This book assembles, for the first time, information required for the recognition, understanding, and treatment of behavioral problems resulting from neurological conditions. Its focus is two-pronged: 1) on conditions where cognitive-behavioral manifestations are major symptoms, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, and developmental language disorder; and 2) on conditions where these symptoms are significant but secondary, such as brain tumors, epilepsy, and AIDS.
This multi-authored guide also outlines effective approaches to behavioral therapy for these conditions. Pediatric Behavioral Neurology is an excellent resource for practitioners whose work demands knowledge of the symptoms, signs, and treatment of behavioral and cognitive disorders caused by brain abnormalities. It is comprehensive, yet concise and easy to use.

The advent of modern neurobiological methods over the last three decades has provided overwhelming evidence that it is the interaction of genetic factors and the experience of the individual that guides and supports brain development. Brains do not develop normally in the absence of critical genetic signaling, and they do not develop normally in the absence of essential environmental input. The key to understanding the origins and emergence of both the brain and behavior lies in understanding how inherited and environmental factors are engaged in the dynamic and interactive processes that define and direct development of the neurobehavioral system.
Neural Plasticity and Cognitive Development focuses on children who suffered focal brain insult (typically stroke) in the pre- or perinatal period which provides a model for exploring the dynamic nature of early brain and cognitive development. In most, though not all, of the cases considered, the injuries affect substantial portions of one cerebral hemisphere, resulting in patterns of neural damage that would compromise cognitive ability in adults. However, longitudinal behavioral studies of this population of children have revealed only mild cognitive deficits, and preliminary data from functional brain imaging studies suggest that alternative patterns of functional organization emerge in the wake of early injury. Neural Plasticity and Cognitive Development posits that the capacity for adaptation is not the result of early insult. Rather, it reflects normal developmental processes which are both dynamic and adaptive operating against a backdrop of serious perturbation of the neural substrate.

This book provides a detailed account of intellectual, other neuropsychological and behavioral manifestations of general pediatric diseases. The conditions discussed include the whole range of pediatric diseases - genetic syndromes, other congenital conditions, metabolic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, infectious, immunologic, toxic, trauma, and neoplastic, as well as sensory disabilities including deafness and blindness. Although the book is not intended to discuss cognitive and behavioral manifestations of conditions usually considered to be primary neurological disease, some of those, including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy and epilepsy, are included.
Where possible, a "translational" approach is used, linking the behavioral and cognitive manifestations of these conditions, to the underlying structural, chemical or genetic abnormalities and their effect on the brain, and, in turn, on behavior and cognition. At the same time, included are significant psychosocial factors. Together, those factors have a major effect on patients' performance, including school performance, and on their families.
This book is unique in its extensive coverage of the major pediatric conditions and of the detailed neurological, neuropsychological and behavioral aspects of each condition.