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.