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The Lived Experience of Parents’ Receiving the Diagnosis of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder for Their Child

CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, is being diagnosed earlier with improved access to genetic testing, but this may also have unanticipated impacts on parents’ experience receiving the diagnosis. This study explores the lived experience of parents receiving a diagnosis of CDD for their child using mixed methods.

Improving clinical trial readiness to accelerate development of new therapeutics for Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome is associated with severe functional impairments and many comorbidities, each in urgent need of treatments. Mutations in the MECP2 gene were identified as causing Rett syndrome in 1999. Over the past 20 years there has been an abundance of preclinical research with some studies leading to human clinical trials.

Initial Validation and Reliability of the CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder Hand Function Scale (CDD-Hand)

Pathogenic variants in the CDKL5 gene result in CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), which is characterized by early-onset epilepsy, severe developmental delay, and often, cortical visual impairment. Validated clinical outcome measures are needed for future clinical trials to be successful. This study aimed to adapt the Rett Syndrome Hand Function Scale for CDKL5 deficiency disorder and evaluate its feasibility, acceptability, content validity, and reliability.

Negative impact of insomnia and daytime sleepiness on quality of life in individuals with the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 deficiency disorder

Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene pathogenic variants result in CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD). Early onset intractable epilepsy and severe developmental delays are prominent symptoms of CDD. Comorbid sleep disturbances are a major concerning symptom for families.

Association between craniofacial anomalies, intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder: Western Australian population-based study

Accurate knowledge of the relationship between craniofacial anomalies (CFA), intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is essential to improve services and outcomes. The aim is to describe the association between CFA, ID and ASD using linked population data.

Epidemiology of Hospital Admissions for Craniosynostosis in Australia: A Population-Based Study

To describe trends, age, and sex-specific patterns of population hospital admissions with a diagnosis of craniosynostosis (CS) in Australia. Population data for hospital separations (in-patient) from public and private hospitals (July 1996-June 2018) were obtained from the publicly available Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) National Hospital Morbidity Database.

Adapting a measure of gross motor skills for individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder: A psychometric study

Validated measures capable of demonstrating meaningful interventional change in the CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) are lacking. The study objective was to modify the Rett Syndrome Gross Motor Scale (RSGMS) and evaluate its psychometric properties for individuals with CDD.

Diagnostic services for developmental coordination disorder: Gaps and opportunities identified by parents

Affecting one in 20 children, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder impacting a child's ability to learn motor skills. Despite its high prevalence, DCD is under-recognized and under-diagnosed, causing unnecessary frustration and stress for families who are seeking help for their child. This study aimed to understand how parents procure diagnostic services and their perspectives on needed supports and services to improve early identification and diagnosis of DCD.

The impact for DCD – USA study: The current state of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in the United States of America

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is among the most under-recognized and under-supported disorders worldwide. The aim of this study was to present a preliminary national study that evaluated the unmet needs of children with DCD in the USA using the Impact for DCD survey.

Stability and change in self-reported risk and resilience factors associated with mental health of siblings of individuals with and without neurodevelopmental conditions over 15 months

Siblings of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) are a minority population at higher genetic and environmental risk of poorer neurocognitive and psychosocial outcomes compared to siblings of individuals without NDCs.