Through our research and dedication to translating science into practical outcomes, our ultimate goal is to enhance the lives of young people with neurodevelopmental disorders, helping them develop to their full potential.
Our focus
Established in 2013, the Deakin Child Study Centre (DCSC) has rapidly grown with large-scale funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Australian Research Council and our many philanthropic and industry partnerships. We focus on the early years of childhood through to adolescence, a time where children learn the pivotal skills to regulate emotions, interact with peers and develop a sense of self.
Making the world fit for all kids
The Deakin Child Study Centre strives to reach the one in five children who have a disability, developmental challenge or vulnerability, to develop practical and sustainable evidence-based strategies. We include all children and create programs that are culturally sensitive and inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
We aim to see the meaningful participation of children with disability or developmental challenges through community-integrated interventions. We place an emphasis on providing children with resources and support to enable meaningful participation and engagement in organised physical activities.
With a focus on developing child-centred interventions, we are dedicated to working with the community to ‘make the world fit for all kids’, where children of all abilities feel secure to thrive socially and emotionally. With access to community-based interventions complementing and enhancing best practice clinical care, our research and pilot studies have shown that children with disabilities and developmental challenges gain developmental, clinical and health benefits.