CanChild

This study investigated the association between socioeconomic status and cerebral palsy (CP) motor function in children, adjusting for known clinical and candidate environmental risk factors, that is, air pollution and distance to a children’s treatment center (CTC).

Using data from the CPNET database in Ontario, Canada, researchers conducted a cross-sectional study of 292 children aged 2 to 7 years. Ordinal logistic regression showed that a greater proportion of children classified in GMFCS levels IV or V were found in higher material deprivation quintiles, with a dose–response relationship (odds ratio = 2.85). Distance to a CTC was also associated with greater CP motor impairment, while air pollution showed no association. Higher levels of deprivation and distance to a CTC were linked to greater motor impairment, suggesting the need to address social inequalities for individuals with CP.

🌟 CanChild Co-Author: Darcy Fehlings

🔗 Read the publication here: https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.70243

💚 Learn more about the CPNET Project here: https://cp-net.org/

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a Web-based Early intervention for Children using multimodAl REhabilitation (WECARE) in improving the performance of children (aged 3–8 years) with motor difficulties.

This pragmatic randomized control trial divided 118 families of children with motor difficulties into the control or WECARE group. WECARE was delivered via a web-based platform; the control group received usual care.

The primary outcome assessed children’s performance on parent-identified goals (COPM). Secondary outcomes included parents’ knowledge and skills (PKSQ) and satisfaction with supports received. No statistically significant between-group differences were found in the proportion of overall goals achieved. However, parents in the WECARE group scored significantly higher on knowledge and skills and on satisfaction with the support received. Although no significant differences were observed in children’s motor goal performance, the intervention showed clinical value in supporting parents of children with motor difficulties.

🌟 CanChild Co-Authors: Karen Hurtubise, Michelle Phoenix, Jill Zwicker, and Chantal Camden

🔗 Read the publication here: https://ow.ly/1kMI50Z9sBC

Parents caring for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) face unique and ongoing challenges that impact family well-being. Peer support from individuals with shared lived experiences can offer recognition, shared understanding and empowerment. Despite its promise, peer support for parents of children with NDD remains largely informal, under-researched and poorly integrated within standard healthcare.

This study aimed to explore parents’ perceptions of peer support, focusing on uptake, impact and conditions influencing its effectiveness. A survey co-created with parent–carers was completed by 225 parents (89% mothers). Results showed that 77.3% expressed a need for peer support, mainly because friends and family did not fully understand their situation. Of these, 65.6% reported finding peer support, mostly informal. Thematic analysis identified four key categories: support, mutual learning, connection by recognition, and experiencing no judgement.

Parents of children with NDD valued peer support for emotional connection, practical advice and shared understanding. Preferences are highly individual, emphasizing the need for tailored peer support. These findings may guide the design and implementation of peer support initiatives aligned with parents' needs and preferences.

🌟 CanChild Co-Author: Marjolijn Ketelaar

🔗 Read the publication here: https://ow.ly/Op2Z50Z85TF

This integrative review proposes the FADS protocol, a standardized biopsychosocial assessment tool for children and adolescents with Down syndrome aged 6 to 17 years, grounded in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The protocol integrates multiple validated instruments — adapted for Brazilian Portuguese — to assess all ICF components, including activities, participation, environmental and personal factors, and body structure and function, and is structured across three stages combining remote and in-person modalities to optimize both clinical and research settings. The FADS protocol represents an important step toward more holistic, individualized, and equitable care for children with Down syndrome, with the potential to guide targeted interventions and inform inclusive public policies in Brazil and beyond.

🌟 CanChild Co-Authors: Beatriz Helena Brugnaro Marques and Olaf Kraus de Camargo

🔗 Read the publication here: https://ow.ly/N3tB50Z7A99

CanChild is looking forward to an exciting week at the EACD Galway 2026 Congress in Galway, Ireland from June 3–6! 🌍 🇮🇪 Check out our sessions scheduled for Saturday, June 6 — the final day of Congress is packed with opportunities to learn, connect, and share! ✨

Saturday’s program features:
🌟 Instructional courses on cerebral palsy diagnosis and the Gross Motor Family Report facilitated by Paula Chagas, Peter Rosenbaum, Marilyn Wright and Lesley Pritchard
🎤 Mini-symposiums exploring participation and policy, along with oral communications focused on youth engagement in research, cerebral palsy epidemiology, and pediatric rehabilitation practice
🖼️ A number of poster presentations highlighting implementation, patient engagement and motivation in therapy

We’re proud and grateful to contribute to conversations that advance participation, family engagement, equity, and evidence-informed care for children and youth with disabilities around the world!

✨ Curious to learn more or explore the full program? Click here: https://www.eacd2026.com/

CanChild is gearing up for an exciting week at the EACD Galway 2026 Congress in Galway, Ireland from June 3–6! 🌍 🇮🇪 Check out our sessions scheduled for Friday, June 5 — it’s a full day of exciting learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing you won’t want to miss! ✨

Friday’s program features:
🌟 Multiple instructional courses exploring participation, pain, along with an instructional course on the novel F-words Lens Tool, facilitated by Peter Rosenbaum, Rachel Teplicky, Hércules Ribeiro Leite, Ginny Paleg and Paula Chagas!
👉 A special Early Career Researchers’ Forum session on Family Engagement in Research co-presented by Andrea Cross and Hércules Leite!

We’re proud to share work alongside researchers, clinicians, families, and partners from around the world as we continue advancing meaningful, inclusive, and participation-focused care!

✨ Curious to learn more or explore the full program? Click here: https://www.eacd2026.com/

CanChild is gearing up for an exciting week at the EACD Galway 2026 Congress in Galway, Ireland from June 3–6! 🌍 🇮🇪 Check out our sessions scheduled for Thursday, June 4 — you won’t want to miss them!

This packed first day of Congress features:
🎤 An inspiring keynote on: Changing the Conversation on Childhood Disability: Family Voices and the Power of the F-Words, co-presented by Rachel Teplicky and Danijela Grahovac
🌟 A wide range of presentations across formats, including instructional courses, mini-symposiums, oral communications, and posters!

✨ Curious to learn more or explore the full program? Click here: https://www.eacd2026.com/

CanChild is gearing up for an exciting week at the EACD Galway 2026 Congress in Galway, Ireland, from June 3–6! 🌍 🇮🇪 Check out our sessions scheduled for Wednesday, June 3 — you won’t want to miss them!

This exciting pre-congress day features:
🌟 A Pre-Congress workshop on implementation science facilitated by Andrea Cross, Kim Hesketh, Rachel Teplicky, and Vanessa Tomas
🎤 An inspiring Public Lecture by Peter Rosenbaum: Childhood Disability in the 21st Century: Out of the Shadows with the World Health Organization and some “F-Words!”

✨ Curious to learn more or explore the full program? Click here: https://www.eacd2026.com/

Congratulations to Danijela Grahovac on receiving the Kids Brain Health Network Outstanding Lived Experience Leader Award! 🌟 🎉

As a Technical Support Specialist at CanChild and a parent of a child with a disability, Danijela brings both lived experience and technical expertise to her work developing accessible digital platforms and learning environments for initiatives including the The F-words for Child Development, ENVISAGE, and Family Engagement In Research Course.

Danijela is a passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion, helping ensure digital content is accessible to individuals of all abilities, including those using assistive technologies. Beyond her role at CanChild, she also supports inclusive recreation opportunities for children and youth through her work with All Abilities Allstars.

We are proud to celebrate Danijela and her ongoing contributions to accessibility, family engagement, and lived experience leadership! 👏

👉 Read more: https://ow.ly/bAeI50Z5hS9@

Co-creation processes are part of a movement to create change in collaboration with people with lived and living experience (PWLLE) in health and social services. Research co-creation with PWLLE is increasing, however, processes tend to include people who are well-connected in health and research environments, often excluding equity-deserving groups (EDGs).

This evaluation aimed to understand how equity-based co-creation (EqCC) is enacted in health and social services and what outcomes are produced. Informed by realist evaluation methods, a multiple case study methodology was used to explore four sites conducting EqCC projects. Four causal configurations were identified: (1) Values, (2) Driving Issue, (3) Organizational Infrastructure, and (4) Experiential Knowledge Network.

The causal configurations explored in this evaluation identify the key contexts, mechanisms and outcomes that support co-creation with people from EDGs. These may inform inclusive co-creation project design and the development of a middle-range theory of equity-based co-creation.

🌟 CanChild Co-Authors: Sam Micsinszki and Michelle Phoenix

🔗 Read the publication here: https://ow.ly/B8Yk50Z4K7f