Challenging the use of adult neuropsychological models for explaining neurodevelopmental disorders: Developed versus developing brains: The 40th Sir Frederick Bartlett Lecture. Issue 1 (January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karmiloff-Smith, Annette
• Is Part Of: Quarterly journal of experimental psychology. Volume 66:Issue 1(2013)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2013-01
• Subjects: Adult neuropsychology -- Infant development -- Genetic disorders -- Neuroconstructivism; Psychology, Experimental -- Periodicals; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Psychology, Comparative -- Periodicals; 150.72405
• DOI: 10.1080/17470218.2012.744424
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-0218

Abstract

In this paper, I contrast approaches from adult neuropsychology that seek selective, domain-specific deficits with approaches aimed at understanding the dynamics of developmental trajectories in children with genetic disorders. I stress the crucial difference between develop ed brains damaged in their mature state, and atypically develop ing brains. I also challenge the search for single genes to explain selective cognitive-level outcomes. Throughout, the paper argues that it is critical to trace cognitive-level deficits back to their basic-level processes in infancy, where genes are likely to exert their early influences, if we are to understand both the impairments and proficiencies displayed in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.