Introduction
Neurodevelopmental paediatrics is a relatively new field, and paediatricians and parents both are now beginning to see neurodiversity as diversity, not a handicap or a learning difficulty, although the latter may be seen in neurodiverse children. On this site, I aim to demystify neurodiversity in children, post my own reflections and talk about my experiences with neurodiverse children and their families.
Interesting Cases
Among the usual flow of SACC follow up cases, saw some interesting cases recently.
A child with Glutaric Aciduria type 1, with muscle weakness … and a very domineering mother, who seemed determined to keep her daughter dependent on her.
A child who has a sibling with muscle dystrophy, and shows signs of similar weakness. The family’s GP seems to be unhelpful … or overworked.
A young boy with neurofibromatosis and precocious puberty. He lives with a foster carer, as he also has ADHD and learning difficulties, and a history of self-harm … his mother felt unable to care for him along with her other child/children, so he has been in care for the last two years, and will be for the foreseeable future.
A child with an unusual constellation of anomalies … unequal size and shaped ears with hearing loss, a dysplastic kidney, unilateral facial palsy and unequal limb length. Normal intelligence and cognition … which makes it difficult for her as she gets teased by children at school for her visible deformities. Children can be so cruel.