Book excerpt: James Harris's two volume work on developmental neuropsychiatry sets the agenda for this emerging clinical specialty. Written by an individual with the developmental expertise of a pediatrician, the behavioral sophistication of an adult and child psychiatrist, and a deep appreciation of neuroscience, these two books offer an integrated yet comprehensive approach to developmental neuropsychiatry. Grounded in neuroscience but enriched by clinical realities, Volume II provides a comprehensive review of the developmental neuropsychiatric disorders. Throughout the text current DSM-IV diagnostic criteria are provided. Part I outlines the diagnostic process and the genetic history, provides details on the conduct of neuropsychological testing, and offers a detailed review of brain imaging techniques, moving from CT and MRI scanning to the most recent developments in functional MRI and PET scanning. Part II discusses mental retardation, cerebral palsy, the learning disorders, the pervasive developmental disorders, and traumatic brain injury. Part III describes behavioral phenotypes in cytogenetic and other genetic disorders, genetic metabolic disorders, and disorders that result from gestational substance abuse. Part IV is devoted to developmental psychopathology and includes Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, Tourette's disorder, sleep disorders, and the syndromes of aggression and self-injury primarily occurring in mentally retarded persons. Part V covers treatment and includes detailed descriptions of psychotherapy, behavior therapy, pharmacological interventions, genetic counseling, and gene therapy. Finally, Part VI deals with legal and ethical issues as they pertain to developmentally disabled persons.