Neurodevelopmental disorders in children

Autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are the two main classes of neurodevelopmental disorders that begin in early childhood. These disorders are prevalent, highly debilitating, have unclear biological underpinnings, and place a high level of stress, burden, and cost on families, schools, and society. There has been an increase in the number of individuals diagnosed with autism and ADHD over the last decade, perhaps due to improved assessment processes.