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Research
Diagnostic services for developmental coordination disorder: Gaps and opportunities identified by parentsAffecting one in 20 children, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder impacting a child's ability to learn motor skills. Despite its high prevalence, DCD is under-recognized and under-diagnosed, causing unnecessary frustration and stress for families who are seeking help for their child. This study aimed to understand how parents procure diagnostic services and their perspectives on needed supports and services to improve early identification and diagnosis of DCD.
Research
Does somatosensory discrimination therapy alter sensorimotor upper limb function differently compared to motor therapy in children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trialBesides motor impairments, up to 90% of the children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy (uCP) present with somatosensory impairments in the upper limb. As somatosensory information is of utmost importance for coordinated movements and motor learning, somatosensory impairments can further compromise the effective use of the impaired upper limb in daily life activities.
Research
Genotype and sleep independently predict mental health in Rett syndrome: An observational studyRett syndrome is a genetically caused neurodevelopmental disorder associated with severe impairments and complex comorbidities. This study examined predictors of anxiety and depression in Rett syndrome, including genotype.
Research
A Co-Designed Online Education Resource on Gastrostomy Feeding for Parents and Caregivers to Support Clinical CareChildren with complex needs and severe disability may undergo gastrostomy insertion to support feeding difficulties. Parent education programs are critical components of clinical care pathways but there is little information on parent-reported educational needs. This study describes the collaborative process that yielded a resource to assist parents considering gastrostomy tube placement for their children, and the evaluation of the resource.
News & Events
Participation key to quality of life for kids with disabilityThe Kids Research Institute Australia researchers have called for a greater focus on creating opportunities for children with disability to participate in the community, after finding a clear link between participation and better quality of life.
News & Events
The Kids researchers honoured at Public Health Association AwardsTwo The Kids researchers working to improve the health & wellbeing of Aboriginal children & their families have both been honoured at the PHAA Awards.
News & Events
Five researchers from The Kids awarded Early Career Child Health Researcher FellowshipsFive researchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia have been awarded three-year fellowships with the aim of keeping more WA-based PhD graduates involved in child health research.
Research
The Lived Experience of Parents’ Receiving the Diagnosis of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder for Their ChildCDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, is being diagnosed earlier with improved access to genetic testing, but this may also have unanticipated impacts on parents’ experience receiving the diagnosis. This study explores the lived experience of parents receiving a diagnosis of CDD for their child using mixed methods.
Research
The development, content and response process validation of a caregiver-reported severity measure for CDKL5 deficiency disorderCDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD) is a severe X-linked developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Existing developmental outcome measures have floor effects and cannot capture incremental changes in symptoms. We modified the caregiver portion of a CDD clinical severity assessment (CCSA) and assessed content and response-process validity.
Research
Influences on the trajectory and subsequent outcomes in CDKL5 deficiency disorderThe study investigated the effect of seizure and medication burden at initial contact with the International CDKL5 Disorder Database on subsequent development and clinical severity and compared quality of life among those whose development progressed, remained stable, or regressed between baseline and follow-up.