research

developmental disability & rehabilitation

summary

Our research focuses on children with disabilities, particularly young people with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, the autism spectrum disorders, developmental delay, intellectual disability and rarer conditions such as Rett syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome. For all of these children and their families, our research program has two important aims: to learn more about the causes of childhood disability and to improve treatments to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and their families.

Rehabilitation research focuses on determining optimal interventions to ensure best possible outcomes for children that have injuries such as acquired brain injury and spinal cord injury, and for children that have long term conditions such as cerebral palsy, particularly following medical and surgical interventions. Our ultimate goal is to improve the health, functioning and quality of life of young people with disabilities.   

group leader(s)

Dinah _reddihough  A/Professor Dinah Reddihough
  Development Disability & Rehabilitation
  Royal Children's Hospital
  Flemington Road
  Parkville
  Victoria 3052

  T  +61 3 9345 5898
  E  dinah.reddihough@rch.org.au

   group leader biography

current research projects

Project 1: The Victorian Cerebral Palsy Register

The Victorian Cerebral Palsy Register collects information about people born since 1970 with cerebral palsy and now contains data on nearly 5000 individuals with cerebral palsy, making it one of the largest databases of this kind both nationally and internationally. The Register is extremely important in enabling us to determine how the incidence of cerebral palsy has been changing over time in Victoria. It also provides information about causes and risk factors and is the foundation for many other projects, both to increase knowledge and to determine optimal interventions in the field of cerebral palsy. To date, 41 publications have arisen from the Register and 34 projects have been completed. 

Project 2: Improving outcomes for children with poor saliva control

Poor saliva control is a significant problem for children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy and intellectual disability, impeding successful integration into schools and community programs. We are continuing our efforts to improve the treatment of this problem.  A new measuring tool has been developed, the DrI Scale (Drooling Impact Scale). Various interventions, including the use of medication, orthodontic devices and surgical treatment have been evaluated. Following a successful randomised controlled trial of Botulinum toxin injected into the salivary glands, a further study of this treatment option is in progress.

Project 3. Fluoxetine for the treatment of troublesome repetitive behaviours in children and adolescents with autism: a randomised double blind placebo-controlled trial

The primary objective of this study is to compare the relative safety and efficacy of low dose Fluoxetine and placebo in the treatment of repetitive behaviours in children and adolescents aged between 8 and 17 years with a known diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped behaviours causing functional impairment. A secondary objective is to ascertain whether other factors determine response to Fluoxetine treatment, such as the presence of co-morbid anxiety, or a child's serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) genotype).

Project 4. Multisite interdisciplinary research program on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ myalgic encephalomyelitis. 

This program will develop consistent diagnostic criteria, a comprehensive outcome measurement system and management strategies for children/adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Project 5. Best practice approach to dystonia management in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.

Despite widespread use, there is little evidence to guide clinicians in the use of oral medications for treatment of dystonia in persons with cerebral palsy. This research aims to develop clinical care guidelines and includes a Cochrane review.

team members

  • Giuliana Antolovich - HONORARY FELLOW
  • Gordon Baikie - HONORARY FELLOW
  • Kathleen Bakker - PhD Student (UoM Paeds)
  • Josephine Barbaro - Contractor
  • Melinda Barker - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Christie Bolch - PhD Student
  • Janeen Bower - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Charuta Dagia - Research Officer
  • Natasha Dean - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Stacy Dimitracopoulos - RESEARCH AFFILIATE
  • Elspeth Froude - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Jane Galvin - PhD Student (UoM Paeds)
  • Sue Greaves - PhD Student
  • Kerrod Hallett - HONORARY FELLOW
  • Flora Haritou - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Adrienne Harvey - Clinical Education Research Officer
  • Lyndal Hickey - RESEARCH ASSISTANT
  • Deb Houston - RESEARCH AFFILIATE
  • Linsey Howie - Research Associate
  • Christine Imms - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Anne Kissane - PhD Student (UoM Physio)
  • Steven Kloprogge - Clinical Trials Coordinator
  • Sarah Knight - RESEARCH OFFICER
  • Tess Lionti - Research Assistant
  • Catherine Marraffa - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Rachael Mcdonald - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Elaine Meehan - RESEARCH ASSISTANT
  • Trina Phuah - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Sue Reid - Senior Research Officer
  • Anne Rickards - HONORARY RESEARCH FELLOW
  • Adam Scheinberg - HONORARY FELLOW MANAGER
  • Sarah Sherwell - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Michele Spreckley - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Janet Walstab - Research Assistant
  • Christine Westbury - Research Assistant
  • Katrina Williams - HONORARY FELLOW

