Search
Research
Intellectual disabilities and autism among children with congenital heart defects, Western Australia, 1983–2010Children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) are at higher risk of developing an intellectual disability. However, severity of intellectual disabilities among this group of children are largely unknown. Our objective was to determine the risk of intellectual disability (ID), ID severity, and autism among children with CHDs.
Research
Patterns, trends, and factors influencing hospitalizations for craniosynostosis in Western Australia. A population-based studyUnderstanding hospital service use among children with a diagnosis of craniosynostosis is important to improve services and outcomes. This study aimed to describe population-level trends, patterns, and factors influencing hospitalizations for craniosynostosis in Western Australia.
Research
A Comparison of Inertial Measurement Units and Overnight Videography to Assess Sleep BiomechanicsThe assessment of sleep biomechanics (comprising movement and position during sleep) is of interest in a wide variety of clinical and research settings. However, there is no standard method by which sleep biomechanics are measured. This study aimed to (1) compare the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the current clinical standard, manually coded overnight videography, and (2) compare sleep position recorded using overnight videography to sleep position recorded using the XSENS DOT wearable sensor platform.
Research
Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire in Children and Adults With Rett Syndrome: Psychometric Characterization and Revised Factor StructureRett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder associated with multiple neurobehavioral abnormalities. The Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire (RSBQ) was developed for pediatric RTT observational studies. Because its application has expanded to adult and interventional studies, we evaluated the RSBQ's psychometric properties in six pediatric (n = 323) and five adult (n = 309) datasets.
Research
Motor problems in autism: Co-occurrence or feature?Motor features of autism have long been acknowledged by clinicians, researchers, and community stakeholders. Current DSM-5 and ICD-11 guidelines allow clinicians to assign a co-occurring diagnosis of developmental [motor] coordination disorder for autistic individuals with significant motor problems.
Research
Is sleep captured during a standard daytime EEG sufficient to diagnose Electrical Status Epilepticus in SleepElectrical Status epilepticus of sleep (SES) is an EEG pattern where there is significant activation of epileptiform activity in NREM sleep. A spike wave index (SWI) of > 80-85% is often labelled as typical SES. We aimed to explore if sleep during a standard daytime-EEG, as compared an overnight-EEG, was adequate to diagnose ESES.
Research
Does gastrostomy improve the lives of children with severe disability and their families?Approximately 13,000 children in Australia live with moderate to severe intellectual disability.
Research
Towards evidence based care for Rett syndrome: a research model to inform management of rare disordersHelen Jenny Leonard Downs MBChB MPH BApplSci (physio) MSc PhD Principal Research Fellow Head, Child Disability +61 419 956 946 08 6319 1763
Research
Management of oral and dental problems in Rett syndrome: a narrative review of the literatureReview of the available dental literature on assessment and management of the oral manifestations of Rett syndrome