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Intellectual disability and autism prevalence in Western Australia: impact of the NDIS

Estimates of the prevalence of intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder may vary depending on the methodology, geographical location, and sources of ascertainment. The National Disability Insurance Scheme in Australia was introduced progressively from 2016 to provide individualized funding for eligible people with a significant and permanent disability.

Risk of otitis media in offspring following maternal prenatal stress exposure

There is limited but consistent evidence that suggests prenatal factors, including maternal stress, may contribute to susceptibility for otitis media. We aimed to determine the effect of multiple life stress events during pregnancy on risk of acute and recurrent otitis media in offspring at three and five years of age. 

Parent-reported outcome measures evaluating communication in individuals with rare neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review

Communication 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. 

Perspectives on the essential skills of healthcare decision making in children and adolescents with intellectual disability

Involvement in healthcare decisions is associated with better health outcomes for patients. For children and adolescents with intellectual disability, parents and healthcare professionals need to balance listening to a child's wishes with the responsibility of keeping them safe. 

Who suffered most? Parental stress and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

This study examines gender and socioeconomic inequalities in parental psychological wellbeing (parenting stress and psychological distress) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Background: The dramatic shift of childcare and schooling responsibility from formal institutions to private households during the pandemic has put families under enormous stress and raised concerns about caregivers’ health and wellbeing.

Communication of individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder as observed by caregivers: A descriptive qualitative study

CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a genetically caused developmental epileptic encephalopathy that causes severe communication impairments. Communication of individuals with CDD is not well understood in the literature and currently available measures are not well validated in this population. Accurate and sensitive measurement of the communication of individuals with CDD is important for understanding this condition, clinical practice, and upcoming interventional trials. 

The NDIS at ten years: designing an equitable scheme for the next decade

Jenny Downs BApplSci (physio) MSc PhD Head, Child Disability 08 6319 1763 Jenny.Downs@thekids.org.au Head, Child Disability Areas of research

Comparing home polysomnography with transcutaneous CO2 monitoring to laboratory polysomnography in children with neuromuscular disorders

Clinical 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.

Parental Experiences of Having a Child Diagnosed With Septo-Optic Dysplasia

Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is a congenital disorder affecting 1 in 10,000 births, defined by the presence of at least two of a clinical triad, consisting of optic nerve hypoplasia, midline brain defects and pituitary hormone deficiency. Children with SOD may have vision impairment, hormonal deficiencies, developmental disorders, or epilepsy, but the clinical picture is highly variable. The complexity of SOD, its interplay with family factors, and the need for multiple specialty commitments can make the diagnosis period a challenging time for families.

Caregiver-reported meaningful change in functional domains for individuals with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy: A convergent mixed-methods design

To investigate how caregivers of children with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and severe developmental impairments describe meaningful change for functional domains and why it is important.