publications

  • Baker A., Galvin J., Vale L., Lindner H. Restraint of children with additional needs in motor vehicles: Knowledge and challenges of paediatric occupational therapists in Victoria, Australia. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (2011)
  • Donlau M., Imms C., Mattsson GG., Mattsson S., Sjors A., Falkmer T. Children and youth with myelomeningocele's independence in managing clean intermittent catheterization in familiar settings. ACTA PAEDIATRICA 100 (3) : 429 - 438(2011) PubMed
  • Galvin J., Hewish S., Rice J., Mackay MT. Functional outcome following paediatric stroke. DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROREHABILITATION 14 (2) : 67 - 71(2011) PubMed
  • Galvin J., Levac D. Facilitating clinical decision-making about the use of virtual reality within paediatric motor rehabilitation: Describing and classifying virtual reality systems. DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROREHABILITATION 14 (2) : 112 - 122(2011) PubMed
  • Galvin J., McDonald R., Catroppa C., Anderson V. Does intervention using virtual reality improve upper limb function in children with neurological impairment: A systematic review of the evidence. BRAIN INJURY 25 (5) : 435 - 442(2011) PubMed
  • Imms C. Bracing and splinting interventions in the upper limbs of people with cerebral palsy. DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY 53 (4) : 293 - 294(2011) PubMed
  • Leonard JM., Cozens AL., Reid SM., Fahey MC., Ditchfield MR., Reddihough DS. Should children with cerebral palsy and normal imaging undergo testing for inherited metabolic disorders?. DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY 53 (3) : 226 - 232(2011) PubMed
  • Lionti T., Reid SM., Rowell MM. Prader-Willi Syndrome in Victoria: mortality and causes of death. JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH (2011)
  • Macdonald E., Dadds MR., Brennan JL., Williams K., Levy F., Cauchi AJ. A review of safety, side-effects and subjective reactions to intranasal oxytocin in human research. Psychoneuroendocrinology 36 (8) : 1114 - 1126(2011) PubMed
  • Reddihough D. Cerebral palsy in childhood. AUSTRALIAN FAMILY PHYSICIAN 40 (4) : 192 - 196(2011) PubMed
  • Reddihough DS., Reid SM., Plover C. Evaluation of glycopyrrolate in the treatment of chronic drooling. Degenerative Neurological and Neuromuscular Disease 1 : 3 - 7(2011)
  • Reid SM., Carlin JB., Reddihough DS. Classification of topographical pattern of spasticity in cerebral palsy: A registry perspective. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 32 (6) : 2909 - 2915(2011) PubMed
  • Reid SM., Carlin JB., Reddihough DS. Rates of cerebral palsy in Victoria, Australia, 1970 to 2004: has there been a change?. DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY 53 (10) : 907 - 912(2011) PubMed
  • Reid SM., Carlin JB., Reddihough DS. Using the Gross Motor Function Classification System to describe patterns of motor severity in cerebral palsy. DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY 53 (11) : 1007 - 1012(2011) PubMed
  • Reid SM., Modak MB., Berkowitz RG., Reddihough DS. A population-based study and systematic review of hearing loss in children with cerebral palsy. DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY 53 (11) : 1038 - 1045(2011) PubMed
  • Zdolsek HA., Olesch C., Antolovich G., Reddihough D. Intrathecal baclofen therapy: Benefits and complications. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability 36 (3) : 207 - 213(2011) PubMed

competitive funding

Equity Trustees
National Health & Medical Research Council
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation
The Marian & E.H.Flack Trust
The Menzies Foundation
The William Henry & Vera Ellen Houston Memorial Trust Fund

collaborations & affiliations

Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine  Australasian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre CanChild, Canada
Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Sydney, NSW
La Trobe University
University of Melbourne