Code Attributes

• Billable/Specific Code

Applicable To

• Developmental disorder NOS
• Neurodevelopmental disorder NOS

Approximate Synonyms

• Developmental disorder
• Developmental neurologic disorder
• Gen neurologic/dev delay

Clinical Information

• A disorder diagnosed in childhood that is marked by either physical or mental impairment or both, which in turn affects the child from achieving age related developmental milestones.
• As encompassed in federal legislation for educational assistance to handicapped children, includes disabilities originating before age 18 that constitute substantial barriers to normal functioning. Use a more specific term if possible.
• Developmental disabilities are birth defects that cause lifelong problems with how a body part or system works. They include nervous system disabilities affecting how the brain, spinal cord and nervous system function. They cause mental retardation, including down syndrome and fragile x syndrome. They also cause learning and behavioral disorders, such as autism sensory-related disabilities, which can cause vision, hearing and sight problems metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria, which affect how your body processes the materials it needs to function degenerative disorders such as rett syndrome, which might only become apparent when children are older and can cause physical and mental problemsmost developmental disabilities have no cure, but you can often treat the symptoms. Physical, speech and occupational therapy might help. Special education classes and psychological counseling can also help. nih: national institute of child health and human development
• nervous system disabilities affecting how the brain, spinal cord and nervous system function. They cause mental retardation, including down syndrome and fragile x syndrome. They also cause learning and behavioral disorders, such as autism
• sensory-related disabilities, which can cause vision, hearing and sight problems
• metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria, which affect how your body processes the materials it needs to function
• degenerative disorders such as rett syndrome, which might only become apparent when children are older and can cause physical and mental problems
• Disorders in which there is a delay in development based on that expected for a given age level or stage of development. These impairments or disabilities originate before age 18, may be expected to continue indefinitely, and constitute a substantial impairment. Biological and nonbiological factors are involved in these disorders. (from american psychiatric glossary, 6th ed)