Exploring Wait times for Pediatric Rehabilitation Services for Children who are Neurodiverse in Durham, Ontario

This research focuses on challenges in accessing pediatric rehabilitation for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. In Durham Region, Ontario, Grandview Children’s Centre (Grandview) is the only provincially designated center to provide necessary rehabilitation services for these children. However, high demand has created long wait times to care. Using electronic health records of children under 19 years-old attending Grandview for rehabilitation (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology) between 2020-2023, this research will: 1) Describe annual wait times for rehabilitation; and 2) Investigate the association between rehabilitation wait times and age, sex, residential location, and referral source. This research will provide necessary information to impact care in several ways, including: 1) informing Grandview about wait lists to help develop wait time and care strategies; 2) providing the Ontario government, relevant ministries, and policymakers with current data to better understand the urgency related to pediatric rehabilitation wait times; and 3) shaping expectations of parents and caregivers regarding care for their children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Finally, this research will lay the foundation for future studies and advocate for essential funding for this population. This research is a collaborative effort between the Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research at Ontario Tech University and Grandview Children’s Centre.

Faculty Supervisor:

Pierre Côté;Heather Shearer

Student:

Partner:

Grandview Kids

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Program: