Search
Research
Access to Oral Healthcare in Individuals With Rett Syndrome: A Qualitative Study of Parent PerspectivesIntellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are varied in their nature and presentation. Barriers to oral healthcare are reported in studies of general populations with IDD but these may not reflect the barriers experienced by individuals with rare disorders such as Rett syndrome.
Research
Comparing home polysomnography with transcutaneous CO2 monitoring to laboratory polysomnography in children with neuromuscular disordersClinical utility of home polysomnography in children with neuromuscular disorders is limited by lack of evidence that sleep-disordered breathing can be reliably identified and inability to diagnose hypoventilation because carbon dioxide is not measured.
Research
Plasma Cortisol Levels in Infants With Respiratory Distress During Different Phases of Neonatal Transport: A Pilot Prospective Observational Before-After StudyThe transport of sick newborn infants with respiratory distress leads to unwanted stress at time of physiological instability. There is dearth of studies to evaluate these stress levels. This pilot prospective observational before-after study aimed to evaluate the plasma cortisol levels (as surrogate marker of stress) in infants with respiratory distress during different phases of neonatal transport.
Research
Parent-reported outcome measures evaluating communication in individuals with rare neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic reviewCommunication impairments are a leading concern for parent caregivers of individuals with rare neurodevelopmental disorders. Clinical trials of disease modifying therapies require valid and responsive outcome measures that are relevant to individuals with RNDDs. Identifying and evaluating current psychometric properties for communication measures is a critical step towards the selection and use of appropriate instruments.
Research
Process evaluation of a randomised controlled trial intervention designed to improve rehabilitation services for Aboriginal Australians after brain injury: the Healing Right Way TrialHealing Right Way (HRW) aimed to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal Australians with stroke or traumatic brain injury by facilitating system-level access to culturally secure rehabilitation services. Using a stepped-wedge randomised controlled trial design, a two-pronged intervention was introduced in four rural and four urban hospitals, comprising cultural security training for staff and training/employment of Aboriginal Brain Injury Coordinators to support Aboriginal patients for 6-months post-injury.
Research
Deletions in the CDKL5 5 untranslated region lead to CDKL5 deficiency disorderPathogenic variants in the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene are associated with CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a severe X-linked developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.
Research
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men: A discussion to be hadFetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a lifelong disability of varying severity that occurs among individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol. Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Australians, the effects of colonisation and ongoing racism could increase the risk of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

News & Events
Children with disabilities 3 times more likely to be maltreated but risk varies by disability typeA new study has found children with disabilities are 3 times more likely to be maltreated compared to other children but that risk varies by type of disability.

Guide our sibling research!
Research
Down syndrome or Rett syndrome in the family: Parental reflections on sibling experienceSiblings of children with intellectual disability have unique family experiences, varying by type of disability.