CanChild

Speech–language pathologists (SLPs) may design and implement public health approaches that advance children’s language development. Universal, public health-informed SLP programmes could improve equity and access to SLP services for all children, including those from families that are historically underserved (e.g., socially and economically disadvantaged families). Social determinants of health, like food or housing insecurity, exposure to violence, or systemic inequalities (e.g., racism), may affect language development and also limit access to speech–language pathology services.

👉 This clinical focus article describes how a public health lens, trauma- and violence-informed care principles, and evidence about parent coaching in early language interventions were applied to develop a new programme titled Community Opportunities For Family Engagement and Empowerment, and Play and Learning Accessible for Youth (COFFEE and PLAY).

✅ The programme builds relationships between families and SLPs to (a) reduce barriers to service, (b) build parents’ capacity to support children’s language, and (c) promote school readiness.

🌟 CanChild Co-Authors: Michelle Phoenix, Wenonah Campbell and Chantal Camden

🔗 Read the publication here: https://ow.ly/sZA050ZBYyt

This scoping review examined how well social communication interventions for autistic children align with strength-based and family-centred approaches in speech-language pathology (SLP).

👉 Across 26 studies, most described autism primarily through a deficit lens, and children's own perspectives were rarely included in intervention goals or outcome measures — even though parents' views were more commonly reported. Meanwhile, SLP guidelines and gray literature have long recommended strength-based, family-centred service delivery.

🔍 The findings highlight a gap between recommended values and real-world practice, and offer concrete suggestions for centering autistic children's and families' strengths and perspectives — including moving toward shared decision-making in social communication interventions.

This review is a timely call for SLP researchers and clinicians to reflect on how their approaches to autism and social communication can better honour neurodiversity-affirming principles.

🌟 CanChild Co-Authors: Maya Albin, Peter Rosenbaum and Michelle Phoenix

🔗 Read the publication here: https://ow.ly/cPOp50ZAHv2

Infants born preterm are at risk of developmental disabilities, and parents are expected to manage their complex needs.

👉 This study aimed to identify the perspectives of providers and parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)/follow-up clinic and early intervention (EI) on the supports preterm infants and their families need during the transition to home after the NICU hospital stay.

Nine NICU/clinic therapists, eight EI service providers, and six parents participated. Six focus groups were conducted.

🔍 Six themes were identified through thematic analysis: (1) the NICU and transition to home journey is long, traumatic, overwhelming, and difficult with some positive experiences; (2) preparing families for transition from the NICU—multiple areas of focus, approaches, and people involved but limited effectiveness; (3) holistic outcomes for family are primary, but infant’s development is also essential; (4) access to services is variable and influenced by child, family, and system factors; (5) comprehensive, coordinated health and developmental services are needed but limited; and (6) EI services are designed to meet child and family individualized needs but system issues bring challenges.

✅ The findings support the need for comprehensive, trauma-informed services to foster parenting efficacy and children’s well-being during transition home.

🌟 CanChild Co-Author: Lisa A. Chiarello

🔗 Read the publiction here: https://ow.ly/EZS750ZyAZ4

🏃‍♀️ How active are Brazilian children and adolescents with cerebral palsy?

This nationwide study included 456 Brazilian children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) across all Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels, providing one of the largest datasets on physical activity in this population.

Findings showed that:
✅ Most children aged 0–12 years met the World Health Organization physical activity recommendations.
⚠️ However, most adolescents (13–18 years) did not meet these recommendations.
🚶 Ambulatory participants were more physically active, spent less time in sedentary behaviour, and demonstrated greater physical activity endurance than nonambulatory participants.
📊 Age and mobility were the strongest predictors of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and physical activity endurance.

These findings highlight the importance of developing accessible environments, creating opportunities for active participation, and implementing public policies that support lifelong physical activity for people with cerebral palsy—especially during adolescence and for those with greater mobility limitations. Together, we can help build a more active, inclusive, and healthier future for children and adolescents with CP.

🌟 CanChild Co-Authors: Paula Chagas and Hércules Leite

🔗 Read the publication here: https://ow.ly/XUtl50ZyAnY

Congratulations to Hayli Jang on a successful MSc Thesis Defense last week!✨

📚 Title: Improving Access to Universal Resources in Pediatric Rehabilitation

👉 Supervised by Dr. Michelle Phoenix, Hayli's thesis focused on improving access to universal resources in pediatric rehabilitation. Universal resources are publicly available educational materials and supports that any family can use. By mapping the resources available on Ontario children's treatment centre websites and exploring the needs and preferences of caregivers, clinicians, and managers, her research aimed to inform the development of more accessible, equitable, and family-centred resources for children and families waiting for rehabilitation services.

