Published in BMJ Open, the Improving Outcomes in Mental Health (IOMH) cohort study tracks 1,084 Australian families of children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD and ADHD. Using clinical assessments and caregiver reports, researchers found high rates of co-occurring child depression (31 per cent) and anxiety (28 per cent), with 39 per cent of caregivers showing mental health concerns. Future analyses will investigate how environmental variables (e.g. family structure, income, school achievements and leisure activities) and genetic factors contribute to the persistence and severity of mental health issues in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
