David Trembath
Honorary Research Fellow
BaAppSc, MAppSc, PhD
david.trembath@thekids.org.au
David holds a joint appointment as an Honorary Research Fellow at CliniKids and Professor in Speech Pathology at Griffith University. His research is helping all children on the autism spectrum have a healthy start to life, particularly kids who communicate mainly in ways other than speech.
David joined CliniKids in 2022. He brings to the team over 20 years of clinical-research experience in community, clinical, clinical-education, and university settings, and most importantly the insights children and families have shared with him over these years that inform every aspect of his work.
David’s current work with CliniKids focuses on the development of national guidelines to support children and families to have access to timely, safe, and effective supports that are strengths-focused and desirable to children and families. Through his joint appointment, he is also helping to bring together a country wide community of children, parents, clinicians, and researchers all working together to achieve the outcomes that matter most to children and their families.
Published research
A pilot evaluation of school-based LEGO robotics therapy for autistic students
There is emerging evidence that LEGO® therapy is an effective way of supporting younger autistic children develop their communication and social skills. LEGO® robotics therapy - which uses the principles of LEGO® therapy applied to LEGO® robotics - may be an age-appropriate intervention to reduce anxiety and increase social skills in autistic adolescents.
Support Preferences and Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) in the Clinical Care of Autistic Children: Stakeholder Perspectives
Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) are increasingly utilised within healthcare settings to enhance decision making. However, few studies have investigated their application in the context of clinical services for autistic people, with no research to date exploring the perspectives of the key stakeholders who are, or in the future may be, impacted by their use.
Investigating the impact of autistic children's feeding difficulties on caregivers
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of children's autism characteristics, sensory profiles and feeding difficulties on caregiver-reported impact at mealtimes.
Education and Qualifications
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) - University of Sydney
- Master of Applied Science (Communication Science and Disorders) - Univeristy of Sydney
- Doctor of Philosophy - University of Sydney
- Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist - Speech Pathology Australia