Current Research

Information on current research projects can be obtained from the Planning and Research Unit, DADHC, phone 8270 2000.

Project: Clinicians’ Diagnostic and Clinical Reasoning Processes in Intellectual Disability
Principal Researcher: Peter Coslovich
Institution: Charles Stuart University
Expected Completion Date: 2006/07
Description: This research will investigate the phenomenon of diagnostic overshadowing in intellectual disability. This study particularly examines the decision making and cognitive reasoning processes of the clinician that can contribute to under diagnosis of psychiatric conditions.
   
Project: Volunteering Options for the HACC Sector
Principal Researcher: Key Insights Pty Ltd
Expected Completion Date: 2006/07
Description: Identifying strategies to support a stable and skilled pool of volunteers for the HACC sector.
   
Project: Inclusion of young children with disabilities in mainstream early childhood services
Principal Researcher: Gwynnyth Llewellyn
Institution: University of Sydney
Expected Completion Date: 2006/07
Description: Identifies service models for children with disabilities that ensure improved outcomes
   
Project: Face and facial expression processing in children with autism, mild intellectual disability and typically developing children
Principal Researcher: Dr. Frini Karayanidis and Alicia Sercombe
Institution: University of Newcastle
Expected Completion Date: 2006/07
Description: The project aims to determine difficulties experienced by children suffering from autism when processing facial expressions as compared to children with mild intellectual delays. The study also explores any effect of such difficulties on autistic individual's social skills.
   
Project: Negotiating caring and employment: the impact on carers' wellbeing
Principal Researcher: Dr Michael Bittman
Institution: Social Policy Research Centre, University of NSW and University of New England
Expected Completion Date: 2006/07
Description: The project is examining the impact of combining employment with caring for adults or children with disabilities. An ARC Linkage project.
 
Project: Support needs and service models for younger people with high support needs
Principal Researcher: Australian Healthcare Associates
Expected Completion Date: December 2006
Description: The project is managed by DADHC, New South Wales , in conjunction with a national project steering committee, on behalf of the Disability Policy and Research Working Group (formerly National Disability Administrators). The project is aimed at progressing discussions and informing initiatives under the Commonwealth State and Territory Disability Bilateral Agreements with regard to young people in nursing homes and people with a disability with high clinical care needs. The characteristics of younger people in residential aged care will be identified and mapped, and existing service models specifically designed to meet the needs of younger people with high clinical care needs analysed across the disability, health, community and aged care sectors. The project will also review the demographic profile of consumers and map alternative pathways for younger people with a disability with high support needs. Aspects of the model that contribute to its effectiveness will also be identified and compared to other models.