Billet publié sur Bluesky le 07/01/2026 11:56

Résumé

ABSTRACT Background Children with complex communication needs (CCN) are those who have profound language difficulties or do not use spoken language as their primary means of communication. Having CCN can lead to difficulty accessing and participating in everyday activities. Aims This systematic review aims to estimate the global prevalence of CCN among children with or without autism or intellectual disability (ID). Methods and Procedures We will include observational (cross‐sectional or longitudinal) studies that have reported the prevalence of CCN among children without acquired or physical conditions. Populations, including children, can have (1) no co‐occurring conditions or (2) autism or ID. This protocol for a systematic review has been developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis for Protocols (PRISMA‐P) guideline. Studies published in all languages will be searched in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, ProQuest central, CINAHL, Scopus and through grey literature searches. Retrieved records will be independently screened by two authors, and relevant data will be independently extracted. Random effects model will be fitted to obtain an overall prevalence estimate. Interstudy heterogeneity will be assessed using the I 2 statistic and explored through subgroup analysis. Egger's test and visual inspection of the funnel plot will be used to assess publication bias. Quality appraisal of each included study will be performed independently by two authors using Hoy risk of bias tool, and overall quality of evidence will be assessed using GRADEpro. Conclusions and Implications The findings will provide a global estimate of the prevalence of CCN and a description of the prevalence for different settings or clinical subgroups. This information is needed to optimise resource allocation for assessment and intervention, and to direct future research to fill knowledge gaps, if identified. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS What is already known on the subject Children with CCN are variably described as minimally verbal (MV), nonspeaking or nonverbal (NV). Few prevalence studies have included children with CCN, including studies of autistic children. The reported prevalence of CCN in children varies widely due to the use of different definitions and study exclusions. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge This paper provides a protocol for the first systematic review and meta‐analysis to estimate the global prevalence of CCN in children with and without commonly associated diagnoses. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Global and up‐to‐date prevalence estimates are essential for allocating adequate resources and services for children with CCN and their family. Additionally, determining prevalence direct future research to fill knowledge gaps, if identified.