NDD

Challenge Whereas children and families affected by neurodevelopmental disorders have needs, scientists have research questions. Kids Brain Health Network’s Knowledge-Translation (KT) Core builds bridges between the two so that research can make a real difference for those it intends to serve. Project Summary and Results In 2016, the KT core conducted 32 one-on-one interviews with [...]

Challenge Persons in research institutions, hospitals and governments make decisions every day that affect the well-being of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs). The KBHN Neuroethics Core sought to find ways to help doctors, scientists, policymakers and parents with their ethical decision-making. Project Summary and The neuroethics core at Kids Brain Health Network helped people navigate [...]

Challenge Researchers across the world have collected vast amounts of data relating to brain development, including information about genes and their expressions in cells, brain structure, electrical activity in the brain, behaviours, diagnosable disorders and more. These data aren’t currently used to their full potential. There are algorithms, databases and software that allow scientists to [...]

Challenge The prevalence of childhood neurodisability in Canada was previously unknown. Since prevalence is typically reported by specific diagnoses, such as CP or FASD, it was difficult to appreciate what proportion of children in Canada are impacted by brain-based developmental disorders and to estimate the need for supports and services for them and their families. [...]

Challenge Findings from the Social Determinants of Health Program’s “Support Matters!” project has found that children with neurodisabilities have diverse needs at critical stages of their development, which require different forms of support and services. Parent focus groups further identified a need to improve the experience of navigating these various services. From this need, the [...]

Challenge While there has been a great deal of research into causes and potential therapies for children with neurodisability, there has been a significant lack of support for children and their families as they grow and develop. Therefore, researchers created “Support Matters!” to understand these needs better. Project Summary Researchers conducted individual and focus group [...]

Challenge Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families have specific needs that are often left unmet by services. This fact necessitates a means of collecting and providing the skills, knowledge and expertise to address their concerns. Project Summary The TotTech team functions as an engineering hub to provide biomedical, mechanical and computer engineering expertise that [...]

Challenge It is well established that children benefit from physical activity. But for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, participating in these activities is often challenging, which prevents them from engaging and, in turn, limits their development even further. Project Summary Community-based physical activity programs (PAPs) represent a low-cost, high-impact intervention strategy that can improve the function [...]

A National Team Approach Challenge Early diagnosis and early intervention for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) can help improve future development, increase social integration and allow better academic success. Scientists and clinicians have been increasingly interested in early diagnostic tools to assess brain function and cerebral activity, known as electroencephalographic (EEG) and optical imaging (near-infrared [...]

Challenge Disability is associated with increased health and social service costs that vary significantly with the severity of the disability. In Canada, estimating the costs associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) is challenging because the diagnosis process is lengthy. There are many costs to consider throughout a person’s lifespan, such as medical care, educational expenses [...]