Service access for youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities transitioning to adulthood

Service providers’ and decision-makers’ perspectives on barriers, facilitators and policy recommendations

Bibliographic Data

ID22079210
AuthorsAngela M Senevirathna (University of Calgary), Patricia Basualto (0000-0002-0500-7258, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), Ashish Seth (0000-0003-1580-897X, University of Calgary), Gina Dimitropoulos (0000-0001-9487-0290, University of Calgary), Jennifer Zwicker (0000-0002-0722-5929, University of Calgary, corresponding author), Jennifer D Zwicker
Year2025
Volume13
Pages1612509-1612509
Publication date2025-11-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1612509
PMID41283039
OpenAlexW4415957863
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited67

Introduction: Youth with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDD) who are transitioning to adulthood often struggle with accessing services. This limited access can result in poorer health, reduced ability to perform daily activities and engage in independent living and decreased levels of participation in society. Despite Canada's commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, British Columbia (BC) youth with NDD face additional barriers. Methods: This study investigated service providers' and decision-makers' perspectives on barriers, facilitators and policy recommendations for accessing BC's health, education and disability services for youth with NDD. We conducted a qualitative descriptive study with 15 semi-structured interviews. We conducted inductive thematic coding to generate themes, which we then organized and interpreted using Bronfenbrenner's ecological model. Results: Findings revealed that fragmented organizational structures, eligibility criteria, limited and unstable funding and enduring stigma impede service access, while coordinated inter-agency collaboration, clear transition planning and early, family-centered interventions may improve outcomes. Discussion: Targeted policy reforms across multiple ecological levels are essential to reduce inequities in service access and strengthen the continuum of support for youth with NDD as they transition to adulthood

Health services · Policy development · Service delivery framework · Service provider · Universal design · Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare · Disability Rights and Representation · Healthcare innovation and challenges

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Open DOIOpen Access