PhD Research

Title: The added value of temperament for a better understanding of diversity in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome: A meta-analytic, comparative, and longitudinal study
Doctorand(us/a): Margo Dewitte
Abstract: This project addresses the added value of temperament, and its interplay with parenting, to describe and explain the large diversity in disability-related barriers (symptoms) and neurodiverse potential (strengths and resilience), as well as risk and resilience in social-emotional functioning across three prevalent developmental disabilities (Autism spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy). This research project encompasses a multi-method approach: the meta-analysis and cross-sectional comparison will unravel syndrome-specific temperamental traits, while the longitudinal study will test the temperament-parenting interplay as transdiagnostic modifiers.
PhD in Educational Sciences
Supervisors: prof. dr. Sarah De Pauw and prof. dr. Petra Warreyn
Research group: Family Support of children with special needs and their network
Starting date: December 2021