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Research

Birth seasonality and risk of autism spectrum disorder

In the first multinational study of birth seasonality of autism spectrum disorder, there was evidence supporting the presence of seasonal trends in Finland and Sweden

News & Events

CliniKids and Griffith University partner for autism research

The Kids Research Institute Australia’s CliniKids and Griffith University are excited to announce a new partnership which will help to grow autism research in Australia.

News & Events

Children with autism may benefit from app-based therapies

A The Kids Research Institute Australia study has shown that in addition to intervention with trained therapists, children with autism may benefit from app-based therapies.

Research

Motor problems in autism: Co-occurrence or feature?

Motor features of autism have long been acknowledged by clinicians, researchers, and community stakeholders. Current DSM-5 and ICD-11 guidelines allow clinicians to assign a co-occurring diagnosis of developmental [motor] coordination disorder for autistic individuals with significant motor problems.

Research

Unpacking the complex nature of the autism epidemic

This paper discusses changes in diagnostic criteria, decreasing age at diagnosis, improved case ascertainment, diagnostic substitution, and social influences.

News & Events

Autism study helping kids reach their full potential

Professor Andrew Whitehouse and the Autism team at The Kids are working with Joondalup Health Campus as part of ORIGINS to gain greater insight into how the brain develops in children who have difficulties with language.

Research

Autism and psychosis: Clinical implications for depression and suicide

This study examines the association of autism spectrum traits, depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviour in individuals with psychotic experiences

News & Events

National guideline provides uniform approach to autism diagnosis

In October 2018, the Autism CRC released A National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Australia.

Research

Investigating associations between birth order and autism diagnostic phenotypes

Birth order effects have been linked to variability in intelligence, educational attainment and sexual orientation. First- and later-born children have been linked to an increased likelihood of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, with a smaller body of evidence implicating decreases in cognitive functioning with increased birth order.

Research

Facial asymmetry in parents of children on the autism spectrum

Greater facial asymmetry has been consistently found in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) relative to children without ASD. There is substantial evidence that both facial structure and the recurrence of ASD diagnosis are highly heritable within a nuclear family. Furthermore, sub-clinical levels of autistic-like behavioural characteristics have also been reported in first-degree relatives of individuals with ASD, commonly known as the 'broad autism phenotype'.