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Evaluation of the Child and Parent Centre Program in Western Australia 2015-2021

This evaluation examines a range of indicators concerning student and community outcomes over a seven-year operational period from 2015 to 2021, as well as the satisfaction of parents and carers.

Comparing Web-Based Mindfulness With Loving-Kindness and Compassion Training for Promoting Well-Being in Pregnancy: Protocol for a Three-Arm Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Promoting psychological well-being and preventing distress among pregnant women is an important public health goal. In addition to adversely impacting the mother's health and well-being, psychological distress in pregnancy increases the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes, compromises infant socioemotional development and bonding, and heightens maternal and child vulnerability in the postpartum period. Mindfulness and compassion-based interventions show potential for prevention and early intervention for perinatal distress.

Wellbeing study

Burns are a common cause of emergency presentations, and most burn injuries happen to children and adolescents.

Researchers present at national mental health conference

The Society for Mental Health Research conference was held in Sydney in early November, 2024.

Major milestone for Early Moves; a key sub-project of ORIGINS investigating early signs of learning difficulties in babies

Ground-breaking WA-led study, Early Moves has hit a major milestone, with 3,000 participants successfully recruited over a four-year period.

ORIGINS hits the Daily Mail

Dr Michael Mosley discusses ORIGINS in The Daily Mail

A Pilot Study Delivering Physiotherapy Support for Rett Syndrome Using a Telehealth Framework Suitable for COVID-19 Lockdown

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a genetically caused neurodevelopmental disorder associated with severe disability. We assessed the feasibility of a telehealth program supporting gross motor skills in RTT. Five girls with RTT were assessed and a home-based exercise program developed in response to functional goals. Families then participated in monthly Skype sessions for 6 months, guided by a physiotherapist to monitor progress and adjust the program as necessary.

Using a trauma informed practice framework to enhance understanding of and identify support strategies for behavioural difficulties in young people with Prader-Willi syndrome

Behavioural support for young people with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is necessary in home and school environments. The Trauma Informed Practice (TIP) framework has been used to support young people with complex behavioural needs in school settings. To identify parent and professional perspectives on behavioural challenges experienced by young people with PWS and strategies for supports, to inform understanding of how they are aligned with the TIP framework.

The oral and written narrative language skills of adolescent students in youth detention and the impact of language disorder

Unmet language and literacy needs are common among young people who are involved with youth justice systems. However, there is limited research regarding the functional text-level language skills of this population with regard to narrative macrostructure (story grammar) and microstructure (semantics and syntax) elements. In this study, we examined macrostructure and microstructure elements in the oral and written narrative texts of 24 adolescent students of a youth detention centre. The students, who were aged 14- to 17- years, were all speakers of Standard Australian English, and 11 (46%) students met criteria for language disorder (LD).

More than a good night's sleep: why a preterm baby's body clock may unlock the secret to life-long health

A simple set of eye masks and ear plugs – an inexpensive solution explored in a successful pilot study by The Kids Research Institute Australia, together with the Child and Adolescent Health Service – could hold the key to better outcomes for our tiniest bubs. Now, a nationwide clinical trial is testing the idea