Overview
Background
Dr Kath Benfer is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow with the Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, The University of Queensland. Her Post-Doctoral work focuses on community-based early detection and intervention for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy in low-resource countries (India and Bangladesh). She was awarded the prestigious Endeavour Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship through the Australian Commonwealth Government to conduct the study. Kath’s PhD explored oropharyngeal dysphagia, gross motor function, growth and nutrition in preschool children with cerebral palsy, in both Australia and Bangladesh. Her work arising from her doctoral studies has been published in 10 peer-reviewed publications and presented widely at international conferences. Dr Benfer has over 12 years of experience as a speech pathologist within paediatric disability, with community-based child and family support services. Kath also has an interest in cross-cultural issues in child health, having worked in Bangladesh for over 2 years both as an AusAid volunteer teaching on the country’s first Bachelor of Speech Therapy degree, as well as conducting research in this context. She has completed her Master of Public Health at La Trobe University in Melbourne within the research and international health streams.
Availability
- Dr Kath Benfer is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Masters (Coursework) of Public Health, La Trobe University
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
-
First Nations access to allied healthcare
Peer delivered service delivery models for infants with cerebral palsy
-
International child health
Parent-delivered interventions for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy in low income countries
-
Oropharyngeal dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy
Prevalence and patterns of oropharyngeal dysphagia, including screening and assessment
Research impacts
My doctoral research was the first to explore prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) in a population-based cohort of preschool children with cerebral palsy (CP) using direct clinical measures; resulting in publication in Pediatrics (Benfer 2013). My thesis established new synthesis and testing of OPD measure psychometrics (Benfer 2012a, 2014c), improving the validity of my prevalence results. OPD was found in majority of children with CP (Benfer 2013) and not limited to those with poor gross motor function (Benfer 2015a, 2014a, 2013). Functional limitations were described in relation to gross motor function, enabling earlier screening and intervention. This study was replicated in a comparative study of children with CP in Bangladesh. It was unique in that it employed consistent methods and raters for CP diagnosis and functional ratings; enabling greater insight into the markedly different clinical picture of CP in a low-resource setting (Benfer 2014, Benfer 2016). This work earned a nomination for the international Gayle Arnold Award for Excellence and publication in Pediatrics (Benfer 2014). My contributions to research in the field of disability in Bangladesh are not limited to my own outputs, but also include supervision of masters and honours students, and research mentoring of clinicians. As a new researcher, my work has had a significant impact, including 13 publications, 143 citations, and 37 conference presentations (31 international).
Works
Search Professor Kath Benfer’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Conference Publication
Early screening tools predict neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months in a developmentally vulnerable First Nations infant cohort
Luke, Carly, Mick-Ramsamy, Leeann, Benfer, Katherine, Ware, Robert S., Leishman, Shaneen, Bosanquet, Margot, Gordon, Anya, Williams, Hailey, Taifalos, Chloe, Oakes, Ellena, Smith, Maria, Kentish, Megan, McNamara, Lynda, Bos, Arend F. and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2024). Early screening tools predict neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months in a developmentally vulnerable First Nations infant cohort. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Quebec, QC, Canada, 23-26 October 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Conference Publication
Motor Optimality Score-revised and Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination predict high likelihood of autism at 12 months corrected age in a developmentally vulnerable infant cohort
Luke, Carly, Benfer, Katherine, Ware, Robert S., Leishman, Shaneen, Bosanquet, Margot, Gordon, Anya, Williams, Hailey, Taifalos, Chloe, Bos, Arend F. and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2024). Motor Optimality Score-revised and Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination predict high likelihood of autism at 12 months corrected age in a developmentally vulnerable infant cohort. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Quebec, QC, Canada, 23-26 October 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Conference Publication
Tools for early detection of developmental concerns and/or disability in young children (aged birth–5 years 11 months): A scoping review
Burgess, A., Luke, C., Jackman, M., Wotherspoon, J., Whittingham, K., Benfer, K., Goodman, S., Caesar, R., Nesakumar, T., Bora, S., Honeyman, D., Copplin, D., Reedman, S., Cairney, J., Reid, N., Sakzewski, L. and Boyd, R. (2024). Tools for early detection of developmental concerns and/or disability in young children (aged birth–5 years 11 months): A scoping review. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Quebec, QC Canada, 23-26 October 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Journal Article
Clinical utility and psychometric properties of tools for early detection of developmental concerns and disability in young children: a scoping review
Burgess, Andrea, Luke, Carly, Jackman, Michelle, Wotherspoon, Jane, Whittingham, Koa, Benfer, Katherine, Goodman, Sarah, Caesar, Rebecca, Nesakumar, Tiffney, Bora, Samudragupta, Honeyman, David, Copplin, Danielle, Reedman, Sarah, Cairney, John, Reid, Natasha, Boyd, Roslyn N. and Sakzewski, Leanne (2024). Clinical utility and psychometric properties of tools for early detection of developmental concerns and disability in young children: a scoping review. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.16076
2024
Conference Publication
Motor Optimality Score-Revised and Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination predict high likelihood of autism in developmentally vulnerable First Nations infants.
