Improving participation outcomes and interventions in neurodisability: co-designing future research

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Children with neurodisability require improved participation outcomes and interventions.
• Existing evidence and the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework informed the study.
• Co-design with service users and providers ensured relevance and applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design research focused on participation outcomes and interventions for children with neurodisability.
• To identify and prioritize key participation outcomes for improvement.
• To develop a personalized intervention strategy for self-care support.

Main Methods:

• Specified seven participation outcome categories for measurement.
• Prioritized self-care, social interaction, and physical activity as key areas for improvement.
• Identified 11 intervention categories and 8 change mechanisms targeting self-care.
• Designed a before-and-after mixed methods feasibility study.

Main Results:

• Self-care, friends and social participation, and physical activity were prioritized.
• A 'Menu of Interventions' was developed for personalized self-care support.
• A feasibility study design was established to evaluate the intervention menu.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully designed a framework for improving participation in children with neurodisability.
• A personalized 'Menu of Interventions' approach shows promise for enhancing self-care.
• The feasibility study will provide valuable insights into intervention effectiveness.