Parent Education For The Treatment Of Severe Behaviour Problems In Children With Developmental Disabilities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$116,220.00
Summary
Approximately 40% of children with developmental disabilities have severe behaviour problems (e.g., aggression, self-injury, property destruction, and extreme tantrums) (Einfeld and Tonge, 1996). The care of a child with such problems represents a significant burden to parents and society. One of the most promising treatments is functional communication training (FCT), which aims to reduce problem behaviours by improving the child's communication skills. Numerous studies have demonstrated the ef ....Approximately 40% of children with developmental disabilities have severe behaviour problems (e.g., aggression, self-injury, property destruction, and extreme tantrums) (Einfeld and Tonge, 1996). The care of a child with such problems represents a significant burden to parents and society. One of the most promising treatments is functional communication training (FCT), which aims to reduce problem behaviours by improving the child's communication skills. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of FCT (Mirenda, 1997). Wacker et al. (1998) have shown that parents can be taught to use FCT, but these parents received individual consultations, which would seem to limit its practicality. Preliminary results from our current APEX grant suggest that parents can learn to implement this treatment in a group format, which is more practical from a public health perspective. However, it is currently unknown if group training is as effective as individual consultation. In the present application, we aim to compare these two ways of teaching parents how to use FCT. From a total sample of 36, the parents of 18 children will be randomly assigned to the group training format and 18 to the individual format. All parents will receive 12 hours of training on how to use FCT, either as part of a group of 3 families (mothers and-or fathers) in the clinic or on a one-to-one basis in the family home. Pre, post, and follow-up measures of problem behaviours will be used to address the research question: Is group training as effective as individual consultation? If so, we would have demonstrated a more practical way of teaching parents how to implement this evidence-based treatment for child behaviour problems.Read moreRead less
Home Based Rehabilitation To Reduce Falls And Disability In Parkinson Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$805,599.00
Summary
Falls occur in more than half of the 80,000 Australians living with Parkinson disease. This research will examine the extent to which a program of home rehabilitation using exercises, movement strategies and falls education is effective in reducing the number of falls, the injuries from falls and disability. We will also examine the effects of home based rehabilitation on quality of life. We shall compare the outcomes of the integrated rehabilitation home program with a life-skills program.
VicCPchild- Prospective Cohort Study Of Children With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,587.00
Summary
Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in children affecting 1 in 500 young Australians. While the brain lesion is static, the musculoskeletal problems are progressive and require lifelong management (cost of US$946,000 over life per person). Only large prospective population-based studies give a true indication of the incidence of physical problems, determine the pathway(s) to outcome and determine the best pathways to successful treatment and efficient resource allocati ....Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in children affecting 1 in 500 young Australians. While the brain lesion is static, the musculoskeletal problems are progressive and require lifelong management (cost of US$946,000 over life per person). Only large prospective population-based studies give a true indication of the incidence of physical problems, determine the pathway(s) to outcome and determine the best pathways to successful treatment and efficient resource allocation. The broad aim of this project is: This population based cohort study (n - 240) aims to determine the pathway to motor outcome from diagnosis at 18 months to 5 years based on the nature of the brain injury at 24 months (structural MRI of the nature, location and timing of the brain lesion). Secondary Aims: Determine the rate of musculoskeletal deformity (hip displacement, spasticity, muscle contracture). Potential impact of medical co-morbidities (nutrition, epilepsy, respiratory problems) Patterns of participation and HRQOL. Patterns of medical resource use: treatment costs and outcomes. This study will: Allow clinicians to better the likely functional outcomes of children with CP from an earlier age based on the rate and limit of gross motor development and nature and severity of the brain lesion, determine the nature and timing of physical deformities to aid prevention and treatment; provide information on resource use for future planning and organisation of medical and therapy services. This in turn will give more accurate prognostic counseling as well as target areas for early therapy. Our multidisciplinary research group is uniquely placed to conduct this world-first study with access to two entire birth years of children linked to our Victorian Cerebral Palsy Register. Recruitment is conducted at both the Royal Children's Hospital and the Monash Medical centre in order to ensure state wide referral and easy access for families.Read moreRead less
Social Aspects Of Amputation Among An Aging Population In Urban And Rural Victoria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$251,742.00
Summary
In recent years, social scientists have shown increasing interest in how individual and social structural factors inter-relate to produce wellbeing. An associated interest has been the role of social networks and social support for individuals with chronic disease, enabling them to manage ongoing illness or impairment, live fulfilling lives and experience wellbeing. To explore these issues in an Australian context, this project focuses on people who have had amputations from trauma, advanced dis ....In recent years, social scientists have shown increasing interest in how individual and social structural factors inter-relate to produce wellbeing. An associated interest has been the role of social networks and social support for individuals with chronic disease, enabling them to manage ongoing illness or impairment, live fulfilling lives and experience wellbeing. To explore these issues in an Australian context, this project focuses on people who have had amputations from trauma, advanced disease (e.g. cancer) or complications of chronic disease (e.g. diabetes). The study aims to increase our understanding of how people live with particular diseases and health conditions, the impact of these conditions on body image, self-esteem, social relationships and societal participation, and how structural, contextual and environmental factors affect individual functioning and disability. By including people of different gender, ethnicity, age and area of residence, the study is concerned with how life circumstances and socialization (including ideas of gender) influence outcome. The findings will contribute to our knowledge of adaptation and provide information relevant to improved care for people from different backgrounds. The study is significant because of the increase in chronic disease (relative to infectious disease) in contemporary industrialised societies, particularly with an aging population. The policy context of this work is government interest in maximising the independence and wellbeing of people who are aged and-or with chronic disease, while minimising the economic costs. The research is also significant to international agencies and consumer organisations concerned with reducing discrimination against and inequality of people with impairments. The study will contribute to the WHO classification of disability, and efforts to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.Read moreRead less