CHILD DEVELOPMENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES IN CANADA

Abstract

Educational and developmental trajectories can be modified with early identification of needs and early interventions to support children in meeting developmental milestones. The goal of the dissertation was to explore the health and social outcomes of children with parent-reported, diagnosed, or teacher-identified neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) in Canada. This was done through three studies: 1) a quantitative regression study on developmental and academic outcomes from kindergarten to Grade 6 in Ontario, 2) a realist review of literature from the last decade on child development programs in Ontario and Manitoba; 3) a quantitative multilevel model approach to examine changes in prevalence rates of developmental outcomes over time in neighbourhoods in Ontario and Manitoba. The identification of developmentally vulnerable subgroups in these studies could help stakeholders decide on where and how universal and targeted policy solutions could be implemented. These studies provide more empirical support for early intervention programs and early entry to special education to ensure students develop the skills they need. Meaningful participation in school, community, and home is important for child and family development, and these studies show that meaningful participation can be facilitated by healthcare and community providers, educators, policymakers, and parents themselves. Including two provinces in two of the three studies allowed us to compare provincial health and educational policies and describe possible ways interprovincial variance exists in services and childhood outcomes. The results also showed socioeconomic and geographic inequities experienced by families and neurodiverse children between and within provinces. Additionally, the dissertation shows that a diagnosis of either autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other NDD is associated with varied developmental and educational outcomes. Fundamentally, this dissertation showcases the necessity for collaboration in child developmental health and education sectors to provide more seamless communication and support services across schools, clinics, and community agencies.