Differences in Demographic Characteristics of Children and Families Between Children With and Without Developmental Delays in Taiwan

Abstract

Family-centered care is essential for children with developmental delays (DD). This study examined the demographic characteristics of children and families within Taiwan’s early intervention (EI) system to provide context-specific insights for practice. We conducted a secondary analysis of a large clinical cohort of 2,835 Taiwanese children aged 6 to 85 months who underwent their first comprehensive developmental evaluations between 2018 and 2022. Comparisons were made between typically developing and DD groups, focusing on developmental domains and specific diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disability (ID). Significant differences were found in age, sex, family structure, and parental characteristics. Cognitive, speech, and motor delays were more common in younger children, while socioemotional delays, ADHD, and ID were more prevalent in older cohorts. Reflecting cultural norms, extended family households were highly prevalent. Furthermore, lower parental education was associated with cognitive/speech delays and ID, whereas higher paternal education was observed in the ASD group, suggesting potential disparities in diagnostic pathways. Findings suggest potential differences in service access and diagnostic concerns’ priorities. To improve outcomes, EI systems must implement equity-oriented, culturally responsive, and family-centered strategies that actively engage diverse family structures and address socioeconomic barriers to service access.