Grant: Operating Grant: ECI grants in Maternal, Reproductive, Child & Youth Health

Background: Many children (about 1 child out of 20) have motor delays that are sometimes seen as "minor" and are not immediately explained by a specific diagnosis. These children are often underserved by existing health and rehabilitation services even though we know that they are at risk of developing important negative outcomes in the long run. The most recent scientific evidence indicates that motor delays can be effectively addressed via early interventions supporting families and stimulating the child's development. Some researchers have proposed that such interventions could be efficiently and conveniently delivered online but no patient-centred, interactive online intervention has been formally trialed in Canada for children with motor delay and their families. Objectives: The goal of this study is to determine whether an online intervention can support families of children with motor delay. We will determine whether the online intervention can improve the child's motor skills and the family's well-being, while exploring the factors that may influence the way the intervention could be included into existing health services. Description: We will recruit 100 families of children with motor delay, 3 to 8 years of age, who are not yet receiving public rehabilitation services. These children will be referred to the study by a health professional. Families will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1) control group (usual health care) or 2) intervention group (access to health professionals via webinars, group and private discussions, and regular one-on-one virtual meetings). This study, conducted in Quebec, will be led by researchers, telerehabilitation experts, decision-makers and patient advocates. Relevance: This study will evaluate an innovative, convenient and accessible intervention providing assistance for an important yet underserved population of children and their families.