Paediatrics and Child Health

Biography

Catherine O’Connor is a part-time PhD student with the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health under the supervision of Dr. Deirdre Murray and Dr. Geraldine Boylan. She is participating in the long term follow-up, at age five years, of a cohort of children with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). The original study was undertaken by Dr. Deirdre Murray and colleagues .

The aim of the study is to investigate neurodevelopmental outcome of children with HIE, and to determine the predictive validity of continuous video EEG and other markers taken for each child during the neonatal period. Each participant’s intelligence and neuropsychological functioning will be measured using standardised assessments. Parental ratings of general behaviour and executive functioning will also be collected. Neurological, visual and hearing screenings will be offered.

Catherine has been working as a clinical psychologist at Enable Ireland Cork’s children’s services at the Lavanagh Centre for the past 15 years. Interdisciplinary medical, clinical and educational services are provided to children with a physical disability and their families. Her interests include the learning and neuropsychological implications of conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida/hydrocephalus and neuromuscular conditions in addition to children ‘at risk’ neurologically. She works in early intervention and with school aged children with a focus on supporting inclusive practices especially in preschool and primary school settings.

Her previous research interests have included the role of the ‘safety signal hypothesis’ for the measurement of anxiety in adult populations (master’s thesis), and the role of siblings in the life of people with disabilities.

Research articles

D’Arcy F, Flynn J, McCarthy Y, O’Connor C, Tierney E. Sibshops – An evaluation of an interagency model. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities. 2005; 9(1): 43-57. Sage Publications

Murray DM, Bala P, O'Connor CM, Ryan CA, Connolly S, Boylan GB.  The predictive value of early neurological examination in neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and neurodevelopmental outcome at 24 months. Dev Med Child Neurol.2010 Feb; 52(2): e55-e59.