Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs in Early Childhood Education: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The need for cross-disciplinary collaboration to meet the diverse needs of young children in Early Childhood Education and Care [ECEC] is evident. When multi-disciplinary professionals work together collaboratively, children with special educational needs are more likely to receive child-centred, holistic, and integrated support. This scoping review systematically (1) identified the research evidence available on cross-disciplinary collaboration initiatives that include inclusive ECEC settings as one collaborating party; (2) compared and clarified key terminologies and definitions around collaboration; (3) categorised the enablers and barriers reported towards cross-disciplinary collaboration within ECEC; and (4) explored the preliminary outcomes of cross-disciplinary collaboration. A total of 20 articles were included. Findings contribute to the emerging field of cross-disciplinary collaboration in ECEC, offering valuable insights for future research and implementation efforts aimed at optimising outcomes for young children.