Completed Kids+ Research

Why

At Kids+, we believe in prioritising research that truly matters to the young people we work with. Traditionally, young people with disabilities have not been actively involved in deciding what research should be conducted to enhance their lives and allied health practices.

Our research project aimed to bridge this gap by exploring the research priorities of young people accessing Kids+. By doing so, we hoped to ensure that our research program aligns with their needs and aspirations.

The Research

Six young people aged 8-17 years participated in interactive workshops with researchers. These workshops involved generating and discussing research ideas, followed by ranking them in order of priority.

Members of the Kids+ Participant Advisory Group and the Kids+ Parent and Carer Advisory Group helped the research team develop the workshop materials to make sure they were suitable for the young people.

What We Learnt

We identified 43 research priorities, with leisure activities, such as playing with friends and playing sports, recognised as the highest priority. When discussing their research priorities, young people expressed the importance of enjoying meaningful activities, acknowledging their own expertise, planning for the future, and building and sustaining relationships.

These learnings, together with what we learn from talking with parents and carers and our staff in future research projects, will guide the development of the Kids+ Research Program, ensuring it aligns with the priorities of young people accessing Kids+ services.

Research Team

Kealy Rau, Deakin University

Emma Clark, Deakin University

Dr Anna Urbanowicz, Kids+ and Deakin University