Cited by 903Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchAttention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Neurodevelopmental disorders

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Thapar, Anita, Cooper, Miriam, Rutter, Michael·2017·The Lancet Psychiatry

Abstract

Neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder, although most commonly considered in childhood, can be lifelong conditions. In this Personal View that is shaped by clinical experience and research, we adopt a conceptual approach. First, we discuss what disorders are neurodevelopmental and why such a grouping is useful. We conclude that both distinction and grouping are helpful and that it is important to take into account the strong overlap across neurodevelopmental disorders. Then we highlight some challenges in bridging research and clinical practice. We discuss the complexity of clinical phenotypes and the importance of the social context. We also argue the importance of viewing neurodevelopmental disorders as traits but highlight that this is not the only approach to use. Finally, we consider developmental change across the life-span. Overall, we argue strongly for a flexible approach in clinical practice that takes into consideration the high level of heterogeneity and overlap in neurodevelopmental disorders and for research to link more closely to what is observed in real-life practice.

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Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Weisz JR, Ng MY, Lau N. Psychological interventions: Overview and critical issues for the field. In: Thapar A, Pine DS, Leckman JF, Scott S, Snowling MJ, Taylor EA, eds. Rutter's Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Sixth Edition, 6th edn. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2015: 461-82.
  2. Scott S. Oppositional and Conduct Disorders. In: Thapar A, Pine DS, Leckman JF, Scott S, Snowling M, Taylor E, eds. Rutter's Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 6th edn. Oxford: John Wiley & Sons Limited, 2015: 913-30.
  3. Simonoff E, Taylor E, Baird G, et al. Randomized controlled double-blind trial of optimal dose methylphenidate in children and adolescents with severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and intellectual disability. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2013; 54: 527-35.
  4. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders, 4th edition. Washington, 1994.
  5. Magiati I, Tay XW, Howlin P. Cognitive, language, social and behavioural outcomes in adults with autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review of longitudinal follow-up studies in adulthood. Clin Psychol Rev 2014; 34: 73-86.
  6. Thapar A, Rutter M. Using natural experiments and animal models to study causal hypotheses in relation to child mental health problems. In: Thapar A, Pine DS, Leckman JF, Scott S, Snowling M, Tay, eds. Rutter's Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 6th edn. Oxford: John Wiley and Sons Limited, 2015: 145-62.

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Authors
Thapar, A., Cooper, M., & Rutter, M.
Affiliations
  • Cardiff University (GB)
  • King's College London (GB)
Corresponding author
Thapar, Anita
Venue
The Lancet Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-04
Volume
4
Issue
4
Pages
339-346
ISSN
2215-0366 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4210589768
Cited by
903
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 141 · 2025: 172 · 2024: 150 · 2023: 116 · 2022: 98 · 2021: 91 · 2020: 73 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1
FWCI
2.15
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Lancet Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (acceptedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust
  • Medical Research Council (MR/L010305/1, MR/M012964/1)
  • Economic and Social Research Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Keywords
neurodevelopmental disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, classification of disorders, diagnostic overlap, clinical phenotype, social environment, lifespan development, heterogeneity, research-practice gap
MeSH terms
Affect, Child, Developmental Disabilities, Cognition, Humans, Neurodevelopmental Disorders

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