Clinical trials
Australian Infant Communication and Engagement Study (AICES)
The aim of this research program was to test the efficacy of the parent-led iBASIS-VIPP program for improving the developmental outcomes for babies aged 9 to 14 months of age showing early signs of autism, such as social and communication delays. Find out more about AICES here.
Frankie and Friends
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an app-based game designed by our team and The University of Western Australia to improve social information in autistic children.
Fish Oil Trial
The use of fish oil supplements as part of daily dietary intake is very common among autistic children. Some evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are important for brain development and may be of significant benefit to autistic children.
Fluoxetine for Autistic Behaviours (FAB) trial
Fluoxetine belongs to a class of medications known as the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) which are thought to help in treating repetitive behaviours. It is therefore important for us to know that fluoxetine is effective in treating repetitive behaviours in autistic children.
The TOBY trial
The TOBY trial was a multisite randomised controlled trial that looked at determining the effectiveness of the TOBY (Therapy Outcomes By You) Playpad application (app) as a complement to existing therapy and to examine the attitudes and beliefs of parents towards the TOBY app as an intervention method.
A clinical trial of oxytocin nasal spray for autistic toddlers
Adolescent and adult outcomes
Beyond Childhood
The aim of the Beyond Childhood study was to gain an understanding of autism across the life-course. The WA Autism Register was developed in 1999 and collected data from children with autism at the time of diagnosis.
Autism policy in Australia
The development of National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism in Australia.
Biological research
Australian Autism Biobank
The aim of the Australian Autism Biobank was to collect detailed information on autistic children and their families in Australia and to centralise the information so that it is accessible to those who are involved in autism research. Recent research, led by Mater Research and the University of Queensland and involving The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers, found that autistic individuals had less diverse gut bacteria because they were more likely to be picky eaters.
Studying the facial features of autistic children
The aim of this study was to determine whether autistic children have different facial features to typically developing children and to determine whether children with certain behaviours are more likely to have facial anomalies.
Pregnancy Investigation of Siblings and Mothers (PRISM) of children with autism
The PRISM study compared pregnancies in which the mother has had a previous child with autism to pregnancies in which there is no family history of autism.