From Early Signs to Paradigm Shift: How the CoMOVE Network is Transforming Child Neurodevelopment
What happens when researchers stop viewing early child development through isolated medical specialties and start building a unified, cross-border network? The answer is CoMOVE—an ENLIGHT Thematic Network initiative pioneering a paradigm shift in how Europe detects neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in children under four.
Current diagnostic pathways for conditions like autism or ADHD are often delayed, costly, and fragmented. Crucially, early motor signs—one of the earliest observable indicators in infants—are frequently overlooked. Recognizing this critical gap, researchers across Ghent University, University of Groningen and Uppsala University joined forces to build a transdiagnostic, interdisciplinary framework centered on motor behavior.
Building the Network
What began as an ambitious idea materialized into an ENLIGHT Thematic Network (ETN), bringing together principal investigators and researchers spanning movement science, developmental science, pediatric neurology, and pediatric physiotherapy.
The vision was clear: build a model where clinical expertise and academic depth meet real-world policy and practice. Soon after securing initial support, the team expanded, bringing in postdoctoral expertise in child and adolescent psychiatry, alongside PhD candidates and an advisory board connected directly to advocacy and policy groups.
Driven by Action, Measured by Reach
Rather than keeping research behind academic paywalls, the CoMOVE team immediately launched open-access initiatives to foster a Europe-wide community:
- The CoMOVE Webinar Series: Open to clinicians, students, and researchers, the series launched with immediate international traction. Its inaugural sessions have already drawn hundreds of participants across Europe, fostering active dialogue between researchers and frontline practitioners.
- Educational Integration: By embedding these sessions into an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) in Pediatric Rehabilitation, the team directly bridges frontline research with higher education for future health professionals.
- Cross-Border Research: The network is currently executing a multi-country mapping review of developmental surveillance policies across Europe. To ensure maximum transparency and scientific rigor, the team is pre-registering the review on the Open Science Framework (OSF) and submitting its protocol to BMJ Open.
Changing the Policy Landscape
CoMOVE’s ultimate goal goes far beyond academic publications. By organizing a European seminar to unveil their multi-country mapping findings, the team aims to establish a consensus-driven roadmap for policy harmonization and double the number of stakeholders actively engaged in early developmental follow-up across Europe.
Through persistent collaboration, CoMOVE demonstrates what becomes possible when researchers leverage the ENLIGHT alliance to break out of institutional silos—turning shared passion into scalable, life-changing research.