ABPN NDD study plan
ABPN NDD · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
General Neurology and Neuroscience Foundations
Map the major neuroanatomic systems and their clinical correlates into a single annotated outline
Differentiate upper vs lower motor neuron lesion findings by working through 15 constructed vignettes
Explain the physiology of the action potential and synaptic transmission well enough to predict effects of channel and neurotransmitter disruption
List the vascular territories of the brain and match each to a classic clinical syndrome from memory
Your checkpoint
A one-page neuroanatomic correlation summary plus a 15-item self-written vignette set with answer rationales
General Neurology and Neuroscience Foundations
Compare neuroimaging modalities by resolution, indication, and pediatric-specific considerations
Interpret basic EEG patterns and distinguish normal variants from epileptiform activity
Describe neuropathologic correlates of major neurodegenerative and developmental conditions
Sequence the steps of a neurologic history and exam and identify which findings localize to which level of the neuraxis
Your checkpoint
A 20-question self-quiz on localization and neurodiagnostics scored to 80% or better, with a written error log
Normal and Abnormal Development of the Nervous System
Sequence the stages of neural tube formation, neuronal migration, and myelination with their timing windows
Predict the developmental consequences of disruption at each stage of cortical organization
Compare normal and abnormal motor, language, and social milestones across the first five years
Identify teratogenic and genetic exposures linked to specific malformation patterns
Your checkpoint
A developmental timeline table linking each embryologic stage to a representative malformation and its clinical presentation
Normal and Abnormal Development of the Nervous System & Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Diagnosis and Clinical Assessment
Contrast the defining features of intellectual disability, global developmental delay, and specific learning disorder
Apply DSM-5-TR severity specifiers to constructed pediatric cases
Distinguish autism spectrum disorder from social communication disorder and from typical variation
Choose appropriate screening and diagnostic instruments for a given developmental concern and justify the choice
Your checkpoint
Three fully written case formulations with differential diagnoses, severity specifiers, and instrument selection rationale
Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Diagnosis and Clinical Assessment
Differentiate ADHD presentations and apply diagnostic criteria to ambiguous cases
Distinguish tic disorders, stereotypies, and other hyperkinetic movement presentations
Interpret cognitive and achievement testing profiles to identify patterns consistent with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia
Integrate developmental history, school data, and rating scales into a defensible diagnostic impression
Your checkpoint
A scored practice block of 40 diagnostic-criteria questions with a written differential for every missed item
Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Diagnosis and Clinical Assessment
Differentiate the neurodevelopmental disorders from anxiety, mood, trauma-related, and psychotic conditions in children
Identify medical mimics of developmental regression and when to pursue metabolic or genetic workup
Assess for co-occurring conditions and describe how comorbidity alters diagnostic thresholds
Write a structured feedback conversation plan for delivering a new diagnosis to a family
Your checkpoint
A differential-diagnosis decision aid covering at least eight mimics and comorbid conditions, plus a written family feedback script
Treatment, Management, and Systems of Care in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Compare first-line pharmacologic options for ADHD and autism-associated irritability by mechanism, monitoring, and adverse effects
Describe behavioral, educational, and habilitative interventions and match them to target symptoms
Outline the components of an individualized education program and the clinician's role in advocacy
Identify systems-of-care barriers and care-coordination pathways for underserved pediatric populations
Your checkpoint
A treatment-matching grid pairing target symptom to first-line and adjunct intervention with monitoring parameters
Treatment, Management, and Systems of Care in Neurodevelopmental Disorders & General Neurology and Neuroscience Foundations & Normal and Abnormal Development of the Nervous System & Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Diagnosis and Clinical Assessment
Synthesize management plans for complex cases requiring combined pharmacologic and behavioral approaches
Rehearse foundational neuroscience and developmental content through spaced retrieval
Complete a timed mixed-domain practice examination under test-like conditions
Analyze all missed items by domain and root cause to target final review
Your checkpoint
A timed 100-question mixed-domain practice exam with a domain-by-domain error analysis and a prioritized final-week review list
Milestones
Week 2: Score 80% or higher on the self-written localization and neurodiagnostics quiz, with every error logged by root cause
Week 4: Complete three case formulations that correctly assign diagnosis, severity specifier, and assessment instrument, confirmed by self-scoring against DSM-5-TR criteria
Week 6: Produce a differential decision aid covering at least eight mimics and comorbidities and pass a self-administered 20-item differential quiz at 85%
Week 8: Complete the timed 100-question mixed-domain exam with a written error analysis showing at least 70% overall and no domain below 60%