The childhood period is essential in development. The first experiences multiply and the child acquires intellectual, motor, social or language skills. But sometimes, developmental gaps can be linked to a neurodevelopmental disorder, also known as TND. We find in particular Dys disorders, intellectual development disorders, or attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity.
These would affect one in six people. It is for this reason that “the president of the Republic, Emmanuel Macronand Fadila Khattabi, Minister responsible for the elderly and disabled people, hoped that the early identification is systematized‘”, can we read in the press release.
To help with its early identification, the interministerial delegation for neurodevelopmental disorders is publishing a new version of “Guide to spotting unusual developmental signs in children under 7 years old”. Intended for general practitioners and pediatricians, these new grids will be incorporated into the health booklet in spring 2024 for the paper version and at the end of the year for the digital version. They are presented during Early Childhood Week from March 16 to 23.
What changes in the new version of the guide to identifying neurodevelopmental disorders in children
Used since 2020, the first version of the “Guide to spotting unusual developmental signs in children under 7 years old” allowed to “identify more than 68,000 children” indicates the press release. This new version contains in particular identification grids developed based on scientific literature and existing tools and validated by the High Authority for Health (HAS).
One of the main new features is the age limit for using the different exam grids. Indeed, “the validity of the examination grids has no longer been specified based on a given age (6 months for example) but on a range of ages (6 to 11 months, 24 to 35 months, etc.)”, can we read in the press release. The aim is to allow “to remove any hesitation, or even confusion, about the grid to use”, among health professionals.
Among the new features, we find questions to better identify children with attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity, questions to identify a less severe autism spectrum disorder, or even questions with the aim of identify possible neuro-visual disorders (i.e. vision disorders of cerebral origin).
For healthcare professionals, modifications have been made to allow it to be used during a routine consultation. Moreover, “certain examinations requiring equipment which was not systematically present in general practitioners’ offices have been eliminated”, can we read in the press release.
Neurodevelopmental disorder in children: why early diagnosis is essential
If the doctor suspects neurodevelopmental disorder in children, it can “refer the child to a coordination and orientation platform (PCO) for a diagnostic course and early interventions, without any burden for the family”, can we read in the booklet.
It is particularly important to act as early as possible, because children’s brains are capable of evolving, adapting and reorganizing more effectively in the first three years, “Early interventions can improve the developmental trajectory of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.”
Source :
- New version of the “Guide to spotting unusual developmental signs in children under 7 years old”. Ministry of Labor, Health and Solidarity