The Centre for Developmental Health (CDH) is a joint venture between Curtin University of Technology and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.  CDH aspires to identify and understand the pathway mechanisms that lead to greater social, civic and economic participation of individuals and populations. CDH aims to (1) conduct high quality, nationally and internationally recognised research in fields related to developmental health: (2) apply research findings to guide healthy public policy across sectors to improve the health of children, adolescents and families; train the next generation of researchers; and advocate for research and for children's health and wellbeing Strategies to achieve these aims include (1) coordinating and enhancing multidisciplinary research and policy and planning advice in the field of developmental health; (2) developing national and international links in relevant academic and policy areas of developmental health; (3) developing links with agencies and facilities impacting developmental health in Western Australia, Australia and internationally; and (4) assisting staff in related areas to increase their research activity in support of the developmental health and well-being agenda.

2008 Western Australian Child Development Study
Zubrick SR, Lawrence D, Mitrou F, De Maio, J.

This project covers the planning and development phase of the Western Australian Child Development Study, which was planned as a follow-on to the 1993 WA Child Health Survey, and the WA Aboriginal Child Health Survey (WAACHS).  The main survey was to be a state-wide representative sample of around 3,000 families including around 5,500 children aged 0-17 years.  The broad aims were to describe the overall development and wellbeing of children and young people in WA, and to identify factors associated with both positive and negative outcomes for children and families.  The project was unsuccessful in obtaining funding through the state budget, and has now been discontinued. 
Questionnaires for both household and schools phases of the study were developed through an extensive consultation process.  Using the materials from the 1993 WA CHS and the WAACHS, a thorough review of surveys, questionnaires and instruments from around the world was undertaken.  Guided by consultation with the survey steering committee and consumer reference groups the most appropriate materials for the survey were identified, and areas where new questions or instruments were required were agreed on.  These were then developed in consultation with a range of experts in each of the relevant subject fields.  An initial pilot test was conducted, and questionnaires were converted into electronic format to enable data capture via computer assisted interviewing.
Funded by Health Department of WA

1993 Western Australian Child Health Survey – 15 years on
Zubrick SR, Silburn SR, Lawrence D, Stanley FJ.

The 1993 WA Child Health Survey (WA CHS) was a ground-breaking large-scale survey of children and families across Western Australia.  This study sought to follow what had happened to the survey children in the 15 years since the survey, using record linkage to WA health records including hospital admissions, birth records, and mental health services contacts.   A specific focus of the study was to determine if information collected in the 1993 survey could predict subsequent early pregnancies and poor birth outcomes, deliberate self-harm attempts, and contacts with Mental Health Services in WA.  The WA CHS covered physical health, social and emotional wellbeing, family and community health and education.  Information was collected from parents and carers, young people aged 12 – 16 years, and from school teachers and principals.  At the time it was conducted, the survey was ground-breaking in terms of the breadth and depth of its coverage, and in some areas it remains the primary source of information on Western Australian children and families.  The results provided a snapshot in time and were used to inform major policy documents at both state and national level.
Using information from birth, hospital and mental health records, we found a range of factors assessed in the 1993 WA CHS were associated with adverse outcomes for young people.   Specific areas where findings have been made include teenage pregnancy and deliberate self-harm.
Funded by Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation (Healthway)

Restor(y)ing Aboriginal Parenting (TOO SOLID)
Investigators
Zubrick S, Silburn S, Donovan R, , Kickett-Tucker C, Milroy H, Milroy J,  Lawrence D, Wilkes E, D’Antoine H Cox A, Pearson G(resigned), Bessarab D,
Project team
Mogridge R, Woods L, Penny F (resigned), Nannup J, Gidgup R, Hayden J, Bairnsfather-Scott (resigned), Collard

The Restor(y)ing Aboriginal Parenting Project involves the development and evaluation of a culturally relevant program for Aboriginal parents of young children. It aims to address the intergenerational effects of past policies of forced separation of children on the cultural and social transmission of parenting knowledge and skills. It seeks to restore identification with culture, promote parental confidence, knowledge and child rearing skills and enhance resilience in Aboriginal children.
This five year NHMRC Research project commenced in 2006 supported by a budget of $2,104,620, with contributions from NHMRC $1,612,793, and Curtin University $491,827)
Funded by NHMRC: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research, A Healthy Start To Life

Twins and Singletons with Specific Language Impairment (LOOKING at Language)
Rice, M. (Institute for Lifespan Studies, University of Kansas), Taylor C., Zubrick, S. (Centre for Developmental Health, Curtin University of Technology and Telethon Institute of Child Health Research), Smith, S. (University of Nebraska Medical Center)

The Twins and Singletons with Specific Language Impairment (LOOKING at Language) project is funded by the USA National Institutes of Health from 1 July 2002 – 30 June 2012.  The LOOKING at Language Study is investigating genetic, neurobiological and environmental risks for Specific Language Impairment and Reading Disorder in twins and singletons from 2-9 years.  Specific Language Impairment (SLI) is a disorder where children struggle with language acquisition for no apparent reason.  These children do not have a hearing or intellectual problem, they have a specific problem with language. SLI affects approximately seven percent of single-born children with otherwise normal development. The rate of SLI in twins is not known.  The project addresses two of the four NIH priority areas for research in communication disorders: (1) Determining factors that contribute to or cause normal and disordered communication and (2) developing and refining diagnostic criteria to facilitate early diagnosis of communication disorders.  Following recent progress in the identification of gene linkages for children with speech impairments and likely gene locations for SLI, we will also conduct molecular genetic studies of the families.  In 2008, Rice, Taylor and Zubrick published a paper that showed that by seven years of age, 80% of late talkers had caught up, and that boys were at no greater risk for language impairment than girls.  However, one in five late talkers was below age expectations for language at school-age. In  2008, Zubrick, Taylor, Rice and Slegers received the American Speech Language Hearing Editor’s award for the most outstanding article on language published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research for a paper on the prevalence and predictors of early language delay in two-year-old children.
Funded by National Institutes of Health

ARACY Evidence in Action Topical Paper
Professor Sven Silburn, Dr Roz Walker.

Community Learning for Parenthood.  This Topical paper was commissioned by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) as resource for CfC practitioners, It provides CfC Managers with practical, evidence-based approaches of what works, why it works and strategies that ought to be implemented to improve the services that cater for the well being of young children and their families. This discussion paper encompasses a development framework starting with pre-conception through to 5 years old, an overarching theme is the factors that influence child development with particular attention to developmental influences, understanding foetal programming and the importance of nutrition, on adult health outcomes and wellbeing. A webinar and power point were also presented nationally.
Funded by ARACY