What Are Neurobehavioral Disorders?

Neurobehavioral disorders are a group of conditions associated with brain injury and impairment. Learn more about them.

January 17, 2025 · 8 min · 1621 words · Dustin Wise

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Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are Neurobehavioral Disorders?SymptomsDiagnosisCausesTypesTreatmentCoping

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Table of Contents

What Are Neurobehavioral Disorders?

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Types

Treatment

Coping

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Neurobehavioral disorders are a group of conditions associated with brain impairments, injuries, or diseases such as dementia ormultiple sclerosis.ADHD, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Tourette’s Syndrome are considered neurobehavioral disorders.

In some instances, these disorders overlap. For example, this means that a child with one disorder, let’s say autism, could also be diagnosed with another neurobehavioral condition such as Tourette’s syndrome.

Neurobehavioral disorders affect one’s behavior, emotions, and learning processes. This group of disorders is sometimes referred to as neurodevelopmental disorders, and both terms could be used interchangeably.

Symptoms of Neurobehavioral Disorders

There are several types of neurobehavioral disorders, and the symptoms of each of the conditions can vary. However, if you suspect that your child is suffering from a kind of neurobehavioral disorder as a result of a brain injury orillness, here are some general early symptoms to look out for:

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you take your child to visit a doctor to get a proper diagnosis immediately. If you suspect that you, your child, or someone you know is living with a neurobehavioral condition, consult with a neurologist as soon as you can.

Diagnosing Neurobehavioral Disorders

While neurobehavioral disorders can primarily be associated with brain injury or illness, each one is unique. Additionally, theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)outlines the criteria for each disorder.

To be diagnosed with a neurobehavioral disorder, you must first consult with a neurologist or neuropsychiatrist. They’ll take a detailed look into your medical history and what symptoms you’ve been displaying.

Causes of Neurobehavioral Disorders

Some environmental risk factors that have been associated with the development of neurobehavioral disorders include the use of alcohol or drugs during pregnancy, childhood exposure to toxic materials, being born prematurely, and even low socioeconomic status.

A 2016 study shows a clear link between alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the development of neurobehavioral disorders. Some researchers propose that neurobehavioral disorders associated with prenatal alcohol exposure should be classified as a mental health diagnosis on its own.

Types of Neurobehavioral Disorders

There are several types of neurobehavioral disorders in the world today. A great deal of research has been and is still being conducted to gain better insight into these disorders.

Some of the most common, as of today, are discussed below.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The three major signs of ADHD include:

ADHD in Children: Symptoms and Treatment

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

ASD is a group of developmental and behavioral conditions which primarily affect social behavior and communication. As of 2020, 1 in 54 children in the United States has been diagnosed with autism.

ASD affects each individual with the conditionin different ways. While some people might only experience mild symptoms, others might experience severe symptoms that interfere with their daily functioning.

Some common symptoms of ASD include:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is a neurobehavioral disorderthat typically begins in childhood but often goes undiagnosed until adulthood. It is a condition that causes a person to have recurrent and frequent obsessions and compulsions in response to these obsessions to help ease their distress.

Obsessions are typically intrusive thoughts or urges. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that people with OCD do to relieve distress.

Boys are more likely to develop OCD in childhood than girls. Girls tend to develop OCD in adolescence or adulthood. It’s not clear what causes OCD, as with many other neurobehavioral disorders.

A study conducted in 2018 shows that certain infections such as strep throat in childhood could trigger OCD; however, more research needs to be undertaken in this area.

Tourette Syndrome (TS)

Tourette syndrome(also referred to simply as Tourette’s) is a neurological condition that causes a person with the disorder to make sudden and repeated movements and sounds. These are called tics.

Physical and vocal tics are the main symptoms of the condition; these tics can make an appearance in children as young as two and persist into teenagehood.With the proper treatment and care, the tics will eventually improve and, in some instances, even go away completely.

While there is currently no cure for the condition, the proper treatment can make it manageable. Tourette’s syndrome might sometimes co-occur with other neurobehavioral disorders like OCD and ADHD.

The Link Between Tic Disorders and ADHD

Treatment for Neurobehavioral Disorders

Treatment for neurobehavioral disorders is multi-faceted. It typically depends on the particular condition being treated. Also, treatment might not even be the same for two people who have the same neurobehavioral disorder. However, treatment is generally made up of a combination of medication, therapy, and special education services.

Before starting treatment, a neurologist or neuropsychologist will first assess the disorder and the severity of your symptoms. A series of interviews and tests may be conducted to better understand how the neurobehavioral disorder affects you specifically.

Coping With Neurobehavioral Disorders

Neurobehavioral disorders can be challenging, especially for the family and loved ones of people living with these conditions.

It’s crucial for the families of people with any of these conditions to support them. This can be done through joining support groups, participating in joint psychological interventions, and emotionally supporting them from diagnosis through recovery.

