Solving the puzzle of childhood disabilities
Solve, a new research project to uncover the cause of disabilities including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and autism, was launched by Sir Gustav Nossal in March.
Eight per cent of children aged 0 -14 have a disability, with many children requiring life long care and intervention. Solve, a joint initiative of the Murdoch Childrens and the Royal Children's Hospital, aims to better understand, prevent and treat disabilities, as these conditions can drastically affect a child's quality of life.
The launch coincided with a new questionnaire to measure the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy, which is the most common childhood physical disability.
Developed in collaboration Deakin University, the world first questionnaire will be given to parents and children before and after treatment, to determine which treatments are most effective at improving a child's quality of life.
"This information will ensure we give these children the best possible care to ensure they have a happy, healthy childhood ," said study leader A/Professor Dinah Reddihough.