Scoping Review: Social Determinants of Young Children’s Participation in the United States

Abstract

Optimal child development is supported by services, policies, a social determinants of health (SDOH) frame, and meaningful participation (as defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health-Children and Youth [ICF-CY]). This scoping review describes the social determinants that may affect the participation of young children aged 0 to 3 years with developmental disabilities (DD) in the United States. Scoping review of studies including U.S. children with DD aged 0 to 3 years, from 2000 to 2016, were used. 5/979 studies met inclusion criteria. Two researchers independently coded studies to align them with both ICF-CY and SDOH. Studies found determinants of participation stemming from the child (e.g., individual) and multiple contexts: immediate, community, and policy. The emergent literature continues to primarily focus on child determinants but suggests participation of young children with DD is affected by social determinants stemming from the community and policy contexts. The literature underrepresents children from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds.

Participation of children with disabilities across the life course: using socio‐ecological perspectives to guide research and practice

“…3 Further, trainees and current researchers and professionals should be trained in how to use these approaches to produce practice and research endeavours that can more fully consider participation determinants across the life course. [2][3][4] Certainly, real limitations abound; data sets do not have the variables we desire and there is limited funding and time, among other issues. However, we will perpetuate patterns of lower participation, disengagement, and inequitable opportunities for optimal development and participation among children with disabilities if we fail to frame the solutions from a systems perspective, partnering with families at every stage and level.…”

“…A socio-ecological approach, as defined above, can highlight how such participation might be differently structured. [2][3][4] Is there something about public library operations and policy that drives meaningful participation for all children? Could school-district policies that integrate inclusion opportunities in education, sports, and recreational activities change the extent to which children with disabilities get together with friends?…”

“…race/ ethnicity and racism, health literacy, family engagement, immigration, transportation, and school-district policy) front and center in designing data collection, analysis models, interpretation of results, program and policy planning, and involving family and professional perspectives. 4 Likewise, measuring and designing systems that consider the life course is crucial. Doing so can highlight whether the extent of participation, using multiple determinants at different levels, varies over time (see, for example, Public Health England, Health matters: Preventiona life course approach) Longitudinal initiatives, such as the Millennium Cohort Study, are uniquely positioned to consider participation of children with and without disabilities.…”

“…The authors note that children with disabilities have a lower frequency of participation, except when visiting a library. A socio‐ecological approach, as defined above, can highlight how such participation might be differently structured . Is there something about public library operations and policy that drives meaningful participation for all children?…”

Growth in Focused Topics: Children and Youth

“…The first article is entitled Scoping Review: Social Determinants of Young Children's Participation in the United States (Rosenfeld, Kramer, Levin, Barrett, & Acevedo-Garcia, 2018). The authors conducted a scoping review regarding the social determinants of participation for children (0-3 years of age) with developmental disabilities.…”