Research Assistant
BPsych(Hons)
Jess has a first-class Bachelor of Psychology degree with honours from Curtin University where she also undertook her PhD (submitted for review). Her PhD primarily utilised qualitative methodologies and centred on the maltreatment of people with intellectual disability by family members.
Within the Child Disability Team Jess has contributed to research that aims to improve understanding and measurement of the communication of people with CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD) by conducting and analysing interviews with families.
Jess has presented her research at local, national, and international conferences and in 2020 won the Community College Postgraduate Student Conference Award at the International Conference of Community Psychology.
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Publications
February 2024
Communication of individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder as observed by caregivers: A descriptive qualitative study
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a genetically caused developmental epileptic encephalopathy that causes severe communication impairments. Communication of individuals with CDD is not well understood in the literature and currently available measures are not well validated in this population. Accurate and sensitive measurement of the communication of individuals with CDD is important for understanding this condition, clinical practice, and upcoming interventional trials.
Published research Language Development Child Disability Child disabilityDecember 2023What does better look like in individuals with severe neurodevelopmental impairments? A qualitative descriptive study on SCN2A-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
There are limited psychometric data on outcome measures for children with Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEEs), beyond measuring seizures, and no data to describe meaningful change. This study aimed to explore parent perceptions of important differences in functional abilities that would guide their participation in clinical trials.
Published research Child Disability Child disabilityDecember 2023Factors influencing public perceptions of child neglect: A mixed methods study
More than 1 in 5 children experience neglect, exposing them to several adverse consequences. Children with intellectual disability experience additional neglect related challenges. Public perceptions significantly influence the identification, intervention, and prevention of child neglect.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Child Disability Child disability -
Education and Qualifications
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Awards/Honours