A developmental neuropsychological model is presented to address critical factors critical to the functional outcome in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In the model, which is derived from work at the Boston Children's Hospital Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) program, neuropsychological outcomes are determined by an interaction between various potential contributing risk factors and the timing of the central nervous system (CNS) disease process and treatments. The model incorporates these factors in a framework with particular emphasis on the differential impact of the disease process relative to the child's stage of brain development. CNS manifestations early in brain development result in more global neuropsychological effects due to a less differentiated state of neurological and neuropsychological development, while later manifestations result in relatively more specific and subtle effects. A better understanding of the neuropsychological profiles of children with AIDS has implications for development of specific and appropriate cognitive and academic interventions. Includes 15 references. (JDD)