Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Why study neurodevelopmental disorders?

More than 300,000 children and youth in Ontario are living with autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

The symptoms of these disorders – anxiety, depression, compulsive activity, social isolation, to name just a few – place a huge emotional cost on children and their families. The costs to society include lost productivity and potential, plus life-time bills to the medical system. There are few medications to treat these disorders, and those that exist are only partially effective.

Why study different neurodevelopmental disorders together?

Neurodevelopmental disorders are not clear-cut, easy to-segregate conditions. There is often considerable variability in how these disorders are expressed and sometimes individuals can have more than one neurodevelopmental disorder.

POND Network: Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders Network

  • The POND Network aims to understand the unique and common biology across neurodevelopmental disorders, including: autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, Tourette syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and intellectual disability. This network has created a clinical trials network that specializes in childhood neurodevelopmental disorders – a first in Canada – to speed up the development of new and more effective medications and psychosocial interventions.

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  • POND Network – Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders Network

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Neurodevelopmental Disorders Priority Setting Partnership

OBI is thinking differently about the way we do research.

Traditionally, research topics are chosen by researchers. However, researchers may not be fully aware of the issues and uncertainties that matter most to families and patients. This is why we asked people living with neurodevelopmental disorders, their families, carers, and health/education professionals how research can best meet their needs. Specifically, what questions do they have about treatments and interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders?

read full report here

Managing Anxiety Like Never Before – a Wearable for Autism

Up to 80% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience significant anxiety. A big challenge in managing this anxiety is that many children with ASD may not be able to recognize and communicate their anxiety signs.

Now imagine a wearable technology that can accurately measure and communicate the anxiety levels. It’s a wonderfully useful idea. But taking a great idea from concept to product can be a long and tedious process. OBI’s funding programs and collaborations are specifically targeted at shortening gaps in this translational process.

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The Impact of Our Work

Neurodevelopmental Disorders Priority Setting Partnership

OBI is thinking differently about the way we do research.

Traditionally, research topics are chosen by researchers. However, researchers may not be fully aware of the issues and uncertainties that matter most to families and patients. This is why we asked people living with neurodevelopmental disorders, their families, carers, and health/education professionals how research can best meet their needs. Specifically, what questions do they have about treatments and interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders?

read full report here