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Absence of association between maternal adverse events and long-term gut microbiome outcomes in the Australian autism biobank

Maternal immune activation and prenatal maternal stress are well-studied risk factors for psychiatric conditions such as autism and schizophrenia. Animal studies have proposed the gut microbiome as a mechanism underlying this association and have found that risk factor-related gut microbiome alterations persist in the adult offspring.

Low-intensity parent- and clinician-delivered support for young autistic children in Aotearoa New Zealand: a randomised controlled trial

Aotearoa New Zealand does not provide publicly-funded intensive autism support. While parent-mediated supports are promising, children and families may also benefit from direct clinician support. We tested the efficacy of a low-intensity programme involving parent- and clinician-delivered support for autistic children.

Funding boost to help researchers better understand how language develops

Telethon Kids Institute researchers have been awarded an Australian Research Council grant to explore how testosterone levels in the womb can impact on a child'

Physical Development

This research domain focuses on understanding how early biological and physical factors shape infant growth, body composition, and neurodevelopment from the earliest stages of life.

Sex-Specific Effects of Birth Weight on Longitudinal Behavioral Outcomes: A Mendelian Randomization Approach Using Polygenic Scores

It is unclear whether sex differences in behavior arising from birth weight (BW) are genuine because of the cross-sectional nature and potential confounding in previous studies. We aimed to test whether sex differences associated with BW phenotype were reproducible using a Mendelian randomization approach, i.e., association between polygenic score (PGS) for BW and behavior outcomes across childhood and adolescence. 

Autism researcher wins accolade for science videos

Professor Andrew Whitehouse has been awarded an Autism Spectrum Australia Recognition Award for his work communicating scientific findings to families.

Breakthrough autism program makes headlines around the world

Autism researchers at the The Kids Research Institute Australia have found the first evidence that therapy in infancy can reduce the likelihood of a clinical autism diagnosis in early childhood.

‘It depends entirely on the nature of those supports’: Community perceptions of the appropriateness of early support services for autistic children

We do not know much about what support services people think are okay for young autistic children. This study was a survey of 253 people. We asked autistic adults, parents, and professionals from Australia and New Zealand whether they thought it was okay to provide support services to autistic children. 

Game-changing program for kids with social and communication differences

A world-first program for babies with differences in their social and communication skills is aiming to help parents and caregivers better understand the different ways their child communicates.

Child and Family Characteristics Associated with Symptoms of Anxiety in Autistic Children: A Biobank Study

Autistic children have an increased likelihood of anxiety, but more research is needed on the characteristics that predict various types of anxiety in this population.