Search
Research
Hospitalisation for oral health-related conditions in children with intellectual disability in Western Australia: a population-based cohort studyHelen Leonard MBChB MPH Principal Research Fellow +61 419 956 946 helen.leonard@thekids.org.au Principal Research Fellow Areas of research expertise
IDEA (Intellectual Disability Exploring Answers) Database
Research
International CDKL5 Disorder DatabaseHelen Jenny Leonard Downs MBChB MPH BApplSci (physio) MSc PhD Principal Research Fellow Head, Child Disability +61 419 956 946 08 6319 1763
Research
Caregivers' Perceptions of Clinical Symptoms, Disease Management, and Quality of Life Impact in Cases of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Like 5 Deficiency Disorder: Cross-Sectional Online SurveyCyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is an ultrarare genetic condition causing developmental epileptic encephalopathy characterized by seizures and motor and intellectual disabilities. No disease-modifying therapies are available, and treatments focus mainly on symptom management to improve quality of life.
Research
The perspectives of autistic adolescents and their parents on sleep strategies for insomniaAutistic adolescents are vulnerable to sleep difficulties, with up to 80 % experiencing sleep problems, most commonly insomnia. Little is known about how autistic adolescents are involved in their own sleep treatment, and their depth of knowledge about their sleep difficulties. The aims of this study were to investigate autistic adolescent and parent perspectives of experiencing and managing insomnia, and what factors influence the development of these perspectives on insomnia and treatment.
Research
Quality of life beyond diagnosis in intellectual disability – Latent profilingTo compare quality of life (QOL) across diagnoses associated with intellectual disability, construct QOL profiles and evaluate membership by diagnostic group, function and comorbidities.
Research
‘People don't trust those pieces of paper that are provided’: A qualitative study of cultural planning and outsourced out-of-home care services in Western AustraliaAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be removed at high rates from their families by child protection services, placing them at elevated risk of adverse long-term life outcomes. Cultural connection in out-of-home care is essential for mitigating the impacts of trauma from removal, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that cultural planning is rigorously undertaken. This article explores the provision of cultural plans in an era where out-of-home care services are outsourced by government, but where government holds onto the responsibility for developing cultural plans for children in care.
Research
Investigating associations between birth order and autism diagnostic phenotypesBirth order effects have been linked to variability in intelligence, educational attainment and sexual orientation. First- and later-born children have been linked to an increased likelihood of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, with a smaller body of evidence implicating decreases in cognitive functioning with increased birth order.
Research
Caregiver-reported meaningful change in functional domains for individuals with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy: A convergent mixed-methods designTo 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.
Research
What I Wish I Had Known: Examining Parent Accounts of Managing the Health of Their Child With Intellectual DisabilityAppropriate support for the health of children with an intellectual disability by parents and healthcare professionals is pivotal, given the high risk of chronic conditions. However, there is limited research that has collected important insights from parents on their learnings for supporting their child's evolving healthcare needs.