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This article discusses the important issue of the need for a stable definition of intellectual disability in order to allow comparisons by place and over time such as in the monitoring of this population's health needs and utilization. The aim of the new Australian National Centre for Intellectual Disability Health, established in 2023, is to ensure that all Australian children and adults with intellectual disability receive high-quality healthcare that meets their needs.

Information on factors contributing to quality of life (QOL) informs meaningful patient-centred care. We evaluated factors influencing QOL in individuals with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) and other severe neurodevelopmental encephalopathy conditions using hypothesis-free regression tree analysis.

The capacity for children to self-regulate is an important developmental task of early childhood, with caregivers playing an integral role in self-regulation development. While caregivers' emotions and behaviors are known to impact child self-regulatory capacity, the impact of child self-regulation difficulties on parents is less understood. 

MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) is an ultrarare, X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder that is poorly understood in terms of its natural history and phenotypic variability. There is limited information on how individuals with MDS acquire, retain or lose fundamental functional skills (gross motor, purposeful hand function and communication) - that of which this study aimed to better characterise in the largest case series to date.

Research on the health literacy of parents with children with intellectual disability is limited. Understanding parents' healthcare skills and needs is essential for improving children's health and developing effective support. In this study we aimed to (1) explore the health literacy skills of parents that enabled them to support the health needs of their child with intellectual disability and the factors influencing these skills, and (2) identify opportunities to support parent health literacy.

CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a rare developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) associated with multiple impairments and comorbidities. Outcome measures for disease-modifying clinical trials for DEEs should measurably capture a spectrum of caregiver priorities and be externally validated.

Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is an ultrarare genetic condition causing developmental epileptic encephalopathy characterized by seizures and motor and intellectual disabilities. No disease-modifying therapies are available, and treatments focus mainly on symptom management to improve quality of life.

Shared decision-making between patients and primary healthcare professionals positively impacts health outcomes. However, people with intellectual disability face additional barriers and require supported shared decision-making (SSDM) to participate. Little is known about how healthcare professionals use SSDM with this population. This paper explores the facilitators and barriers experienced, and strategies/resources employed by healthcare professionals working with people with intellectual disability.

Despite growing evidence that parental work–family conflict (WFC) affects children’s emotional well-being, little is known about the multiple pathways underlying such effects. This study examines the association between parental WFC and children’s emotional well-being and the potential mediating role of parenting behaviors in this process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be removed at high rates from their families by child protection services, placing them at elevated risk of adverse long-term life outcomes. Cultural connection in out-of-home care is essential for mitigating the impacts of trauma from removal, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that cultural planning is rigorously undertaken. This article explores the provision of cultural plans in an era where out-of-home care services are outsourced by government, but where government holds onto the responsibility for developing cultural plans for children in care.