Luke, Carly, Benfer, Katherine, Ware, Robert S., Leishman, Shaneen, Bosanquet, Margot, Gordon, Anya, Williams, Hailey, Taifalos, Chloe, Bos, Arend F. and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2024). Motor Optimality Score-Revised and Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination predict high likelihood of autism in developmentally vulnerable First Nations infants.. 12th AusACPDM Biennial Conference, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 31 July-3 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Conference Publication
Implementation of Learning through Everyday Activities with Parents of Infants with CP (LEAP CP) early detection and intervention program in India
Moula, M., Benfer, K., Boyd, R. and Sakzewski, L. (2024). Implementation of Learning through Everyday Activities with Parents of Infants with CP (LEAP CP) early detection and intervention program in India. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Cairns, QLD Australia, 31 July-3 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
2024
Conference Publication
Early screening tools predict neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months in a developmentally vulnerable First Nations infant cohort
Luke, Carly, Mick-Ramsamy, Leeann, Benfer, Katherine, Ware, Robert S., Leishman, Shaneen, Bosanquet, Margot, Gordon, Anya, Williams, Hailey, Taifalos, Chloe, Oakes, Ellena, Smith, Maria, Bos, Arend F. and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2024). Early screening tools predict neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months in a developmentally vulnerable First Nations infant cohort. 12th AusACPDM Biennial Conference, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 31 July-3 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Conference Publication
Tools for early detection of developmental concerns and/or disability in young children (aged birth–5 years 11 months): a scoping review
Burgess, A., Luke, C., Jackman, M., Wotherspoon, J., Whittingham, K., Benfer, K., Goodman, S., Caesar, R., Nesakumar, T., Reedman, S., Bora, S., Honeyman, D., Copplin, D., Cairney, J., Reid, N., Boyd, R. and Sakzewski, L. (2024). Tools for early detection of developmental concerns and/or disability in young children (aged birth–5 years 11 months): a scoping review. 12th AusACPDM Biennial Conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 31 July-3 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
2024
Conference Publication
Motor optimality score-revised (MOS-R) and Hammersmith infant neurological examination (HINE) predict high likelihood of autism at 12 months corrected age in a developmentally vulnerable infant cohort
Luke, C., Benfer, K., Ware , R. S., Gordon, A., Williams, H., Taifalos, C., Leishman, S., Bos, A. and Boyd, R. N. (2024). Motor optimality score-revised (MOS-R) and Hammersmith infant neurological examination (HINE) predict high likelihood of autism at 12 months corrected age in a developmentally vulnerable infant cohort. 36th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability, Bruges, Belgium, 29 May-1 June 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.15934
2024
Conference Publication
Tools for early detection of developmental concerns and/or disability in young children (aged birth–5 years 11 months): A scoping review
Burgess, A., Luke, C., Jackman, M., Wotherspoon, J., Whittingham, K., Benfer, K., Goodman, S., Caesar, R., Nesakumar, T., Bora, S., Honeyman, D., Copplin, D., Reedman, S., Cairney, J., Reid, N., Sakzewski, L. and Boyd, R.N. (2024). Tools for early detection of developmental concerns and/or disability in young children (aged birth–5 years 11 months): A scoping review. European Academy of Childhood Disability, Bruges, Belgium, 29 May-1 June 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2024
Conference Publication
Early screening tools predict neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months in a developmentally vulnerable First Nations infant cohort
Luke, C., Mick-Ramsamy, L., Benfer, K., Ware, R. S., Leishman, S., Bosanquet, M., Gordon, A., Williams, H., Taifalos, C., Oakes, E., Smith, M., Bos, A. and Boyd, R. N. (2024). Early screening tools predict neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months in a developmentally vulnerable First Nations infant cohort. 36th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability, Bruges, Belgium, 29 May-1 June 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.15934
