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IDEA is one of the few population-based resources in the world dedicated to intellectual disability. The IDEA database contains information on all children born in Western Australia since 1983 who have been identified with having an intellectual disability. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder, both with and without intellectual disability, are also included in the database. Deidentified information is accessed from the Department of Communities WA, the WA Department of Education, and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to create the database. IDEA can be linked to other datasets to facilitate research into the determinants, outcomes and service needs of children and adults with intellectual disability. Researchers can apply for such linked data, available in a de-identified format under approval from an ethics committee.

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. 

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. 

The Kids Research Institute Australia is helping scientists across the globe inch their way towards clinical trials which could, at last, provide relief for children and families dealing with CDKL5.

Peter Shelley Jacoby Gorman BA (Hons) MSc BSc (Hons) PhD Biostatistician Honorary Research Associate Peter.Jacoby@thekids.org.au shelley.gorman@

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)/Hyperkinetic Disorder (HD) is linked to increased risks of morbidity, comorbidity and mortality, with higher prevalence in clinical populations. The differential prevalence of ADHD/HD across adult and pediatric clinical populations, influenced by factors such as time trends, sex, age, geographic regions, and comorbidities, has not been systematically assessed.

The 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.

The beginning of a new school year is just around the corner – and with this may come a big change in your and your child’s life.

We want to ensure parents and carers have textbook tips for how to help their children deal with the pressures associated with studying for stressful assessments and for dealing with the results, whatever they may be.

Anxiety is extreme and persistent worry that interferes with daily living and symptoms can include panic attacks, physical fear reactions and attempts to avoid the situation.