Development and Disability
The Development and Disability research programme is co-ordinated by Professor Helen McConachie.
We undertake research which aims to:
• define causes and mechanisms, from genes to environment
• evaluate effective and acceptable interventions using a broad range
of methods
• define the impact of disability for individuals, families and society
The programme of research in neurodevelopmental disability thus encompasses basic research through to the organisation and delivery of health services. We have a particular focus on children with cerebral palsy and with autism spectrum disorders. Our research seeks to understand how impairments (e.g. in social perception, or in control of muscles) are related to functional disability (e.g. in social behaviour, or in speaking) and affected by environments (e.g. social barriers such as attitudes). These factors are likely to affect an individual’s social participation and impact upon the family. We employ a range of research methods, including quantitative and qualitative, cohort studies, randomised controlled trials and development of measures.
Our programme includes close collaborations with Durham University and Local Authorities and Health Trusts, as well as other UK Universities. International collaborations include a network of European Cerebral Palsy registers, a nine centre European study of quality of life of children with cerebral palsy, the Autism Genome Project International Consortium and a Development Partnership in Higher Education with Bangladesh.
Staff List
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Professor Allan Colver
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Dr Peter James
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Mary Johnson
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Professor Ann Le Couteur
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Dr Janice McLaughlin
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Dr Richard McNally
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Dr Lindsay Pennington
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Professor Richard Walker
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Rose Watson
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Dr Sarah Wigham
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