{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,26]],"date-time":"2026-10-26T02:45:03Z","timestamp":1792982703856,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":62,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,19]],"date-time":"2024-06-19T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1718755200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Public Health"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Early childhood is foundational for optimal and inclusive lifelong learning, health and well-being. Young children with disabilities face substantial risks of sub-optimal early childhood development (ECD), requiring targeted support to ensure equitable access to lifelong learning opportunities, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Although the Sustainable Development Goals, 2015\u20132030 (SDGs) emphasise inclusive education for children under 5\u2009years with disabilities, there is no global strategy for achieving this goal since the launch of the SDGs. This paper explores a global ECD framework for children with disabilities based on a review of national ECD programmes from different world regions and relevant global ECD reports published since 2015. Available evidence suggests that any ECD strategy for young children with disabilities should consists of a twin-track approach, strong legislative support, guidelines for early intervention, family involvement, designated coordinating agencies, performance indicators, workforce recruitment and training, as well as explicit funding mechanisms and monitoring systems. This approach reinforces parental rights and liberty to choose appropriate support pathway for their children. We conclude that without a global disability-focussed ECD strategy that incorporates these key features under a dedicated global leadership, the SDGs vision and commitment for the world\u2019s children with disabilities are unlikely to be realised.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1390107","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,19]],"date-time":"2024-06-19T05:26:05Z","timestamp":1718774765000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":34,"title":["Early childhood development strategy for the world\u2019s children with disabilities"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"12","author":[{"given":"Bolajoko O.","family":"Olusanya","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Scott M.","family":"Wright","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tracey","family":"Smythe","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mary A.","family":"Khetani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marisol","family":"Moreno-Angarita","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sheffali","family":"Gulati","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sally A.","family":"Brinkman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nihad A.","family":"Almasri","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marta","family":"Figueiredo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lidia B.","family":"Giudici","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Oluwatosin","family":"Olorunmoteni","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Paul","family":"Lynch","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Brad","family":"Berman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andrew N.","family":"Williams","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jacob O.","family":"Olusanya","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Donald","family":"Wertlieb","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Adrian C.","family":"Davis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mijna","family":"Hadders-Algra","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Melissa J.","family":"Gladstone","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,19]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","article-title":"From early child development to human development: investing in our children\u2019s future","author":"Young","year":"2002"},{"key":"ref2","volume-title":"Education 2030 framework for action","year":"2016"},{"key":"ref3","volume-title":"Sustainable development goals","year":"2015"},{"key":"ref4","volume-title":"Seen, counted, included: using data to shed light on the well-being of children with disabilities","year":"2021"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"977453","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2022.977453","article-title":"Global and regional prevalence of disabilities among children and adolescents: analysis of findings from global health databases","volume":"10","author":"Olusanya","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"155","DOI":"10.3390\/children10010155","article-title":"Global research on developmental disabilities collaborators (GRDDC). Disabilities in early childhood: a Global Health perspective","volume":"10","author":"Olusanya","year":"2023","journal-title":"Children"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e107300","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0107300","article-title":"The impact of disability on the lives of children; cross-sectional data including 8,900 children with disabilities and 898,834 children without disabilities across 30 countries","volume":"9","author":"Kuper","year":"2014","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"627824","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2021.627824","article-title":"Premature mortality, risk factors, and causes of death following childhood-onset neurological impairments: a systematic review","volume":"12","author":"Abuga","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1198302","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyt.2023.1198302","article-title":"Parental stress in families of children with special educational needs: a systematic review","volume":"14","author":"Cheng","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Psych"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"679","DOI":"10.1007\/s10995-007-0307-z","article-title":"Impact of child disability on the family","volume":"12","author":"Reichman","year":"2008","journal-title":"Matern Child Health J"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"92","DOI":"10.1177\/1367493512447089","article-title":"Impact, meaning and need for help and support: the experience of parents caring for children with disabilities, life-limiting\/life-threatening illness or technology dependence","volume":"17","author":"Whiting","year":"2013","journal-title":"J Child Health Care"},{"key":"ref12","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref13","volume-title":"The global strategy for women's, children's and adolescents' health","year":""},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"n9","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.n9","article-title":"Disability in children and adolescents must be integrated into the global health agenda","volume":"372","author":"Cieza","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e2022056645","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2022-056645","article-title":"The nurturing care framework and children with developmental disabilities in LMICs","volume":"151","author":"Olusanya","year":"2023","journal-title":"Pediatrics"},{"key":"ref16","volume-title":"Disability-inclusive health care systems: technical note for World Bank task teams","year":"2022"},{"key":"ref17","volume-title":"Are we fulfilling our promises? Inclusive education in Sub-Saharan Africa","year":"2020"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1056","DOI":"10.1038\/s41591-023-02291-x","article-title":"Global research on developmental disabilities collaborators (GRDDC). Global leadership is needed to optimize early childhood development for children with disabilities","volume":"29","author":"Olusanya","year":"2023","journal-title":"Nat Med"},{"key":"ref19","volume-title":"Nurturing care for early childhood development: a framework for helping children survive and thrive to transform health and human potential","year":"2018"},{"key":"ref20","volume-title":"Global survey of inclusive early childhood development and early childhood intervention programs","author":"Vargas-Bar\u00f3n","year":"2019"},{"key":"ref21","volume-title":"Starting strong 2017: key OECD indicators on early childhood education and care, starting strong","year":"2017"},{"key":"ref22","volume-title":"Mapping of disability-inclusive education practices in South Asia","author":"Grimes","year":"2021"},{"key":"ref23","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref24","year":"2020"},{"key":"ref25","volume-title":"Middle East and North Africa (MENA) disability inclusive education study","author":"Contin","year":"2022"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1596\/978-1-4648-0323-9","volume-title":"Expanding opportunities for the next generation: early childhood development in the Middle East and North Africa","author":"El-Kogali","year":"2015"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"294","DOI":"10.1177\/1065912907313077","article-title":"Case selection techniques in case study research: a menu of qualitative and quantitative options","volume":"61","author":"Seawright","year":"2008","journal-title":"Polit Res Q"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1100","DOI":"10.1016\/S2214-109X(18)30309-7","article-title":"Developmental disabilities among children younger than 5 years in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016","volume":"6","year":"2018","journal-title":"Lancet Glob Health"},{"key":"ref29","year":""},{"key":"ref30","year":"2022"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"695","DOI":"10.1111\/jar.12852","article-title":"Factors influencing access to early intervention for families of children with developmental disabilities: a narrative review","volume":"34","author":"Sapiets","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Appl Res Intellect Disabil"},{"key":"ref32","article-title":"Inclusive education: an imperative for advancing human rights and sustainable development","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref33","volume-title":"Department of Education. Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage setting the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref34","year":"2015"},{"key":"ref35","year":"2022"},{"key":"ref36","year":""},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"171","DOI":"10.1053\/j.semperi.2015.03.002","article-title":"Current status of newborn screening worldwide: 2015","volume":"39","author":"Therrell","year":"2015","journal-title":"Semin Perinatol"},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"10","DOI":"10.3345\/cep.2021.00248","article-title":"Worldwide national intervention of developmental screening programs in infant and early childhood","volume":"65","author":"Kim","year":"2022","journal-title":"Clin Exp Pediatr"},{"key":"ref39","author":"Samms-Vaughan","year":"2020"},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1016156","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2022.1016156","article-title":"Improving early childhood development in the context of the nurturing care framework in Kenya: a policy review and qualitative exploration of emerging issues with policy makers","volume":"10","author":"Abboah-Offei","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"ref41","year":""},{"key":"ref42","volume-title":"Disability inclusion policy and strategy (DIPAS) 2022\u20132030","year":"2022"},{"key":"ref43","year":"2021"},{"key":"ref44","year":""},{"key":"ref45","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref46","volume-title":"National early intervention longitudinal study (NEILS) final report","author":"Hebbeler","year":"2007"},{"key":"ref47","volume-title":"Monogr Soc Res Child Dev","author":"Hauser-Cram","year":"2007"},{"key":"ref48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e586","DOI":"10.1016\/S2214-109X(21)00030-9","article-title":"The conundrum of a global tool for early childhood development to monitor SDG indicator 4.2.1","volume":"9","author":"Olusanya","year":"2021","journal-title":"Lancet Glob Health"},{"key":"ref49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e20193449","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2019-3449","article-title":"Promoting optimal development: identifying infants and young children with developmental disorders through developmental surveillance and screening","volume":"145","author":"Lipkin","year":"2020","journal-title":"Pediatrics"},{"key":"ref50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"420","DOI":"10.1016\/j.dhjo.2018.01.002","article-title":"Better together: developmental screening and monitoring best identify children who need early intervention","volume":"11","author":"Barger","year":"2018","journal-title":"Disabil Health J"},{"key":"ref51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"437","DOI":"10.4102\/ajod.v7i0.437","article-title":"Parents of children with disabilities: a systematic review of parenting interventions and self-efficacy","volume":"7","author":"Hohlfeld","year":"2018","journal-title":"Afr J Disabil"},{"key":"ref52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"983680","DOI":"10.3389\/fped.2023.983680","article-title":"The potential of COPCA\u2019s coaching for families with infants with special needs in low- and middle-income countries","volume":"11","author":"Akhbari Ziegler","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Pediatr"},{"key":"ref53","volume-title":"Global report on children with developmental disabilities: from the margins to the mainstream","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref54","volume-title":"Early childhood development. UNICEF vision for every child","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref55","volume-title":"Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities","year":"2022"},{"key":"ref56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1317","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(21)01258-7","article-title":"Tracking development assistance for health and for COVID-19: a review of development assistance, government, out-of-pocket, and other private spending on health for 204 countries and territories, 1990-2050","volume":"398","year":"2021","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S34","DOI":"10.1136\/archdischild-2018-315429","article-title":"Accountability for funds for nurturing care: what can we measure?","volume":"104","author":"Arregoces","year":"2019","journal-title":"Arch Dis Child"},{"key":"ref58","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"175","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(22)02368-6","article-title":"Global investments to optimise the health and wellbeing of children with disabilities: a call to action","volume":"401","author":"Olusanya","year":"2023","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref59","year":"2022"},{"key":"ref60","volume-title":"Access to educational and community activities for young children with disabilities","author":"Carlson","year":"2010"},{"key":"ref61","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref62","volume-title":"We all have a voice: disabled children\u2019s vision for change","year":"2023"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Public Health"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1390107\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,19]],"date-time":"2024-06-19T05:26:23Z","timestamp":1718774783000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1390107\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,19]]},"references-count":62,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1390107"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1390107","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-2565"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-2565","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,19]]},"article-number":"1390107"}}