This study translated and validated the About My Child (AMC) questionnaire, a family-centred instrument that assesses caregiver concerns and their perceived impact on daily activities for children and adolescents, into Brazilian Portuguese.

Following a rigorous six-step process of translation, back-translation, and semantic and content analysis, the psychometric properties were tested with 135 parents and caregivers, 40 of whom completed a test-retest evaluation 15 days later.

✅ The Brazilian version showed satisfactory internal consistency and acceptable test-retest reliability, confirming its suitability for clinical and research use in Brazil. Grounded in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), the translated AMC gives health professionals a validated tool to identify family concerns and guide biopsychosocial, family-centred care, expanding the standardized instruments available for children with disabilities in Brazil.

🔍 Want to learn more about the About My Child questionnaire? Click here: https://ow.ly/a9O750Zxent

🌟 CanChild Co-Author: Beatriz Helena Brugnaro Marques

🔗 Read the publication here: https://ow.ly/k8Lb50Zxenu

Congratulations to Morteza Soleyman Dehkordi on a successful MSc Thesis Defense last week!✨

📚 Title: Co-designing Culturally Responsive and Trauma-Informed Health and Rehabilitation Services for Racialized Newcomer Families of Children with Disabilities

👉 Supervised by Dr. Michelle Phoenix, Morteza completed his MSc thesis through a partnership between CanChild and SMILE Canada - Support Services. Using an Experience-Based Co-Design approach, the thesis explored the experiences and perspectives of newcomer families with children with disabilities, service providers, and organizational leaders regarding access to children’s health and rehabilitation services in Canada. These groups then worked together to co-design recommendations for more culturally responsive and trauma-informed services.

🌟 CanChild’s co-founder, Peter Rosenbaum, has spent more than four decades helping transform the way the world thinks about childhood-onset disability—and at 82, he's still teaching, researching, and inspiring meaningful change.

In a recent feature by The Hamilton Spectator, Peter reflects on his career, his philosophy of partnering with families, and his continued passion for improving the lives of children and youth with disabilities. The article also highlights a newly funded Canadian Institutes of Health Research project that aims to support families while they wait for developmental and disability services, an issue that affects so many across Canada.

👉 From championing family-centred service to co-developing the F-words for Child Development framework, Peter's work continues to shape research, practice, and policy around the world.

Congratulations, Peter, on this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to children, families, and the global community!

🔗 Read the Hamilton Spectator feature: https://ow.ly/wzhl50ZwBo5

McMaster University McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences

PREP – Pathways and Resources for Engagement and Participation – intervention supports individuals to pursue self-chosen activities (e.g., cooking classes, playing an instrument) in their own contexts.

👉 This study examined strategies used to support 65 youth and young adults (ages 12–25) with physical disabilities in participating in 127 chosen activities. More than 500 documented intervention strategies were analyzed.

Twenty-eight actions organized by four overarching strategy categories were identified: (1) reach out to community resources and partners, (2) set the stage for an accessible and adaptable context for participation, (3) engage partners in learning and education to foster their agency and enable feasible and supportive participation, and (4) monitor the process and consider new solutions.

🌟 CanChild Co-Author: Dana Anaby

🔗 Read the publication here: https://doi.org/10.1177/19437676261464071

📚 Learn more about the PREP Intervention here: https://canchild.ca/shop/25-prep-intervention-protocol/

🌍 How do Brazilian children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder participate in everyday life?

This nationwide study will investigate participation in recreational and community activities among 500 Brazilian children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across all five regions of Brazil.

Beyond describing participation patterns, the study will identify:
✅ Barriers and facilitators to participation
✅ Family strategies that support inclusion
✅ The influence of mobility, socioeconomic factors, and the environment on participation

A key strength of this project is the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) approach, ensuring that families actively contribute to important research decisions throughout the study. Our goal is to generate robust evidence that can inform public policies, guide family-centered interventions, and promote greater participation, inclusion, and quality of life for children and adolescents with ASD in Brazil.

🌟 CanChild Co-Authors: Olaf Kraus de Camargo and Hércules Ribeiro Leite

🔗 Read the publication here: https://ow.ly/KWzo50Zuujk