Improvement in the Adaptation and Wellbeing of Children with Neuromotor Disabilities

Dear Colleagues,

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative calls for a new global rehabilitation community because of the increased global need for rehabilitation services. Investments in infectious disease, cardiovascular health, and prenatal care have lowered mortality rates across the course of life, but they have simultaneously increased the numbers of individuals living with acute and chronic disabling conditions, especially neuromotor disabilities. Children with disabilities may suffer from major developmental consequences that can alter the entire trajectories of their development across the lifespan. Unfortunately, similar investments have not been placed in rehabilitation and educational services, research, and social supports that maximize community enablement, health, and wellbeing for individuals with neuromotor disabilities. A historical emphasis on combatting infectious diseases within the framework of development assistance for health has created structures that disenfranchise other health needs, like those of children with disabilities. The WHO has also found that children with disabilities are less likely to finish their education and account for 33% of children out of school often because of limited support services. Against this background, improvement in the adaptation and wellbeing of children with neuromotor disabilities is of great significance, deserving much research and intervention.

With the knowledge that the largest gaps in the available rehabilitation, education, and support services occur in lower-resourced communities, including low- and middle-income countries as well as under-served communities in countries with higher resources, this Special Issue aims to highlight authors and researchers seeking to address these challenges. Specifically, we welcome the submission of related reviews (meta-analyses), empirical research, and intervention studies that aim to highlight areas of specific need and work, aiming to improve neuromotor disability services and maximize community enablement for the millions of individuals living with childhood-onset disability. A multidisciplinary perspective (e.g., rehabilitation, psychology, medicine, and education) is encouraged, and we hope that the articles within this Special Issue will provide inspiration for intervention practice and contribute to improving the adaptation and wellbeing of children with neuromotor disabilities.

Dr. Stephanie C. DeLuca
Dr. Cindy Brown Dodds
Prof. Dr. Patricia Coker-Bolt
Guest Editors

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• social support and educational interventions
• brain injuries
• cerebral palsy
• neuromotor disorders/disabilities
• neuromuscular conditions
• genetic diagnosis
• early acquired brain injury
• stroke
• preterm birth
• effective community supports to build and create system change
• participation of children with disabilities
• pediatric education for rehabilitation practitioners
• adaptation and wellbeing of children with neuromotor disabilities