Objective To validate a Rapid Neurodevelopmental Assessment (RNDA) tool for use by child health professionals to determine neurodevelopmental impairments (NDIs) in young adolescents aged 10–16 years in Bangladesh. Study design In a convenience sample of community children (n = 47), inter‐rater reliability was determined between four testers, and concurrent validity was determined by simultaneous administration of an intelligence quotient (IQ) test (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Revised) by a child psychologist. Results Inter‐rater reliability was excellent between the testers on the 47 children administered the RNDA (kappa = 1.00). Significantly lower IQ scores were obtained in those identified with ‘any (>1) NDI’ (n = 34) compared with those with no NDI (n = 13) on Verbal IQ (P‐value < 0.0001), Performance IQ (P‐value < 0.0001) and Full‐scale IQ (P‐value < 0.0001) scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Revised. Conclusion The RNDA shows promise as a tool for use by child health professionals for identifying NDIs in young adolescents aged 10–16 years. A larger study sample is needed to determine its usefulness for identification of some impairments not found in the study population, i.e. gross motor, fine motor, hearing and seizures.