological training in the relevant basic sciences with supervised
clinical training in the diagnosis and care of children with neurodevelopmental
disorders. Upon completion of the residency, the graduate will be eligible
for certification in Pediatrics, Neurology with Special Competence in Child
Neurology, and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.
Developed by the join efforts of the American Board of Pediatrics and the
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, this program marks a milestone
in the development of advanced training programs for management of children
with developmental disabilities.
The Four Year Curriculum follows successful completion of two core
years of Pediatrics in an ACGME approved training program.
a) One year of adult neurology: The purpose of this experience is to develop
knowledge of the cardinal manifestation of neurological disease. Trainees
will learn anatomic localization within the nervous system and apply the
analytic and synthetic approaches associated with diagnosis and management
of neurologic disorders. This component will include care for adults with
chronic neurodevelopmental disabilities.
b) Eighteen months of clinical child neurology and neurodevelopmental
disabilities: The purpose of this rotation is to develop neurodiagnostics
skills in children and approaches to management of brain disorders of childhood.
This component will include clinical training in the neurodevelopmental
disabilities as well as training in the interdisciplinary team approaches
to children with these disorders.
c) Eighteen months of clinical and basic science: The purpose of this
training component is to develop a braod background in clinical and basic
neurosciences. Trainees will also cultivate the skills necessary for academic
viability: research, teaching, and administrative. This component will
include at least one-month experience in each of the following: child and
adolescent psychiatry, neurosurgery, and neurorehabilitation. The resident
will also gain significant clinical experience with behavorial neurology,
neurogenetics/metabolism, neuromuscular disorders, neuro-oncology, and
neuro-ophthalmology. Research training and experiences will be included
during this component.
Didactic Components:
- Residents will obtain a sufficient background in those basic sciences
upon which child neurology and neurodevelopment are founded, including
neuroanatomy, neuroembryology, neurodevelopment, neuropathology, basic
neurophysiology, neuroimaging, neuropsychology, neurochemistry, neuropharmacology,
molecular biology, genetics, neuroimmunology, epidemiology and biostatistics.
- Residents will learn principles of evaluation, diagnosis, and management
of neurological disorders.
- Specialty Content:
a) Residents will learn the fundamentals of specific diagnostics
and management strategies of the major neurodevelopmental disabilities
including, but not limited to, cognitive disorders (metal retardation,
learning disabilities, progressive encephalopathies), communication
disorders, neurobehavioral disorders (autistic spectrum disorders,
attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder), motor disabilities (cerebral
palsy, spina bifida, neuromuscular and other neuromotor disorders,
movement and tic disorders), special sensory disorders (visual and
auditory), and multiple disabilities.
b) Residents will learn the appropriate instruments for neuropsychological
assessment and understand how to apply developmental measurements and scales.
c) Residents will become familiar with anticipatory guidance and counseling
of families with children who have developmental disabilities.
d) Residents will learn strategies for pharmacological and non-pharmacological
management of self-injurious and other troublesome behaviors.
e) Residents will learn the skills for the management of abnormal tone
and movement disorders. This will include some training in the technical
skills needed to manage such patients.
f) Residents will learn how to secure, organize, and manage patient resources
and treatment.
- Bioethics, Economics and End of Life Content: Residents will receive
instruction in the bioethics and economics of medicine, particularly as
they apply to individuals with chronic disabling conditions. The resident
will also receive instruction in appropriate and compassionate methods
of end-of-life palliative care.
- Conferences: Residents will regularly attend conferences in the following
disciplines: child neurology, neurorehabilitation, neuropsychology, and
clinical pharmacology. Residents will attend and participate in periodic
seminars, journal clubs, lectures, didactic courses, and meeting of local
and national neurological and neurodevelopmental societies. Residents will
be responsible, periodically, for the design and presentation of clinical
conferences.
Program Requirements:
Training in neurodevelopmental disabilities must be preceded
by the successful completion of at least 24 months of training in
a pediatric residency training program accredited by the ACGME. The
program director will review and approve the acceptability of these
initial years of training. This training should satisfy the requirements
essential for the board certification in pediatrics by the American
Board of Pediatrics or its equivalent.
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