Down syndrome is one of the leading causes of intellectual disability, and individuals with Down syndrome experience various health issues including learning and memory deficits, congenital heart diseases, Alzheimer's or other dementias, leukemia, cancers, and Hirschsprung disease. School psychologists have a vital role in the success of students…

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a group of disorders directly caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. This spectrum of disorders cause neurodevelopmental, neurobehavioral, and mental health effects. The consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure are permanent, leaving children and adults with behavioral and learning difficulties throughout…

Due to the increased risks of neurocognitive impairment when a child is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) at an early age, early identification and assessment are critical. A study by Nadebaum et al. (2012) found that cognition is impaired in a significant number of children at the time of diagnosis, and those who are initially impaired show a…

Many school psychologists will work with a student with a medical condition in their careers, and information on the student's condition is crucial to understanding their individual needs. One type of medical condition that a school psychologist may encounter is childhood-onset autoimmune disease, such as pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus…

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurogenetic disorder that is characterized by myriad genetic, physical, and behavioral abnormalities (Buiting et al., 2016; Thibert et al., 2013; Wheeler et al., 2017). Due to complex developmental delays and intellectual disability associated with AS, including gross/fine motor delays, lack of speech, and…

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare, but serious, metabolic disease that can cause a variety of neurological, psychological, and academic complications. Fortunately, many individuals with PKU who are identified and treated early can go on to live a relatively normal life. However, PKU does continue to present with a variety of complex underlying…

Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term for a neurodevelopmental disorder with a wide variety of motor impairment or motor control problems (Bourke-Taylor et al., 2018). CP is classified by body regions affected (hemi-, dis-, and quad-) and by the type of movement impairment (spastic, dyskinetic, and ataxic). Many cases can be classified as mixed…

Lead is a naturally occurring element that is extremely toxic to human beings. When children inadvertently ingest lead, their bodies confuse it with calcium, iron, and other nutritional essential metals, causing toxicity. School psychologists more than ever are in perfect positions, with the proper training, to possibly identify children who are…

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a common genetic disorder that can cause a vast array of health conditions. Characteristics of NS include specific facial features as well as a higher chance of developing congenital heart disease, failure to thrive, and vision abnormalities. These deficits may manifest as behavioral and emotional difficulties, leaving…

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is a rare genetic disorder that affects the development of bones and tissues of the face and is characterized by deformities of the ears, eyes, cheekbones, and chin. The signs and symptoms of TCS vary greatly, ranging from unnoticeable to very severe manifestations and malformations. This article provides a history…

Tourette's disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects many school-age children and adolescents across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2019), one in every 160 school-age children in the United States has Tourette's disorder. School psychologists are called to work with these students…

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system through the destruction of myelin. Frequently cited symptoms include cognitive impairment as a hallmark repercussion, neuropsychological executive dysfunction, and psychosocial disturbances, such as affective disorders and fatigue. Other symptomatology…

Spina bifida (SB) refers to a subgroup of congenital defects where the neural tube fails to fuse, often resulting in a protruding spinal cord. This is often due to a defect or absence of vertebral arches resulting from a failure of the mesoderm to organize over the region of the defect. SB occurs during gestation between the third and sixth week…

Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children and adolescents under the age of 19 (Mullin, 2018); but, due to scientific research and treatment advancements, there is an approximately 80% chance of survival from leukemia (Castillo, 2008). Most children receive a diagnosis of leukemia between the ages of 2 and 7 years old. The peak age of…

Epilepsy represents a common neuropsychological disorder in children, which presents a myriad of cognitive, neuropsychological, social, emotional, behavioral, and learning problems. School psychologists are in a unique position to provide psychoeducation, assessment, intervention, and general supports for students with epilepsy and their families.…