The Hidden Gap Project
A community-informed early identification intervention for neurodivergent children
Parents often notice early differences in communication, learning, behavior, or sensory
processing long before a system does.
Existing identification frameworks frequently minimize or misinterpret these concerns,
especially for Black and Brown children and for girls, whose presentations of
neurodivergence are historically underrepresented in clinical research and educational
training.
The result is a “hidden gap” between caregiver knowledge and system recognition.
This project is in the Design Phase
The Intervention
The Hidden Gap Project is a co-designed, community-informed model that treats caregiver knowledge as valid evidence and embeds it into early identification pathways.
It includes four integrated components:
Caregiver-Led Insight Collection
Families document early developmental patterns, concerns, and lived observations that formal assessments often miss.
System Translation Framework
Caregiver insights are structured into practical guidance for educators, clinicians, and behavioral health providers.
Early Identification Toolkit
Observation guides, culturally responsive screening prompts, and early referral decision supports for schools and clinics.
Pilot Implementation Model
A regional pilot with community partners to assess feasibility, usability, and impact on early recognition and support.
Pilot Focus
Black and Brown families of neurodivergent children in the pre-diagnostic or early-concern stage, implemented through partnerships with schools, clinics, and community organizations
in Kentucky and neighboring states.
What Success Looks Like
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Shorter time from initial caregiver concern to system recognition or referral
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Increased caregiver confidence and validation
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Greater access to early supports
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Improved school and clinical responsiveness to caregiver input
Significance
This work aims to shift how systems recognize and respond to neurodivergence in minority populations before diagnosis, not after it.
By positioning caregiver knowledge
as essential data, the project seeks to reduce diagnostic disparities and strengthen pathways to support.