Research Articles
Diagnosis & Interventions
This area of research focuses on the tools that are used to diagnose children with cerebral palsy and the various interventions and potential treatments.
Outcome Measures
This area of research focuses on the various outcome measures that can be used to assess function and determine the effectiveness of various interventions.
Family
This area of research focuses on family. Every family is unique, with its own values and attitudes, and it is the child’s family who are the experts on their child’s abilities and needs. As the core part of a child’s life, healthcare providers must understand the family’s concerns and work with them to help the child.
Participation
At home, school and in their communities, children and youth take part in a wide range of activities, such as playing games and team sports, doing arts and crafts, joining a youth group, or going to the movies with friends. Participation in everyday activities plays a key role in child and youth development.
Physical Activity
Physical activity plays an important role in the health, well-being and quality of life of all individuals. Childhood is a critical time to stay active in order to prevent the onset of obesity and to support children's health-related behaviours.
Transitions
Children and youth with disabilities have complex journeys as they make many transitions in their lives, which can include: the transition to elementary school, the transition to high school, the transition to postsecondary education, gaining more autonomy from parents, transition to the workforce, transition to independent living, and the transition from institutional setting (e.g. a hospital) to community life. One area of particular focus is the transition to adulthood.
Developmental Trajectories
Some studies can try to predict the course of development for children with disabilities as they grow; the outcomes can include not only functional outcomes, but also educational, psychosocial and emotional outcomes.
Quality of Life
A child's quality of life encompasses their physical, social and psychological dimensions of health. Quality of life (QoL) is a multi-dimensional, holistic construct and may also include dimensions of emotional, social, productive and material well-being, interpersonal relations, personal development, self-determination, social inclusion, and individual rights.