16 Comments
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Rebecca Berlin's avatar

Thank you for sharing this important research on the the impact of the pandemic on child development. I fear that this is an impact that we will be facing for the next 18 years as this generation moves through the early childhood and K-12 education system. The other aspect of this is the large number of children who were already identified with the delays and disabilities who did not receive the level of services they needed, as well as those children who were awaiting evaluations that were postponed, delayed, and missed.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD's avatar

Yes I think that is very possible.

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD's avatar

Great question! I don’t know of any research comparing the two screening tools. The CDC is more of a checklist while the ASQ-3 will give you a score that gives you a quantitative measure of your child’s risk for developmental delay.

Brad Kelley's avatar

Really interesting read - what stood out for me was that although there was no overall link, some were affected worse than others. I was working in a job that was heavily involved with the response to the pandemic, and it was so clear as the pandemic evolved that health inequalities meant that the poorest in our society were being hardest hit by it, both directly and indirectly. You allude to this; it’s just such a shame that people who are already up against it in terms of how our society works (or doesn’t work) have been further hamstrung by something way beyond their control.

Kay's avatar

So happy I'm able to listen to your newsletter! Thank you!

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD's avatar

So glad you found it useful!

Lauren's avatar

This is for older children, but I know SPARK conducted several parental surveys over the course of the pandemic around access to services, mental health, etc. Ah, here's the abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33387233/ This is in relation to autism but I'm guessing many of the findings would hold true for other disabilities.

Thank you so much for all of your research!

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD's avatar

Oh thank you so much!

Sri Juneja's avatar

Thank you this was very helpful! Do you have any info on the differences between CDC vs ASQ-3? I know various practitioners follow either one and just curious to understand where the differences lie. It would also be interesting to learn how developmental milestones differ by country! As always, thanks for putting together these excellent posts 😊

Dr. Cara Goodwin, PhD's avatar

Great question! I don’t know of any research comparing the two screening tools. The CDC is more of a checklist while the ASQ-3 will give you a score that gives you a quantitative measure of your child’s risk for developmental delay.

anna moore's avatar

Really insightful piece—this highlights concerns many parents quietly worry about but don’t always have clear answers to. I like how it balances research with practical steps without being alarmist. It’s reassuring to see experts focusing on both emotional and cognitive development after such a disruptive period. By the way, I recently came across a useful Robux to USD calculator at https://devexcalculator.vercel.app that helps creators better understand their earnings, which is interesting in the broader context of kids growing up in digital economies too.

Sara William's avatar

It brings up an important reflection on how unusual early environments can influence development over time. Many kids are still finding their rhythm socially and emotionally, and that adjustment deserves patience. It’s interesting how having clear structure and planning—similar to using a https://wowclassictalentcalculator.vercel.app can make progress feel more intentional and less overwhelming. With awareness and steady support, there’s real potential for these children to thrive. Conversations like this help keep that support moving forward.

Carter James's avatar

This made me laugh because parenting really is a full-time decoding job Some days it feels like you need a manual just to understand what they actually mean. I joke that problem-solving skills come from everywhere, even from tools like https://arknightsrecruitmentcalculator.vercel.app

when your brain is already in puzzle mode. Posts like this are such a fun reminder that we’re all just translating as we go.

Lilly James's avatar

This question really resonates—so many little ones grew up during a time of disrupted routines and limited social cues. It feels less about something being “wrong” and more about how differently they had to adapt early on. I’ve noticed that framing uncertainty with clearer decision-making tools can help adults support kids better, kind of like using https://ktctradecalculator.vercel.app to think through options instead of guessing. With patience, consistency, and better guidance, most of these kids will likely find their footing just fine.

Camely's avatar

This topic really hits home—those early years were full of disruption, and it’s no surprise we’re still seeing emotional and developmental ripple effects now. Kids are resilient, but they also reflect the environments we build around them. I’ve noticed similar patterns when communities share practical resources and structured guidance, like this https://constructioncalculatorosrs.vercel.app which shows how clarity and planning can reduce stress. Support, patience, and the right tools can make a big difference over time.