A new model for the diagnostic assessment services trajectory for neurodevelopmental conditions.
Claudine Jacques, Mélina Rivard, Catherine Mello and 3 others
PMID 39655185WHAT IT FOUND
Stakeholders co-created a diagnostic pathway for children aged 0-7 with suspected neurodevelopmental conditions.
They identified a dedicated family navigator and service continuity as essential, noting that current systems often prioritize available resources over specific child needs.
Key findings
01A dedicated key player or navigator is required from the start of the trajectory to support families and ensure continuity, a role currently absent in neurodevelopmental assessment teams.
02Assessment services are frequently determined by available resources rather than the child's specific clinical needs, leading to inappropriate referrals.
03The proposed model mandates access to support and services before a formal diagnosis is made, with 100% agreement from validating stakeholders.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Occupational therapists were not included in the sample, despite being a relevant profession in this field. The validation phase was conducted only with the advisory committee, not with parents or other clinical experts. Delays in ethical approval restricted the research team's ability to use varied data collection methods for different stakeholder groups.
Declared interests
Funded by a Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé grant. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the high agreement rates as evidence that this new trajectory improves patient outcomes or access. This study validates the design of a service model through stakeholder consensus; it does not test the clinical efficacy of the proposed interventions.