[Behavioral and developmental manifestations: disorders or normal variations?].

Abstract

Most developmental and behavioural disturbances paediatricians are faced with are not due to organic lesions of the central nervous system. They occur at a distinct age and are of limited duration, reflecting a strong maturational nature. The disturbances can be related to the following three factors. (1) Extreme behaviour within normal variability; the variant may consist of an extreme manifestation of a certain behaviour (e.g. excessive crying during the first 3 months of life) or of a maturational delay (e.g. primary nocturnal enuresis). (2) Lack of fit between child and environment (e. g. a child sleeps less than his/her parents expect). (3) Impaired psychic and/or somatic well-being of the child (e. g. following the loss of one parent). Since any one developmental and behavioural disturbances may be caused by different endogenous and exogenous factors, careful investigation is required to determine what appropriate educational, medical and social measures are appropriate.