NEUROBEHAVIORAL MARKERS FOR EARLY REGULATORY DISORDERS

Measures of developmental delay alone do not provide complete informat ion regarding possible early developmental difficulties. In addition t o or rather than delay, some children may evidence atypical or qualita tively different behaviors that can thwart development. Neurobehaviora l assessment provides appraisal of the kinds and extent of atypical be haviors that may signal present or future developmental complications amenable to early intervention. Infants and children exposed to drugs, head trauma, or other sources of neurologic compromise may especially evidence atypical behavior in self-regulation. Difficulties In such a reas as consolability, attention, sleep and eating routines, impulsivi ty, and excessive staring may be markers for more extensive developmen tal problems. This article provides a rationale for neurobehavioral as sessment and includes a description of research and development of a n ew instrument, Neurobehavioral Indicators of Atypical Development (NIA D), that is designed to assist in early intervention screening and dia gnosis.