Abstract
Background: Neurodevelopmental conditions (NDC) are behavioural and cognitive disorders that involve significant difficulties in the acquisition and execution of specific intellectual, motor, language, or social functions. Global estimates of NDC have increased in recent decades but, in Aotearoa, there is a lack of current prevalence estimates for many NDC. This study aimed to generate up-to-date, population-level prevalence estimates of NDC in Aotearoa using linked health service data.
Methods: Health service datasets within the Integrated Data Infrastructure were used to calculate rates (per 1,000) of NDC among 0–24-year-old children and young people from the 2021/22 Aotearoa estimated resident population. NDC included Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism, intellectual disability (ID), foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), communication or language disorders (CLD), specific learning disorders, and motor disorders.
Results: Approximately 42 per 1,000 children and young people were recorded as having an NDC. Observed rates were highest for ADHD (27 per 1,000) and Autism (13 per 1,000) and lowest for motor disorders and FASD (<1 per 1,000). The age at which individuals first received support or treatment for NDC ranged from a median age of 2 years for FASD to 7 years for ADHD and ID. Overall, 25% of children and young people had multiple co-occurring NDC, most commonly combinations of ADHD, Autism, specific learning disorders, and ID.
Conclusion: The global increase in prevalence of NDC has resulted in higher demand for health, social, and education services, which these services are struggling to meet. The prevalence estimates presented here will be used to inform policy makers on the requirements for improved access to assessment, treatment, and supports, particularly given the significant proportion of children and young people who have support needs in multiple domains.