Researcher(s)
- Ashwin Mhadeshwar, , University of Delaware
- Jung-Mei Tsai, , University of Delaware
- Jacob Corey, , University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Anjana Bhat, Physical Therapy, University of Delaware
Abstract
Children with Developmental Disabilities (DD) often display a variety of challenges that affect their sensorimotor, social communication, cognitive development, as well as their daily functioning. These developmental skills will directly impact their physical and mental well-being, their school performance, and their ability to participate in the community. Using data from 2020-2021 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) conducted by the Child & Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI), we analyzed how physical health (i.e., amount of physical activity, consistency of bedtime/sleep hours, screen time, and participation in sports) was associated with cognitive performance and social skills/participation (executive functioning, school, social, and participation scores) as well as mental health (presence of anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems) in children with DD and typically developing (TD) children. We found that children that partook in more physical activity/sports participation, had less screen time, had more consistent bedtimes, and obtained more sleep had higher executive functioning and school performance scores. More inconsistent bedtime, less participation in sports, and less physical activity was linked to greater prevalence of anxiety and depression in children with DD. These results convey how altered sleep patterns, physical inactivity, lack of sports participation and excessive screen time during the pandemic (2020-2021) may have negatively impacted cognitive/school and social performance/participation as well as mental health of children in general, but especially those with DD who seemed to be more negatively impacted by the pandemic restrictions. Children and caregivers must be aware of the negative impacts of poor sleep and lack of PA/sports participation on the mental, cognitive, and social performance of children with DD. School and community programs/policies are needed to address the aforementioned physical/mental health challenges faced by children with DD.