2024
Journal Article
Relationship between early infant motor repertoire and neurodevelopment on the hammersmith infant neurological examination in a developmentally vulnerable first nations cohort
Luke, Carly, Mick-Ramsamy, Leeann, Bos, Arend F., Benfer, Katherine A., Bosanquet, Margot, Gordon, Anya, Williams, Hailey, Taifalos, Chloe, Smith, Maria, Leishman, Shaneen, Oakes, Ellena, Kentish, Megan, McNamara, Lynda, Ware, Robert S. and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2024). Relationship between early infant motor repertoire and neurodevelopment on the hammersmith infant neurological examination in a developmentally vulnerable first nations cohort. Early Human Development, 192 106004. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2024.106004
2024
Journal Article
Sleep problems in a population-based cohort of primary school age children with Cerebral Palsy
Whittingham, Koa, Benfer, Kath, Sakzewski, Leanne, Wotherspoon, Jane, Burgess, Andrea, Comans, Tracy, Keramat, Syed Afoz, Ware, Robert S. and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2024). Sleep problems in a population-based cohort of primary school age children with Cerebral Palsy. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 147 104690, 104690. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104690
2024
Journal Article
Efficacy of early intervention for infants with cerebral palsy in an LMIC: An RCT
Benfer, Katherine A., Whittingham, Koa, Ware, Robert S., Ghosh, Asis Kumar, Chowdhury, Sayak, Moula, Golam, Samanta, Sandip, Khan, Naila Zaman, Bell, Kristie L., Oftedal, Stina, Bandaranayake, Sasaka, Salt, Alison T., Bhattacharya, Anjan, Maiti, Pradip, Tripathi, Santanu K., Morgan, Cathy, Novak, Iona and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2024). Efficacy of early intervention for infants with cerebral palsy in an LMIC: An RCT. Pediatrics, 153 (4) e2023063854, 1-15. doi: 10.1542/peds.2023-063854
2024
Journal Article
The evolution of nutrition management in children with severe neurological impairment with a focus on cerebral palsy
Oftedal, Stina, McCormack, Siobhan, Stevenson, Richard, Benfer, Katherine, Boyd, Roslyn N. and Bell, Kristie (2024). The evolution of nutrition management in children with severe neurological impairment with a focus on cerebral palsy. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 38 (1) e13277. doi: 10.1111/jhn.13277
2023
Conference Publication
Predictive accuracy of early screening in First Nations infants at risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in the LEAP-CP study
Luke, Carly, Mick-Ramsamy, Leeann, Bos, Arend F., Ware, Robert S., Gordon, Anya, Taifalos, Chloe, Williams, Hailey, Smith, Maria, Benfer, Katherine, Bosanquet, Margot, Leishman, Shaneen and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2023). Predictive accuracy of early screening in First Nations infants at risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in the LEAP-CP study. American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States, 10-13 September 2023. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2023
Conference Publication
Relationship between infant motor repertoire at 3–5 months and early neurodevelopment on the hammersmith infant neurological examination in a cohort of ‘at risk’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants
Luke, C., Bos, A., Ware, R., Gordon, A., Taifalos, C., Williams, H., Benfer, K., Bosanquet, M. and Boyd, R. (2023). Relationship between infant motor repertoire at 3–5 months and early neurodevelopment on the hammersmith infant neurological examination in a cohort of ‘at risk’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants. 35th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD), Ljubljana, Slovenia, 24-27 May 2023. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.15594
2023
Journal Article
Study protocol: peer delivered early intervention (Learning through Everyday Activities with Parents for Infants at risk of Cerebral Palsy: LEAP-CP) for First Nation Australian infants at high risk of cerebral palsy – an RCT study
