This text provides an interesting and informative account of the child's journey from the womb to the world outside, through childhood and into adolescence. It is based on the belief that it is vital for those training to work with children who have problems to understand what is typical or atypical in children's development.
The first half of the book, discussing normal patterns of growth and development, is cross-referenced to equivalent chapters in the second half, which discuss the atypical route. These connections serve to emphasize the continuities between, and similarities of, children with typical and atypical conditions. Among the difficulties covered are:

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  Pervasive developmental disorders


• Genetic disorders


• Physical impairments


• Learning difficulties


• Brain damage


• Emotional and behavioural disorders


• Personality disorders.


• Physical and mental illnesses

The text also deliberately links developmental and clinical psychology approaches in order to help readers connect their theoretical understanding of the physical and psychological problems of childhood with the practicalities of assessment, rehabilitation and treatment.