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When available, the Information for Applicants publication is located on the Information for Applicants page.
When available, the application for examination is located on the Applications page.
A. History and Statement of Principles
The ABPN and the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP), in concurrence with the ABMS, established a joint Committee on Certification in the Subspecialty of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in March 1999. This was done to officially establish the field of neurodevelopmental disabilities as a definite area of joint subspecialization in neurology with special qualification in child neurology and in pediatrics and to provide a means of identifying properly trained and experienced neurodevelopmental disabilities subspecialists.
The actual mechanics of certification of qualified candidates have been delegated by the Boards to the Committee, which operates under the supervision of and in accordance with the policies of the Boards.
B. Specific Requirements During the “Grandfathering Period” (Through 2007)
Please Note: This is a brief summary of training requirements and not intended to be all inclusive. Read the current Information for Applicants publication for all requirements for Initial Certification in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.
Before submitting an application for certification in neurodevelopmental disabilities, an applicant must be certified by the Board in neurology with special qualification in child neurology. All applicants must submit documentation of fulfilling one of the three sets of temporary requirements, as follows:
1. Satisfactory completion of 24 months of formal training in neurodevelopmental disabilities acceptable for subspecialization in neurodevelopmental disabilities.
2. Satisfactory completion of 12 months of formal training in neurodevelopmental disabilities and 50% of practice time devoted to neurodevelopmental disabilities for the previous two and one-half years.
3. Fifty percent of practice time devoted to neurodevelopmental disabilities for the previous five years.
The specialized training in neurodevelopmental disabilities may be completed on a part-time basis as long as it is not less than half time; credit is not given for periods of training lasting less than one year except under special circumstances that must be approved by the ABPN Credentials Committee. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide detailed documentation from the respective training directors outlining training content, duties, and responsibilities. Each case is considered on an individual basis.
C. Specific Requirements After 2007
Please Note: This is a brief summary of training requirements and not intended to be all inclusive. Read the current Information for Applicants publication for all requirements for Initial Certification in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.
Before submitting an application for certification in neurodevelopmental disabilities, an applicant must be certified by the ABPN in neurology with special qualification in child neurology and by the American Board of Pediatrics.
After the 2007 examination, all applicants other than those initially admitted during the “grandfathering period” will be required to submit documentation of successful completion of the following residency training, all of which must be completed in residency programs accredited by the ACGME.
1. Twenty-four months of ACGME-accredited training in general pediatrics consisting of the PL-1 and PL-2 residency years, including some supervisory experience during the PL-2 year.
2. Forty-eight months of combined training in neurology and neurodevelopmental disabilities in a single program accredited by the ACGME.
Residency training may be completed on a part-time basis as long as it is not less than half time; credit is not given for periods of training lasting less than one year except under special circumstances that must be approved by the ABPN Credentials Committee. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide detailed documentation from the respective training directors outlining training content, duties, and responsibilities. Each case is considered on an individual basis.
Applicants completing the above requirements may apply to sit for examination for certification in three areas: pediatrics, neurology with special qualification in child neurology, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. The ABPN issues the certificate in neurology with special qualification in child neurology, the ABP issues the certificate in pediatrics, and the two boards jointly issue the certificate in neurodevelopmental disabilities.
D. Examination Content
This 200-item, multiple-choice examination is administered by computer for four hours. Candidates are assessed in the following:
• Neurodevelopmental theory
• Neurogenetics
• Cognitive disorders (for example, mental retardation and learning disabilities)
• Communication disorders (for example, autistic disorder and developmental language disorders)
• Neurobehavioral disorders (for example, attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, Tourette disorder)
• Motor disabilities (for example, static and progressive encephalopathies, cerebral palsy, neuromuscular disorders, and minor neuromotor dysfunction)
• Visual and auditory impairments
• Neurodevelopmental disorders associated with major medical conditions (for example, spina bifida, severely and profoundly disabled, low birth weight infants, and multiple congenital anomalies)
• Rehabilitation (for example, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and near drowning)
• Counseling, advocacy, and ethics, including research ethics
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