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Discover . Prevent . Cure .

Child Disability

Improving the lives of children with a disability and their families sits at the core of our team.

Around 1 in 10 children have a disability that impacts on their ability to function in the same way as other children.

Sometimes they are born with these disabilities, sometimes they develop after birth, and sometimes they are caused by illness or injury. There are many types of disability, including intellectual, neurological, physical, sensory, and psychological, which can influence how the child thinks, behaves, and develops skills.

Disabilities can create many barriers for children and their families, which can significantly alter their quality of life.

Our vision is that all children impacted by disability and their families will live their best lives. We will support this vision by conducting an evidence- and consumer-informed program of research, underpinned by excellence in study design, analysis, and reporting.

To achieve this vision, we will:

  1. Engage with children with disability and their families across all walks of life to better understand their needs,
  2. Prevent or reduce disability and ensure that our research helps support meaningful and impactful changes,
  3. Engage key stakeholders to improve access to services and influence policy and practice.
  4. Collaborate with the community, health professionals, service providers, researchers, and policy makers.

Team leader

Professor Jenny Downs
Professor Jenny Downs

BApplSci (physio) MSc PhD

Program Head, Development and Disability

Team members (18)

Dr Emma Glasson
Dr Emma Glasson

BPsych BSc (Hons) PhD

Senior Research Fellow

Senior Research Officer

Jacinta Saldaris
Jacinta Saldaris

BSc (Hons), PhD

Senior Research Officer, Child Disability

Kate Dorozenko
Kate Dorozenko

B Psych (First Class Honours), PhD (Psychology)

Senior Research Officer

Senior Research Fellow

Jess Keeley
Jess Keeley

BPsych(Hons), PhD (Psychology)

Research Officer

Peter Jacoby
Peter Jacoby

BA (Hons) MSc

Biostatistician

Clinical Associate Professor Raewyn Mutch
Clinical Associate Professor Raewyn Mutch

MBChB., DipRACOG., Cert.HPRT, FRACP., PhD

Honorary Research Associate

Research Officer

Carolyn Drummond
Carolyn Drummond

B. App Sci (Physio.)

Research Officer

Mohammed Junaid
Mohammed Junaid

BDS, MDS, MFDS RCPS (Glasg.), DDPH RCS (Eng)

Honorary Team Member

Dr Kingsley Wong
Dr Kingsley Wong

MBBS, MPH, MMedStat

Research Officer

Caitlin Gray
Caitlin Gray

BPsych MPH PhD Candidate

Research Assistant and Student

PhD Candidate

Daniel Ta
Daniel Ta

BBiomedSc (Hons)

Reports and Findings

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Associations between genotype, phenotype and behaviours measured by the Rett syndrome behaviour questionnaire in Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with developmental impairments, comorbidities, and abnormal behaviours such as hand stereotypies and emotional features. The Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire (RSBQ) was developed to describe the behavioural and emotional features of RTT.

Using Focussed Ethnography to Observe and Understand the Actions and Interactions of People With Prader-Willi Syndrome When They Exercise at a Community Gym: A Protocol

Exercise for people with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is important for their health and wellbeing and can provide opportunities for community participation. However, they may find it difficult to participate in some contexts, such as community gyms because social and environmental barriers in these settings may compound difficulties caused by physical impairments or intellectual disability.

Investigating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Facebook Delivered, Parent Mediated, Physical Activity Intervention for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) experience difficulties performing fundamental movement skills, resulting in reduced physical activity (PA). Given low PA can impact mental and physical health, improving PA in DCD appears imperative. This study investigates the feasibility of a Facebook delivered, parent mediated, PA intervention for children with DCD.

Cohort profile: The WAACHS Linked Data Study

Despite the volume of accumulating knowledge from prospective Aboriginal cohort studies, longitudinal data describing developmental trajectories in health and well-being is limited.

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