Benfer, Katherine, Boyd, Roslyn N, Roe, Yvette, Fagan, Ruth, Luke, Carly, Mick-Ramsamy, Leeann, Whittingham, Koa, Novak, Iona, Bosanquet, Margot, McNamara, Lynda, Khandaker, Gulam, Fogarty, Lucy, Cadet-James, Yvonne, Ruben, Alan, Comans, Tracy, Smith, Anthony and Ware, Robert S (2023). Study protocol: peer delivered early intervention (Learning through Everyday Activities with Parents for Infants at risk of Cerebral Palsy: LEAP-CP) for First Nation Australian infants at high risk of cerebral palsy – an RCT study. BMJ Open, 13 (3) e059531, 1-16. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059531
2023
Journal Article
School readiness of children at high risk of cerebral palsy randomised to early neuroprotection and neurorehabilitation: protocol for a follow-up study of participants from four randomised clinical trials
Boyd, Roslyn N., Novak, Iona, Morgan, Catherine, Bora, Samudragupta, Sakzewski, Leanne, Ware, Robert S., Comans, Tracy, Fahey, Michael Collingwood, Whittingham, Koa, Trost, Stewart, Pannek, Kerstin, Pagnozzi, Alex, Mcintyre, Sarah, Badawi, Nadia, Smithers Sheedy, Hayley, Palmer, Kirsten Rebecca, Burgess, Andrea, Keramat, Afroz, Bell, Kristie, Hines, Ashleigh, Benfer, Katherine, Gascoigne-Pees, Laura, Leishman, Shaneen and Oftedal, Stina (2023). School readiness of children at high risk of cerebral palsy randomised to early neuroprotection and neurorehabilitation: protocol for a follow-up study of participants from four randomised clinical trials. BMJ Open, 13 (2) e068675, 1-17. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068675
2022
Journal Article
Examining the content and outcomes of training in dysphagia and mealtime management: a systematic review informing co-design of new training
Reddacliff, Courtney, Hemsley, Bronwyn, Smith, Rebecca, Dalton, Sayne, Jones, Sarah, Fitzpatrick, Amy, Given, Fiona, Kelly, Jack, Lawson, Xanthe, Darcy, Simon, Debono, Deborah, Benfer, Kath and Balandin, Susan (2022). Examining the content and outcomes of training in dysphagia and mealtime management: a systematic review informing co-design of new training. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 31 (3), 1535-1552. doi: 10.1044/2022_ajslp-21-00231
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Kath Benfer is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Community-based parent-delivered early detection and intervention program for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Early feeding difficulties in infants with cerebral palsy: impact on caregivers, co-design, and pilot of an early feeding intervention
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Roslyn Boyd, Dr Stina Oftedal
-
Doctor Philosophy
Cultural Adaptation of the LEAP-CP Program for Indigenous Infants at High Risk of Adverse Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Roslyn Boyd
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation of Indigenous Culturally adapted BabyMoves App to improve early surveillance and prediction of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome of high-risk NICU graduates in the Northern Territory
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Roslyn Boyd
-
Doctor Philosophy
Early detection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants at high chance of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months corrected age
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Roslyn Boyd
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation of Indigenous Culturally adapted BabyMoves App to improve early surveillance and prediction of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome of high-risk NICU graduates in the Northern Territory
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Roslyn Boyd
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Early detection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants at high chance of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months corrected age
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Roslyn Boyd
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Caregiver-infant emotional availability outcomes and intervention delivery fidelity in a community-based caregiver-implemented program for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy in a low resource context
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Emma Crawford, Associate Professor Leanne Sakzewski
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Dr Kath Benfer's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: