Emotional challenges in neurodivergent children and young people: Progress and open questions for research and practice

TL;DR

This paper discusses emotional challenges in neurodivergent children and young people, highlighting the need for better understanding and inclusive approaches.

Contribution

The paper emphasizes the importance of transdiagnostic approaches and lived experience in addressing emotional challenges in neurodivergent populations.

Findings

Emotional challenges in neurodivergent children include depression, anxiety, and self-harm.

Candidate factors include intolerance of uncertainty and emotional regulation issues.

Abstract

This Editorial introduces the March 2026 issue of JCPP Advances, marking the journal's sixth year with 15 impactful articles spanning key topics in child and adolescent mental health. A recurring theme across several articles is the investigation of emotional challenges—encompassing depression, anxiety, and self‐harm—particularly in the context of neurodivergence. These articles advance understanding of candidate cognitive‐affective drivers of emotional challenges, emphasise the role of social and contextual factors, and highlight the importance of research employing a transdiagnostic approach and informed by lived experience. Here, we underscore critical implications for assessment, prevention, and intervention, and reflect on outstanding challenges and future directions for research and clinical practice.

Emotional challenges are common in neurodivergent children and young people, but their developmental pathways remain poorly understood.Several articles in this issue advance understanding of candidate cognitive‐affective and contextual factors underlying emotional challenges in this population, including intolerance of uncertainty, cognitive functioning, and emotional regulation vs. burden.Findings highlight the need for more inclusive, transdiagnostic approaches to identifying and supporting emotional challenges in neurodivergent children and young people.

Emotional challenges are common in neurodivergent children and young people, but their developmental pathways remain poorly understood.

Several articles in this issue advance understanding of candidate cognitive‐affective and contextual factors underlying emotional challenges in this population, including intolerance of uncertainty, cognitive functioning, and emotional regulation vs. burden.

Findings highlight the need for more inclusive, transdiagnostic approaches to identifying and supporting emotional challenges in neurodivergent children and young people.