Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Trends Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
By
Sloane J. Freeman
Rosane Nisenbaum
Michael D. Sgro
April 8, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Trends Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Neurodevelopmental disorders Key Mechanisms Impairments in cognitive, behavioral, social, and academic functioning. Target Population Children aged 6 years or younger in Ontario, Canada. Care Setting Pediatric developmental and mental health care, primarily virtual during the pandemic.
Key Highlights
24% of publicly insured and 11% of privately insured children in the US expected to receive a neurodevelopmental diagnosis by age 8. More than 9% of Canadian children aged 4-11 have a neurodisability. Pandemic-related changes affected access to health care and developmental assessments. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
New neurodevelopmental diagnosis defined by 2 diagnostic billing codes at least 30 days apart. Management
Utilization of virtual care billing codes during the pandemic. Monitoring & Follow-up
Monthly rate of new diagnoses per 1000 child-months. Risks
Prenatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 may be associated with neurodevelopmental delays. Patient & Prescribing Data
Children aged 6 years or younger with no prior neurodevelopmental diagnosis.
Shift to virtual care impacted the delivery of developmental assessments.
Clinical Best Practices
Monitor socio-demographic factors such as neighborhood income and rurality in relation to neurodevelopmental diagnoses. Implement regular follow-ups for children eligible for neurodevelopmental assessments. Related Resources & Content
