About Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Residency training
A Comprehensive Residency Training Program Incorporating
Pediatrics, Child Neurology, and Allied Fields (Genetics, Physiatry, Psychiatry).
The Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Residency Program was developed
by the joint efforts of the American Board of Pediatrics and the American
Board of Psychiatry and Neurology to provide a truly interdisciplinary
and comprehensive program for training in Neurodevelopmental Disabilties.
In 1999, The American Board of Medical Specialties recognized the new
subspecialty of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. The first subspecialty
examinations were given in 2001. This subspecialty provides specialized
training for those interested in academic or clinical careers in the
evaluation and management of children with a wide variety of neurodevelopmental
disorders. It also provides opportunities for the development of a research
interest that furthers knowledge of these disorders and their treatment.
A residency in neurodevelopmental disabilities expands on those elements
of pediatrics and child neurology that most closely focus on the diagnosis
and treatment of disorders of the developing nervous system. What we
have learned about the brain in the past two decades, particularly on
the genetic level, is revolutionizing the evaluation and management of
children with developmental disorders such as autism, cerebral palsy,
mental retardation, and learning and language disorders. The specialty
links exciting new developments in molecular genetics, neuroimaging,
and electrophysiology with the traditional pediatric and neurological
assessments of the development of motors skills, sensory awareness, cognition,
language, and socialization in children.
The NDD residency involves rigorous six-year residency program that
combines pediatric and neurological training in the relevant basic sciences
with supervised clinical training in the diagnosis and care of children
with neurodevelopmental disorders. Upon completion of the residency,
the graduate will be eligible for certification in Pediatrics, Neurology
with Special Competence in Child Neurology, and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.
Developed by the join efforts of the American Board of Pediatrics and
the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, this program marks a
milestone in the development of advanced training programs for management
of children with developmental disabilities.
The Four Year Curriculum follows successful completion of two
core years of Pediatrics in an ACGME approved training program.
a) One year of adult neurology: The purpose of this experience is
to develop knowledge of the cardinal manifestation of neurological
disease. Trainees will learn anatomic localization within the nervous
system and apply the analytic and synthetic approaches associated with
diagnosis and management of neurologic disorders. This component will
include care for adults with chronic neurodevelopmental disabilities.
b) Eighteen months of clinical child neurology and neurodevelopmental
disabilities: The purpose of this rotation is to develop neurodiagnostics
skills in children and approaches to management of brain disorders
of childhood. This component will include clinical training in the
neurodevelopmental disabilities as well as training in the interdisciplinary
team approaches to children with these disorders.
c) Eighteen months of clinical and basic science: The purpose of this
training component is to develop a braod background in clinical and
basic neurosciences. Trainees will also cultivate the skills necessary
for academic viability: research, teaching, and administrative. This
component will include at least one-month experience in each of the
following: child and adolescent psychiatry, neurosurgery, and neurorehabilitation.
The resident will also gain significant clinical experience with behavorial
neurology, neurogenetics/metabolism, neuromuscular disorders, neuro-oncology,
and neuro-ophthalmology. Research training and experiences will be
included during this component.
Didactic Components:
- Residents will obtain a sufficient background in those basic sciences
upon which child neurology and neurodevelopment are founded, including
neuroanatomy, neuroembryology, neurodevelopment, neuropathology, basic
neurophysiology, neuroimaging, neuropsychology, neurochemistry, neuropharmacology,
molecular biology, genetics, neuroimmunology, epidemiology and biostatistics.
- Residents will learn principles of evaluation, diagnosis, and management
of neurological disorders.
- Specialty Content:
a) Residents will learn the fundamentals of specific
diagnostics and management strategies of the major neurodevelopmental
disabilities including, but not limited to, cognitive disorders
(metal retardation, learning disabilities, progressive encephalopathies),
communication disorders, neurobehavioral disorders (autistic spectrum
disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder), motor disabilities
(cerebral palsy, spina bifida, neuromuscular and other neuromotor
disorders, movement and tic disorders), special sensory disorders
(visual and auditory), and multiple disabilities.
b) Residents will learn the appropriate instruments for neuropsychological
assessment and understand how to apply developmental measurements and scales.
c) Residents will become familiar with anticipatory guidance and counseling
of families with children who have developmental disabilities.
d) Residents will learn strategies for pharmacological and non-pharmacological
management of self-injurious and other troublesome behaviors.
e) Residents will learn the skills for the management of abnormal tone
and movement disorders. This will include some training in the technical
skills needed to manage such patients.
f) Residents will learn how to secure, organize, and manage patient resources
and treatment.
- Bioethics, Economics and End of Life Content: Residents will receive
instruction in the bioethics and economics of medicine, particularly
as they apply to individuals with chronic disabling conditions. The
resident will also receive instruction in appropriate and compassionate
methods of end-of-life palliative care.
- Conferences: Residents will regularly attend conferences in the following
disciplines: child neurology, neurorehabilitation, neuropsychology,
and clinical pharmacology. Residents will attend and participate in
periodic seminars, journal clubs, lectures, didactic courses, and meeting
of local and national neurological and neurodevelopmental societies.
Residents will be responsible, periodically, for the design and presentation
of clinical conferences.
Program Requirements:
Training in neurodevelopmental disabilities must be preceded
by the successful completion of at least 24 months of training in a
pediatric residency training program accredited by the ACGME. The program
director will review and approve the acceptability of these initial
years of training. This training should satisfy the requirements essential
for the board certification in pediatrics by the American Board of
Pediatrics or its equivalent.
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