Research shows that family intervention can be effective in relieving some symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Neurodiversity and What It Means to Be Neurodiverse

12 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Melillo R, Leisman G.Signs and symptoms of neurobehavioral disorders of childhood.In: Melillo R, Leisman G, eds.Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood: An Evolutionary Perspective. Springer US; 2010:177-241.America’s Children and the Environment.Neurodevelopmental disorders. October 2015America’s Children and the Environment.Neurodevelopmental Disorders. October 2015Hagan JF, Balachova T, Bertrand J, et al.Neurobehavioral disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.Pediatrics. 2016;138(4).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics about ADHD. September 23, 2021Centers for Disease and Prevention.Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD.September 23, 2021National Institute of Mental Health.Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).National Institute of Mental Health.Autism Spectrum Disorder. March 2018Lewin AB, Storch EA, Geffken GR, Goodman WK, Murphy TK.A neuropsychiatric review of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: etiology and efficacious treatments.Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.2006;2(1):21-31.Vogel L.Growing consensus on link between strep and obsessive–compulsive disorder.CMAJ. 2018;190(3):E86-E87.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet. April 2021Dykens EM.Family adjustment and interventions in neurodevelopmental disorders.Current Opinion in Psychiatry.2015;28(2):121-126.

12 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Melillo R, Leisman G.Signs and symptoms of neurobehavioral disorders of childhood.In: Melillo R, Leisman G, eds.Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood: An Evolutionary Perspective. Springer US; 2010:177-241.America’s Children and the Environment.Neurodevelopmental disorders. October 2015America’s Children and the Environment.Neurodevelopmental Disorders. October 2015Hagan JF, Balachova T, Bertrand J, et al.Neurobehavioral disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.Pediatrics. 2016;138(4).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics about ADHD. September 23, 2021Centers for Disease and Prevention.Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD.September 23, 2021National Institute of Mental Health.Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).National Institute of Mental Health.Autism Spectrum Disorder. March 2018Lewin AB, Storch EA, Geffken GR, Goodman WK, Murphy TK.A neuropsychiatric review of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: etiology and efficacious treatments.Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.2006;2(1):21-31.Vogel L.Growing consensus on link between strep and obsessive–compulsive disorder.CMAJ. 2018;190(3):E86-E87.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet. April 2021Dykens EM.Family adjustment and interventions in neurodevelopmental disorders.Current Opinion in Psychiatry.2015;28(2):121-126.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Melillo R, Leisman G.Signs and symptoms of neurobehavioral disorders of childhood.In: Melillo R, Leisman G, eds.Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood: An Evolutionary Perspective. Springer US; 2010:177-241.America’s Children and the Environment.Neurodevelopmental disorders. October 2015America’s Children and the Environment.Neurodevelopmental Disorders. October 2015Hagan JF, Balachova T, Bertrand J, et al.Neurobehavioral disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.Pediatrics. 2016;138(4).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics about ADHD. September 23, 2021Centers for Disease and Prevention.Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD.September 23, 2021National Institute of Mental Health.Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).National Institute of Mental Health.Autism Spectrum Disorder. March 2018Lewin AB, Storch EA, Geffken GR, Goodman WK, Murphy TK.A neuropsychiatric review of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: etiology and efficacious treatments.Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.2006;2(1):21-31.Vogel L.Growing consensus on link between strep and obsessive–compulsive disorder.CMAJ. 2018;190(3):E86-E87.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet. April 2021Dykens EM.Family adjustment and interventions in neurodevelopmental disorders.Current Opinion in Psychiatry.2015;28(2):121-126.

Melillo R, Leisman G.Signs and symptoms of neurobehavioral disorders of childhood.In: Melillo R, Leisman G, eds.Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood: An Evolutionary Perspective. Springer US; 2010:177-241.

America’s Children and the Environment.Neurodevelopmental disorders. October 2015

America’s Children and the Environment.Neurodevelopmental Disorders. October 2015

Hagan JF, Balachova T, Bertrand J, et al.Neurobehavioral disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.Pediatrics. 2016;138(4).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics about ADHD. September 23, 2021

Centers for Disease and Prevention.Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD.September 23, 2021

National Institute of Mental Health.Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

National Institute of Mental Health.Autism Spectrum Disorder. March 2018

Lewin AB, Storch EA, Geffken GR, Goodman WK, Murphy TK.A neuropsychiatric review of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: etiology and efficacious treatments.Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.2006;2(1):21-31.

Vogel L.Growing consensus on link between strep and obsessive–compulsive disorder.CMAJ. 2018;190(3):E86-E87.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet. April 2021

Dykens EM.Family adjustment and interventions in neurodevelopmental disorders.Current Opinion in Psychiatry.2015;28(2):121-126.

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