Early childhood services and outcomes for Albertan children with disabilities
Date
2019-07-19
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PolicyWise for Children & Families
Abstract
Early support for children with disabilities is thought to be more impactful than later support. This report examined how preschool and kindergarten children (3 to 5 years old) with disabilities’ early service use related to their educational achievement and mental health service use outcomes. Analyses tested for differences in outcomes between children based on their special education disability type and severity and public service use patterns. This report found that (1) children with severe disability were more likely to be below educational expectations and to use mental health services as well as that these outcomes differed based on type of disability, and (2) non-educational and educational service use patterns predicted educational achievement and mental health service use. In addition, this report found that families in poorer neighbourhoods were less likely to use family disability supports when their child with a severe disability was not meeting educational expectations than families in richer neighbourhoods. These findings provide policy-relevant evidence that service providers can use to plan early services to support children with disabilities.
Description
This report describes young children (3 to 5 years old) with disabilities’ educational achievement and mental health in grade 1 to 3 of elementary school using administrative data from 2005/06 to 2010/11.
Keywords
academic achievement, special education, mental health, disabilities, children, big data, longitudinal, social services, health services, administrative data, data linkage
Citation
Child and Youth Data Laboratory. (2019). Early childhood services and outcomes for Albertan children with disabilities. Edmonton, AB: PolicyWise for Children & Families.