Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Residency

Neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) is a pediatric medical subspecialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric patients with:

• Cognitive developmental disabilities (e.g., autism, intellectual disability and learning disabilities)
• Metabolic and genetic conditions (e.g., Trisomy 21, Fragile X and mitochondrial diseases)
• Common nervous system (CNS) conditions (e.g., epilepsy, cerebral palsy)
• Nerve and muscle disorders (e.g., muscular dystrophy, neuropathies)

We are a unique specialty in that we are trained to evaluate and treat children incorporating a multidisciplinary perspective (e.g. medical, social, behavioral, neuroscience) and collaborate with other professionals such as therapists, rehabilitation specialists, educators and the community. We understand neurodevelopmental disabilities from a lifespan model and residency training includes pediatric and adult medicine training.

Differences Between the NDD Residency and Child Neurology Fellowship

• NDD training focuses on longitudinal care of both children and adults with disabilities
• Child Neurology training gives some experience with behavioral and developmental assessment/treatment, but NDD training gives fellowship-level expertise in these valued skills
• NDD offers greater emphasis on working with a therapeutic team and understanding community resources and gives more training in advocacy and team leadership
• NDD offers a strong interaction with therapists and teachers, which gives a physician a solid knowledge of the workings of the therapy team that is key to the treatment for individuals with disabilities
• NDD training offers more protected research time in order to develop academic leaders

Board certification also differs between NDD and Child Neurology. Completion of NDD training allows you to be board eligible for three boards:

• Pediatrics (American Board of Pediatrics)
• Neurology with special qualification in child neurology (American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology)
• Neurodevelopmental disabilities (American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology)

Child neurology allows dual certification in pediatrics and neurology.