Search

Objectives To report on knowledge translation strategies and outcomes from the implementation of the early detection guidelines for cerebral palsy (CP) in a state-wide tertiary early intervention (EI) service and investigate the impact of social determinants on clinical services.Design Retrospective longitudinal cohort study.Setting The Western Australia tertiary paediatric EI service.Participants EI clinicians, consumers and children using the EI service.Outcome measures Knowledge translation strategies including consumer perspectives, clinician training and Communities of Practice (CoP) guided implementation. We measured changes in referral number and age, delivery of early detection and intervention following the implementation of the guidelines. Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), appointment non-attendance (DNA) rates, remoteness and socioeconomic quintiles were used to measure social determinants of health using negative binomial (Incidence Rate Ratios, IRR) and logistic regression (Odds Ratios, ORs).Results Ten consumers participated in Focus Groups, 100 clinicians were trained and 22 clinicians established a monthly CoP. Referrals increased fourfold to 511 children. Corrected gestational age at referral decreased from a median of 16.1 to 5.1 months (p

Background: Siblings of children with intellectual disability have unique family experiences, varying by type of disability. Methods: Parents of children with Down syndrome (156) or with Rett syndrome (149) completed questionnaires relating to sibling advantages and disadvantages, experiences of holidays and recreation, and perceived availability of parental time. Qualitative responses were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Positive personality traits, an optimistic outlook, enhanced skills, and rich relationships were strong and consistent parental perceptions for siblings in both disability groups. Parents of children with Rett syndrome were more likely to rank themselves lower on time availability, and to report sibling difficulties with social engagement and family holidays. Conclusions: Parental responses appeared to be influenced by disability type, and reflective of child capabilities. Perceptions of sibling experience should be supplemented by data collected directly from siblings to fully understand their unique perspective, and the ways in which their experiences could be enhanced.