Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in Childhood and Adolescence: Innovative Policy and Programs

Childhood and adolescence represent critical developmental periods significantly affected by neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and learning disorders. In North America alone, up to 17% of children experience NDDs, severely impacting their cognitive, social, motor, communicative, and adaptive abilities. While government disability programs are integral in addressing these functional limitations and promoting inclusion, significant gaps persist. Ineffective or inaccessible policies and programs often result in substantial barriers, limiting the opportunities for NDD youth in areas including education, health services, social integration, employment, and overall quality of life. Additionally, struggling caregivers frequently suffer negative physical and mental health consequences, underscoring the closeness of caregiver welfare to the efficacy of public policies. Current research recognizes that caregivers across different diagnoses face shared challenges; thus, comprehensive and inclusive policies should consider these broader, collective needs.

This Research Topic aims to identify, analyze, and promote innovative public policies and program practices tailored to effectively support children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their caregivers. It will critically examine current barriers and systemic challenges, assessing how these factors directly affect the life trajectories and quality of life among youth with NDDs and their families. Central questions include understanding how to integrate functional-based eligibility criteria into disability programs effectively, identifying promising practices and emergent innovations, and promoting scalable frameworks that prioritize inclusion and equity within communities.

To further define the scope and enhance understanding of impactful policies, this Research Topic focuses exclusively on childhood and adolescence, specifically examining disability-related policies, programs, and interventions through the lens of diverse social determinants and innovative models of practice.

We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Equality and accessibility in disability support programs

• Enhancing social participation and community inclusion

• Strengthening financial security and employment opportunities for youth with NDDs

• Improving health and social service delivery mechanisms

• Public education campaigns and stakeholder information strategies

• Promoting legal capacity, justice, and rights-based perspectives

• Providing sufficient caregiving support and resources for families

• Inclusive education practices and accessible housing solutions

We invite submissions of original research, systematic reviews, commentaries, and perspective articles exploring these themes and wider implications for public policy, service effectiveness, and caregiving practices in disability contexts.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: neurodevelopmental disability; childhood; adolescence; policy; practice; intervention; innovation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.