The Research

Intellectual disability is a complex area of research, requiring years of multidisciplinary research to achieve breakthroughs.

For over 40 years, AFRID has made a significant impact in the field by funding groundbreaking research. This research has improved knowledge about the causes and risk factors for intellectual disability, and has provided evidence to guide educational programs and medical treatments for individuals and their families.

The research has covered a breadth of areas:

• basic science projects in areas such as the genetics of Down syndrome
• population-based studies, for example, assessing the acceptability of population screening for fragile X syndrome (one of the common causes of intellectual disability)
• outcomes of factors during pregnancy, for example, the use of antiepileptic drugs in mothers with epilepsy
• the effectiveness of interventions, for example, for behavioural problems in adults with intellectual disability
• measurement of quality of life, for example, on rural families where there is a child with an intellectual disability
• the economic cost of intellectual disability in Australia.

Researchers have been provided with support not only to undertake projects, but to complete preliminary work which, in many cases, has resulted in major studies of international importance. These projects have also made a significant difference in the lives of individuals living with an intellectual disability and their families.

To date, AFRID has funded research resulting in more than 300 publications, book chapters and conference presentations on intellectual disabilities. We continue to support breakthrough research for intellectual disabilities, but much more work needs to be done.

With the public’s support, AFRID can continue to carry out broadly based and advanced research studies into the prevention of intellectual disabilities.

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