Understanding disability

understanding disability
 
Around eight per cent of children in Australia live with a disability. At the Telethon Institute our focus is on understanding the causes of disability, so they can be prevented.

That’s what we did with neural tube defects (NTD) like spina bifida.  Our researchers were part of the international collaboration that identified that taking the vitamin folate in the months before conception would reduce the risk of an NTD by up to 70 per cent.  We’ve now advocated for the mandatory fortification of food with folate so that these health benefits are available to all families.

Our focus on disability also includes our ground-breaking work on cerebral palsy and extensive research projects in Rett syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and birth defects.
 
We are looking at the rare disorder Rett syndrome, collecting unique information from families throughout Australia and the world. Read more>>

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a preventable condition yet little is known about the prevalence of it in Australia. Read more>>
 
We're looking at the second most common birth defect in Western Australia. It's called hypospadias and affects one in every 118 West Australian boys each year. Read more>>
 
The Institute maintains the WA Autism Register which serves as a primary resource to researchers, clinicians and service providers. We are also leading new research into the causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) .  Read more>>
 
Our Intellectual Disability Exploring Answers (IDEA) database enables research into the causes and prevention of intellectual disability.  Read more>>
 
The Institute manages the WA Cerebral Palsy Register which has been in existence for 30 years. Read more>>
Last updated 7 July 2010