Nursing Practices for Young Children with Developmental Delay and Stigma: An Integrative Review

Developmental delay can affect children’s later learning and functioning, while stigma may discourage families from seeking or continuing support. This integrative review synthesized evidence on nursing-related practices for children aged 0-6 years with developmental delay and examined how stigma affects families’ access to care. Following Whittemore and Knafl’s framework, we searched nine international and Thai databases for English- or Thai-language sources published from 2015 to 2025. Nineteen evidence sources met the criteria. Empirical studies were appraised with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and findings were synthesized thematically. Five themes emerged: early identification and screening; stigma-related effects on children and families; family-centered caregiver support; individualized developmental care and respectful communication; and coordinated referral and follow-up. Reports described benefits of nurse-led education and developmental monitoring, while stigma was associated with distress, social withdrawal, and unmet care needs. Nursing care should combine routine developmental monitoring with respectful communication, caregiver coaching, and active referral follow-up. Because the evidence was diverse and often focused on autism, findings should be applied cautiously to other developmental conditions.