The recent identification of new genetic variants associated with autism brings to the forefront important considerations when using genetics as a tool for detection of this complex disorder. “Whole genome sequencing resource identifies 18 new candidate genes for autism spectrum disorder”—which was funded by Kids Brain Health Network and published in Nature Neuroscience—is the largest [...]
Sadie started life as a child at risk. Exposed to alcohol and drugs before birth, she also experienced domestic violence and neglect as an infant in her Toronto home. Taken into care and placed with a foster family at 21 months, Sadie (not her real name) was screened for developmental delays. Concerns were identified in [...]
Dr. Jennifer Zwicker has been involved with Kids Brain Health Network since 2013, and has worked with the Network in many different capacities. Most recently, she was appointed as KBHN’s Deputy Chief Scientific Officer, a role she is enthusiastic to take on. “The leading research that occurs through collaboration with researchers, trainees, partners and stakeholders [...]
Dr. Zwicker has been a KBHN researcher since 2013. We reached out to ask her some questions about her work to support children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. Can you describe your educational path and what inspired you to get into the work you do now? I did my PhD in neuroscience at [...]
This post is shared from THE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM - A Blog by Donna Thomson I am a parent partner in disability health research. Caregiver partners in research use their lived experience to influence WHAT is researched and HOW it's researched. We have the opportunity to ease the path of care for other families and [...]
Dr. Jennifer Zwicker has been appointed by KBHN Board as the new Deputy Chief Scientific Officer (DCSO) of the Kids Brain Health Network. Dr. Zwicker is Director of Health Policy at the School of Public Policy and an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Her research utilizes economic evaluation [...]
Centred around the theme of "Building Partnerships that Impact Communities," KBHN hosted its annual conference in Ottawa from the 10th to the 11th of December. Day 1 Coverage Day 2 Coverage
Better Nights, Better Days (BNBD) is a program intended to address sleep issues across a range of neurodevelopmental disabilities, including autism, FASD, cerebral palsy and ADHD. Since last year, it has been collaborating with Kids Brain Health Network to offer monthly webinars to interested trainees, scientists and clinicians. This academic year, Better Nights, Better Days [...]
The Canadian Paediatric Society has recently released three position statements for the assessment of children and youth with autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, the Director of the Autism Research Centre based at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, is one of the lead investigators on a KBHN-funded study of infants at increased risk of ASD. His [...]
Dr. Shelly Weiss, Neurologist at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, was recently elected to the Governing Council of the World Sleep Society. Weiss has been involved in evaluation of children with sleep disorders for more than 20 years. As one of the researchers [...]