Organizational perspectives and diagnostic evaluations for children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Aim To clarify organizational perspectives on diagnostic evaluations for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), with the goal to enhance interorganizational collaboration and improve accessibility. Method Focus groups with expert stakeholders in Flanders, Belgium, were organized. Data were analyzed in a continuous, comparative method with researcher and data triangulation, and a member check validation. Results Fifty-nine people participated in six focus groups. Organizations had no shared vision on diagnostic evaluations of NDD. An interdisciplinary team approach was considered essential. All stakeholders agreed that a diagnostic evaluation is an iterative process along the trajectory of the child. Interpretation Diagnostic evaluations of NDD should be conceptualized as an integrated process of the child's care trajectory, differentiating needs-based goals in each phase, and requiring an interdisciplinary team approach. This conceptualization will support a health systems model, allowing interorganizational collaboration to optimize available capacity and increase accessibility.