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Kids Rehab Research WA

Kids Rehab WA is an integrated team of clinicians and researchers who deliver and research therapies for children with acquired or congenital neurological impairments, leading to improved outcomes for children and their families.

Our research team is integrated into Kids Rehab WA, which is a state-wide, integrated clinical, research, education, and training unit, with headquarters at Perth Children’s Hospital.

Kids Rehab WA is a specialist Paediatric Rehabilitation Service which provides diagnosis, assessment, and management of children and adolescents with disabilities who require interdisciplinary goal-focused care to ensure they achieve the best level of function. We work in partnership with The Kids Research Institute Australia and University partners as a fully integrated clinical and research department, ensuring that our treatments are informed by the latest scientific advancements. 

Kids Rehab WA offers research-informed services to children and youth with acquired or congenital neurological impairments, to improve functional outcomes.

The research program exists to:

  • Generate, evaluate, and translate research findings.
  • Build capacity in the field by training the next generation of Clinicians and Clinical Researchers.

Kids Rehab WA recognises that the experiences of children, their families, clinicians, and the community play a critical role in shaping our research. Our team proudly works alongside our well-established consumer reference group, ensuring the voices of children and families are central to everything we do.

Research Impact in the last 5 years

  • Published 113 peer reviewed journal articles that have been cited 1710 times to date
  • $22.9 million in active, competitive research funding
  • Over 100 national and international partners and collaborators
  • 100% of projects led by Kids Rehab WA involve consumers
  • Translating 5 International Clinical Practice Guidelines into clinical workforce
  • 30% reduction in the rate and severity of CP, from 1 in 500 to 1 in 700 children as per the 2018 ACPR Report
  • Network for early detection of CP commenced across rural and remote WA.

Team leader

Professor Jane Valentine
Professor Jane Valentine

MBBs MRCP ( Edin ) FRACP FARM PhD

Program Head, Diabetes, Metabolism & Clinical Sciences

Dr Ashleigh Thornton
Dr Ashleigh Thornton

BSc (Hons), PhD, KTPC

Co-Head, Kids Rehab Research WA

Team members (16)

Director, Research

Kathryn Malley
Kathryn Malley

BSc(Nutr), GradDip(Diet), GradCert (HlthAdm), GradCert (PM)

Research Operations Coordinator

Associate Professor Alison Salt
Associate Professor Alison Salt

MBBS MSc FRACP FRCPCH

Honorary Research Associate

Honorary Research Associate

Honorary Research Associate

Honorary Research Associate

Honorary Team Member

Honorary Research Associate

Sue-Anne Davidson

Sue-Anne Davidson

Manager, Kids Rehab WA Honorary Health Professional Associate

Dr Katherine Langdon

Dr Katherine Langdon

Consultant Paediatrician, Kids Rehab WA Honorary Health Professional Associate

Dr Simon Garbellini

Dr Simon Garbellini

Senior Occupational Therapist, Kids Rehab WA Honorary Health Professional Associate

Dr Caroline Alexander

Dr Caroline Alexander

Lead Postdoctoral Fellow, Curtin University Honorary Research Associate

Dr Anna Gubbay

Dr Anna Gubbay

Head of Department, Kids Rehab WA Team Member

Nadine Smith

Nadine Smith

Senior Physiotherapist, Kids Rehab WA Team Member

Sam Armstrong

Sam Armstrong

Senior Physiotherapist, Kids Rehab WA Team Member

Dr Renae Dayman

Dr Renae Dayman

Consultant Paediatrician, Kids Rehab WA Team Member

Kids Rehab Research WA projects

Featured projects

Genomic testing pathways for precision health in cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is a diagnosis based on clinical signs and not aetiology or pathology, with only ~50% of children receiving a clinical diagnosis in the first year of life; limiting the opportunity for intervention where maximal neuronal plasticity may occur.

Active Strides-CP: Randomised trial of Intensive Rehabilitation (combined Intensive gait and cycling training) for children with moderate to severe bilateral cerebral palsy

Active Strides-CP is an RCT assessing a new treatment for children with moderate to severe CP, combining intensive gait and cycling training to simultaneously address motor and participation outcomes.