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Early diagnosis for kids with autismFocussing attention on a child’s first year of life is proving to be a major breakthrough in autism research.

News & Events
Autism researcher a finalist for WA's Australian of the YearProfessor Andrew Whitehouse, who has helped transform clinical support for children on the autism spectrum in Australia, is nominated for WA's 2023 Australian of the Year.

News & Events
Study looks at fish oil as treatment for autismThe Kids Research Institute Australia research has shown nearly 50 per cent of children with autism have tried fish oil supplements, but does it actually improve symptoms?
Research
The Proactive StudyAndrew Gail Videos Whitehouse Watch and listen to Andrew Alvares PhD PhD Deputy Director (Research); Angela Wright Bennett Professor of Autism
Research
Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Content in Highly Viewed TikTok VideosSocial media allows users to connect with others’ experiences and points of view, with TikTok being the fastest-growing platform worldwide. Highly viewed videos related to neurodiversity on TikTok have an increasing role in understanding and acceptance of neurodivergent individuals.
Research
Characterizing predictors of response to behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analytic approachA comprehensive understanding of specific factors contributing to variability in responsiveness of children with autism to interventions is paramount for making evidence-based clinical and policy decisions. This meta-analysis examined child and family characteristics, as well as intervention design factors, associated with outcomes of behavioral interventions for children with autism.
Research
First Impressions Towards Autistic People: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisEmerging evidence suggests that observers tend to form less favorable first impressions toward autistic people than toward non-autistic people. These negative impressions may be associated with immediate behavioral responses, as well as long-lasting attitudes toward those being observed that may negatively impact their psychosocial wellbeing.
Research
Autistic and autism community perspectives on infant and family support in the first two years of life: Findings from a community consultation surveyMost support programmes for Autistic children are available only after they are diagnosed. Research suggests that parenting supports may be helpful for parents and their infants, when provided in the first 2 years of life - before a formal diagnosis is given, but when information suggests an infant is more likely to be Autistic. However, we do not know how acceptable these types of supports might be to the Autistic and autism communities.
Research
Parent-Child Interactions May Help to Explain Relations Between Parent Characteristics and Clinically Observed Child Autistic BehavioursThe importance of supporting parent-child interactions has been noted in the context of prodromal autism, but little consideration has been given to the possible contributing role of parental characteristics, such as psychological distress. This cross-sectional study tested models in which parent-child interaction variables mediated relations between parent characteristics and child autistic behaviour in a sample of families whose infant demonstrated early signs of autism.
Research
The use of language in autism researchThe past three decades have seen a major shift in our understanding of the strong links between autism and identity. These developments have called for careful consideration of the language used to describe autism.