One size does not fit all: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of Canadian youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic

TL;DR

This study explores how Canadian youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities experienced the pandemic, highlighting both challenges and positive outcomes.

Contribution

The study provides direct insights from youth with NDD on pandemic impacts, emphasizing variability in experiences and the role of gender identity.

Findings

Youth with NDD experienced significant disruptions in education, healthcare access, and social connections during the pandemic.

Both positive and negative experiences were reported across education, mental health, and societal participation.

Gender identity was found to influence access to disability and healthcare services.

Abstract

Youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to health and socioeconomic factors and system level disruption of essential supports. To date, few studies have engaged directly with youth with NDD to understand how they were been impacted by the pandemic. The aim of this study was to uncover experiences of youth with NDD during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purposive sampling was used to recruit Canadian youth (age 18–30, inclusive) with NDD. Participants were provided with the option of participating in a written (online) or verbal (Zoom) interview. Deductive coding and inductive analysis were used to develop themes.

Forty youth participated in an interview. We discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on participants in five key areas: education and academic performance, access to disability and healthcare services, social connectedness, participation in society, and mental health. Within these areas, both positive and negative experiences were reported. A secondary finding emerged related to the impact of gender identity on access to services.

Our study highlights the need for policy approaches that are flexible and responsive to the variability of needs among Canadian youth with NDD moving forward.