Underpinning Research

Co-production of the ‘EPIC’ multidimensional tool-kit to support neurodivergent children and young people at home and school: a feasibility and pilot study
An 8 week programme of the psychoeducation programme EPIC improves thinking skills, literacy and parent and teacher reported behaviour related outcomes in neurodivergent children
[Rhodes, S.M. et al ]
J of Pilot and Feasibility Studies (2024)

Cognitive profiles are better predictors of literacy attainment than diagnostic outcomes in children with high ADHD symptoms.
Acceptance on to an NHS ADHD diagnostic waiting-list indicates thinking skills and learning support needs;
Thinking skill abilities (e.g. memory, planning, attention flexibility) predict literacy outcomes better than diagnosis confirmation in children with high ADHD symptoms;
Understanding and supporting a range of thinking skills in children with ADHD is important for literacy outcomes including reading, spelling and oral expression
[Rhodes, S.M. et al ]
J of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2024)

Cognitive heterogeneity in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Implications for maths.
Understanding and supporting a range of thinking skills in children with ADHD is important for maths learning and attainment.
[Kanevski, R. et al ......Rhodes, S.M.]
British Journal of Developmental Psychology (2024)

“It’s a learning curve throughout your entire life”. Experiences and impact of FASD in adolescence explored in online photovoice research.
Young people with FASD can provide insight into their experience of disability and can identify adjustments that benefit their health and wellbeing.
[Eodanable, M. et al ......Rhodes, S.M.]
Research in Developmental Disabilities (2024)

Co-occurrence of autism and ADHD is high showing a transdiagnostic approach is important to help neurodivergent children understand their functioning.
[Eaton, C. et al. ….& Rhodes, S.M. ]
J of Attention Disorders, 27, 12, 1360-1376 (2023)

Co-occurrence of ADHD and DCD leads to additional memory difficulties which should be supported to facilitate optimal maths learning.
[Kanevski, M., et al., & Rhodes ]
Research in Developmental Disabilities (2023)

Autistic adolescents can provide insights into their mental health that help inform individualised strategies to support them
[Rhodes, S.M. et al.].
Research in Developmental Disabilities (2023)

‘Exploring the self-reference effect in ADHD’.
The memory difficulties of children with ADHD include not taking advantage of self relevant information that helps their typically developing peers remember things.  
[Ahmed, Z. et al …. & Rhodes, S.M.]
British Journal of Developmental Psychology (2022)

Investigating the mediating role of executive function in the relationship between ADHD and DCD symptoms and depression in adults.
ADHD is a key factor in thinking difficulties and  both ADHD and DCD related difficulties are associated with low mood.
[McDougal, E. et al …. & Rhodes, S.M.].
J of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2022)

Relationships between cognition and literacy in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Thinking skills in children with ADHD are related to literacy.
[McDougal, E. et al ......Rhodes, S.M. ]
British Journal of Developmental Psychology (2022) 

Individualised strategies would benefit children with ADHD, both with their learning and in gaining a better understanding of their condition.
[McDougal, E. et al …. & Rhodes, S.M.].
J of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2022)

The relationship between cognition and mathematics in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review
Thinking skills in children with ADHD are related to maths learning.
[Kanevski, M., et al ......Rhodes, S.M.]
Child Neuropsychology (2022) 

Friendships in children with Williams syndrome: Parent and child perspectives.
Parents of children with William syndrome report significant friendship challenges but some of the children report strong friendships.  
[Gillooly A.E. et al ..... Rhodes, S.M.] 
J of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2022)

Autistic children show a higher prevalence and earlier onset of depression showing early intervention is crucial.
[Stewart, T. M., et al…….& Rhodes, S.M. ]
Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice (2022)

Social identities and mental well-being in autistic adults
Autistic adults who feel connected to more groups, or to other autistic people or family, tend to report better mental health. 
[Maitland-Warne, C., Rhodes, S.M. et al]
Autism (2021)

Peer relationships in children with Williams syndrome: parent and teacher insights. 
Parents and teachers report that many children with WS have more peer problems than their neurotypical peers and more substantial social functioning difficulties are associated with greater peer relationship problems.
[Gillooly A.E. et al ......Rhodes, S.M. ]
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2020)

Executive functions, especially inhibitory control, continue to develop into adolescence and should be supported for optimal learning.
[Theodoraki, T. E., ….& Rhodes, S. M., et al. ]
British Journal of Developmental Psychology (2020).

Joint production of research priorities to improve the lives of those with childhood onset conditions that impair learning: the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership for Learning Difficulties. 
The top priorities for research by those with lived experience include a focus on professional training and early interventions
BMJ Open (2019)

Improved short-term delayed memory predicts clinical outcome and should be included in intervention programmes.
[Coghill, D.R. ….& Rhodes, S.M., et al ].
Psychological Medicine (2014)

Boys with co-occurring ODD alongside ADHD have additional memory problems that need strategies to support.
[Rhodes, S.M., et al. ].
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (2012)