Developmental Disorders Strongly Affect Young Children from Migrant Families
Developmental disorders in children, which affect the brain and its functions, can durably disrupt growth. They manifest as motor, cognitive, social, or emotional difficulties. A recent analysis reveals that these disorders are particularly common among children from migrant or refugee families living in wealthy Western countries.
Among preschool-aged children from immigrant backgrounds, coordination and movement disorders affect between 4.6% and 29.8% of cases. Vision or hearing problems affect nearly 20%, with a higher prevalence among girls than boys. Language and speech delays affect between 5.8% and 18.2% of children, with boys being more frequently affected. Intellectual disabilities, which are less common, range from 0.8% to 7.4%.
Autism, one of the most studied disorders, has an average prevalence of 28% among these children, according to available data. In some cases, it is accompanied by an intellectual disability, with rates ranging from 0.22% to 19.2%. These figures highlight significant gaps compared to the general population, where autism affects approximately 1% to 2% of children.
The reasons for these differences are multiple. Migrant families often face obstacles in accessing care and diagnoses. Language, cultural, or economic barriers delay early detection. Additionally, assessment tools are not always adapted to the diversity of origins and languages. Children of migrants may also experience more difficult living conditions, such as limited access to education or stimulating environments, which exacerbates risks.
Undetected developmental disorders can lead to serious consequences: academic failure, social isolation, professional difficulties, or mental health issues. Early intervention, however, improves cognitive, motor, and social skills. It also reduces costs for families and society.
This analysis highlights a glaring lack of precise data. Few studies focus on children from migrant or refugee backgrounds, and those that do use varied methods, making comparisons difficult. Researchers call for more rigorous work, with standardized tools and representative samples. They also emphasize the need to better train healthcare professionals to identify these disorders in populations with diverse profiles.
Public authorities could take action by strengthening systematic screenings starting at school entry. Tools adapted to cultural and linguistic differences would facilitate diagnosis. The involvement of interpreters and greater awareness among practitioners of the realities faced by migrant families are also essential. These measures would help reduce inequalities in access to care and improve the future of these children.
Credits
Source Study
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-026-00571-z
Title: Prevalence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Among Preschool Children of Migrants and Refugees in High-Income Western Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Journal: Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Authors: Kh Shafiur Rahaman; Caroline Mills; Resom Berhe Gebremariam; James Rufus John; Mythily Subramanium; Kanchana Ekanayake; Valsamma Eapen; Amit Arora