Change in Early Disability Identification Rates since COVID-19: Location Matters

Access to early intervention services for children with disabilities depends on early identification efforts. Utilizing the Bioecological Theory of Human Development, which underscores the complex interplay between child development, historical context/time, and several systems, this study examined changes in early disability identification rates within one U.S. state pre- and post-COVID-19 (2015 and 2021; 132 counties) and whether community resources helped contextualize shifts. The weighted average relative change of disability identification rate increased by 19.15% (M = 129.61, range = −204.28–5,497.30), though unequal across counties and cities. Community factors, including population size, minoritized population, and urbanicity, were associated with rate changes. Higher-resourced communities had greater increases in identification rates. Varying investment levels across communities contributed to unequal access to vital developmental resources. Findings inform how we understand the nuanced needs of communities for more strategically-informed policy decisions.