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International Rett syndrome study: InterRett

Helen Jenny Leonard Downs MBChB MPH BApplSci (physio) MSc PhD Principal Research Fellow Head, Child Disability +61 419 956 946 08 6319 1763

The impact of child self-regulation difficulties on parents: A qualitative study

The capacity for children to self-regulate is an important developmental task of early childhood, with caregivers playing an integral role in self-regulation development. While caregivers' emotions and behaviors are known to impact child self-regulatory capacity, the impact of child self-regulation difficulties on parents is less understood. 

Functional skills in MECP2 duplication syndrome: developmental dynamics and regression

MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) is an ultrarare, X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder that is poorly understood in terms of its natural history and phenotypic variability. There is limited information on how individuals with MDS acquire, retain or lose fundamental functional skills (gross motor, purposeful hand function and communication) - that of which this study aimed to better characterise in the largest case series to date.

Healthcare SAVVI: Exploring health literacy and parents' experiences in supporting the health of children with intellectual disability

Research on the health literacy of parents with children with intellectual disability is limited. Understanding parents' healthcare skills and needs is essential for improving children's health and developing effective support. In this study we aimed to (1) explore the health literacy skills of parents that enabled them to support the health needs of their child with intellectual disability and the factors influencing these skills, and (2) identify opportunities to support parent health literacy.

Caregiver-reported quality of life in individuals with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and other severe neurodevelopmental encephalopathies

Information on factors contributing to quality of life (QOL) informs meaningful patient-centred care. We evaluated factors influencing QOL in individuals with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) and other severe neurodevelopmental encephalopathy conditions using hypothesis-free regression tree analysis.

Difficulty in Keeping Teeth Clean and Its Impact on Oral Health in Cerebral Palsy: Evidence From a New Zealand Cohort

Children with cerebral palsy face challenges in maintaining oral hygiene; data on their oral health practices and outcomes are limited.

Mothers with intellectual disability and their children in Western Australia

Helen Leonard MBChB MPH Principal Research Fellow +61 419 956 946 helen.leonard@thekids.org.au Principal Research Fellow Areas of research expertise

Multi-site validation of a suite of clinical outcome measures for clinical trial readiness in the CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder

Helen Jenny Peter Leonard Downs Jacoby MBChB MPH BApplSci (physio) MSc PhD BA (Hons) MSc Principal Research Fellow Head, Child Disability

The natural history of the MECP2 Duplication disorder: Australian surveillance and plans for development of an international register

Helen Jenny Leonard Downs MBChB MPH BApplSci (physio) MSc PhD Principal Research Fellow Head, Child Disability +61 419 956 946 08 6319 1763

The Sibling Project

The Sibling Project focuses on children, adolescents and emerging adults who have a sibling with a disability, investigating their mental health, relationships and quality of life.