Neurodevelopmental Disorders (Canada)
About this PSP
This PSP aimed to identify the priority research areas of the Ontario neurodevelopmental disorders community when it came to questions about interventions to improve the health and wellbeing of people living with a neurodevelopmental disorder.
Neurodevelopmental disorders arise from disturbances in the growth and development of the brain and the nervous systems. Significant overlap exists among these disorders in risk factors, underlying molecular mechanisms and clinical outcomes related to emotional regulation, behaviour, learning, and self-control. Often children are given dual or multiple diagnoses dependant on these observed outcomes. In Ontario alone, more than 300,000 children and youth have been diagnosed with one or more neurodevelopment disorders.
See news from this PSP: June 2019
The Neurodevelopmental Disorders (Canada) PSP Top 10 was published in October 2017.
Katherine Cowan talking about the priority setting workshop
The Top 10 Priorities
- What are the most effective treatment options/plans (e.g., timing, frequency, duration, type, intensity or dosage) for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders for both short and long-term benefits?
- How can system navigation be organized in a manner that enables coordinated services and supports across the lifespan for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families?
- Which biological treatments (including medications, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, etc.) are effective for neurodevelopmental disorders and associated symptoms?
- Which child and family-centered interventions or approaches promote optimal individual and family functioning?
- Which interventions best help individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders develop emotional and behavioural regulation (including increasing impulse control and reducing compulsive behaviour)?
- Which resources are needed to more effectively address the health, social and emotional needs of families or caregivers of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders?
- How can treatment decisions for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders be more precise (i.e., based on the diagnosis, age, functional need of the individual)?
- Which are the most effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for aggressive and self-injurious behaviour in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders?
- Which are the most effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention(s) to reduce anxiety in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders?
- Which interventions are most effective to help individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders improve their social skills and develop and maintain social relationships?
The following questions were also discussed and put in order of priority at the workshop:
- How can educators and multi-disciplinary teams be better trained to provide individualized education for and accommodate children with neurodevelopmental disorders to ensure optimal outcomes?
- Which supports are most effective to protect individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders from abuse (e.g. physical, sexual, bullying) and other threats to their wellbeing?
- Which intervention(s) are the most effective for improving executive functioning (e.g. rigid thinking, planning, organizing, sustaining attention, working memory, etc.) in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders?
- How can barriers be reduced to ensure timely access of services, treatments and supports for neurodevelopmental disorders?
- How can access to coordinated care (including diagnosis and treatment) for individuals with multiple neurodevelopmental disorders be improved?
- How can families and caregivers be more involved and supported to make informed decisions that address their needs, preferences and priorities?
- Which are the most effective interventions to improve cognition and address learning deficits in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders?
- How do co-occurring disorders impact treatment decisions for individuals with a neurodevelopmental disorder?
- Which teaching strategies, classroom approaches and supports/services work best to meet the academic needs of students with neurodevelopmental disorders?
- What are the beneficial effects of cannabis products and/or medicinal marijuana for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders?
Document downloads
For full details of all of the questions identified by this PSP, please see the document below.