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Mental health difficulties among trans and gender diverse young people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD): Findings from Trans PathwaysRecent research highlights an overlap of gender diversity and autism spectrum disorders (ASD); however, data on individuals who are trans and also on the autism spectrum are largely from clinical samples and may not be representative of individuals who are trans with ASD in the general population. In addition, there is scant literature on the mental health of these individuals and their experiences in accessing gender-affirming care.
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Twenty-Five Year Survival of Children with Intellectual Disability in Western AustraliaTo investigate survival up to early adulthood for children with intellectual disability and compare their risk of mortality with that of children without intellectual disability.
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Developmental Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnant Rats Does Not Induce PreeclampsiaPreeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder characterized by hypertension. Epidemiological studies have associated preeclampsia with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring, such as autism and schizophrenia. Preeclampsia has also been linked with maternal vitamin D deficiency, another candidate risk factor also associated with autism.
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Expanding the clinical picture of the MECP2 Duplication syndromePeople with two or more copies of MECP2 gene, located at Xq28, share clinical features and a distinct facial phenotype called MECP2 Duplication syndrome.
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Exploring the Experience of Seeking an Autism Diagnosis as an AdultEmerging research suggests that seeking an autism diagnosis as an adult is usually difficult and time-consuming but brings relief once a diagnosis is made. This study explored the experience of the pathway to an autism diagnosis during adulthood for adults living in Australia.
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Addressing challenges in gaining informed consent for a research study investigating falls in people with intellectual disabilityThis study describes how an informed consent process was developed for people with intellectual disability and how it is working in a current study
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A Survey of Autistic Adults from New Zealand on the Autism Diagnostic Process During Adolescence and AdulthoodThe diagnostic experiences of autistic adults in New Zealand have not been investigated and little is known globally about autistic adults' satisfaction with the autism diagnostic process. This study describes the diagnostic experiences of 70 autistic adults living in New Zealand and explores how these experiences are related to satisfaction during three stages of the diagnostic process. The results show that autistic adults were reasonably satisfied with the early query and diagnostic assessment stages, but were dissatisfied with the post-diagnostic support stage, with significant unmet needs. Dissatisfaction during the post-diagnostic support stage was also related to satisfaction during previous stages and poor coordination of supports. Suggestions are made on how to improve the autism diagnostic pathway for autistic adults in New Zealand.
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Brief Report: Burden of Care in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Intellectual DisabilityMothers of children with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability have higher rates of treatment episodes for psychiatric disorders
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Parent-reported Early Atypical Development and Age of Diagnosis for Children with Co-occurring Autism and ADHDAutism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often co-occur. This survey of 288 New Zealand parents of children diagnosed with autism, ADHD, or both conditions, examined the relations between age of diagnosis and early atypical development, the age specialist consultation was needed and types of specialists seen.
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A fine balance and a shared learning journey: Exploring healthcare engagement through the experiences of youth with Neuromuscular DisordersExplored Youth with Neuromuscular Disorders perceptions of health, health behaviors and healthcare engagement
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The relationship between maternal psychiatric disorder, autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability in the child: a composite pictureResearch conducted by this laboratory has previously published four papers examining the relationship between maternal psychiatric disorders and having a...