This study aimed to understand how a transitional support system can help children with NDD/D to minimize the behavioural and emotional challenges generated by transitions when visiting a treatment
centre. In order to comprehend children with NDD/D, parents/caregivers, and health professionals perspectives, this study relied on qualitative and quantitative research methods. Firstly, observations helped to determine the correlation between transitions and challenging behaviours/emotions when visiting the treatment centre. Secondly, literature review provided evidence-based resources about children’s development, neurodevelopmental disorders and disabilities, parents/caregivers’ perspectives, children’s treatment centres, and health professionals’ role. Thirdly, semi-structured interviews promoted the knowledge of lived experiences and perspectives about treatment centres environments. Finally, a co-design session supported the identification of processes and the impact
level of transitions throughout the visit to the treatment centre.

This study concluded that visiting a treatment centre is a two-phase process characterized with a series of steps and transitions that present different levels of behavioural and emotional challenges in children with NDD/D. Additionally, it identified that each step in the process should keep an adequate level of connectivity, continuity, and consistency to be effective and promote positive experiences for children with NDD/D and their parents/caregivers. Finally, the development of a transitional support system for children with NDD/D can help to create a secure and comfortable environment that will enhance better treatment results and well-being for them and their parents/caregivers.