Effectiveness of social skills training for children with autism. Our industry partner, Aspect Australia, is one of the world's largest providers of educational and other services for people with autism. The demonstration of effectiveness of the program in Aspect classes will likely lead to widespread use and benefit of the program in the education sector nationally and internationally. This in turn would lead to potential lessening of disability in children with autism with improvements in thei ....Effectiveness of social skills training for children with autism. Our industry partner, Aspect Australia, is one of the world's largest providers of educational and other services for people with autism. The demonstration of effectiveness of the program in Aspect classes will likely lead to widespread use and benefit of the program in the education sector nationally and internationally. This in turn would lead to potential lessening of disability in children with autism with improvements in their mental health and significant cost savings to the community.Read moreRead less
Molecular and antibody analysis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of fetal and placental cells. CMV is a beta herpesvirus with many unknown molecular mechanisms associated with cellular infection. The virus infects placental cells in vivo, although pathogenesis of viral damage to these cells has been extremely difficult to study in vitro. We have commenced a study to i) demonstrate the molecular accompaniments of infection of placental cells in vitro, ii) determine the genotypic characteristics ....Molecular and antibody analysis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of fetal and placental cells. CMV is a beta herpesvirus with many unknown molecular mechanisms associated with cellular infection. The virus infects placental cells in vivo, although pathogenesis of viral damage to these cells has been extremely difficult to study in vitro. We have commenced a study to i) demonstrate the molecular accompaniments of infection of placental cells in vitro, ii) determine the genotypic characteristics of congenital CMV infections, in collaboration with Abbott Diagnostics, and iii) produce an in vivo model of CMV infection to demonstrate the pathogenesis of cellular injury. The combination of molecular expertise at UNSW with monoclonal antibody expertise from Abbott Diagnostics mean this project is unique worldwide.Read moreRead less
Age at first birth, mode of conception and adjustment to parenthood. The trend to delayed childbearing is well-established, multiply determined and unlikely to change in the short term. This study will provide contemporary Australian evidence on the experience of becoming a parent at different ages, naturally and through assisted conception, for Australian men and women. Both risk and protective factors for older first-time parents will be identified, thus informing policy and services that can ....Age at first birth, mode of conception and adjustment to parenthood. The trend to delayed childbearing is well-established, multiply determined and unlikely to change in the short term. This study will provide contemporary Australian evidence on the experience of becoming a parent at different ages, naturally and through assisted conception, for Australian men and women. Both risk and protective factors for older first-time parents will be identified, thus informing policy and services that can better support Australian families with planning and rearing children. A key outcome will be a Parenting Decision-Aid to provide evidence-based reader-friendly information about the positives and negatives of first-time parenthood at different ages.Read moreRead less
Psychosocial and economic impacts of rare diseases on Australian children, families and health professionals. Rare childhood diseases have enormous impacts on children and families; health services, and health professionals. This project will enable Australia to lead the international research effort by using a coordinated approach to study the impacts of rare diseases in order to improve psychosocial, health and economic outcomes for children and families.
Characteristics, trends, co-admissions and service needs of women admitted to residential parenting services in the year following giving birth in New South Wales. This project will examine the physical, psychological and demographic characteristics of women who use the residential parenting services provided by Tresillian and Karitane in New South Wales in twelve months following giving birth. Findings from this project will inform the design and delivery of health services to better meet the n ....Characteristics, trends, co-admissions and service needs of women admitted to residential parenting services in the year following giving birth in New South Wales. This project will examine the physical, psychological and demographic characteristics of women who use the residential parenting services provided by Tresillian and Karitane in New South Wales in twelve months following giving birth. Findings from this project will inform the design and delivery of health services to better meet the needs of women into the future.Read moreRead less