David Trembath
Head of Autism Research; Senior Principal Research Fellow
BaAppSc, MAppSc, PhD
david.trembath@thekids.org.au
Professor David Trembath is Head of Autism Research and Senior Principal Research Fellow at CliniKids, The Kids Research Institute Australia. His human rights-based research focuses on optimising the learning, participation, and wellbeing of autistic children and their families, through the development and delivery of services and supports that are safe, effective, and desirable to them.
David brings to his work over 25 years as a speech pathologist in clinical, clinical-education, and university settings, and most importantly the insights children and families have shared with him over these years. In recent times, he has co-led the development and update of National Guidelines to support best practice in the delivery of services and supports to autistic people and their families across Australia. He has also co-led the development of the National Framework for assessing children’s functional strengths and support needs.
As Head of Autism Research, David’s role is to guide and support the outstanding team of people and programs of research within The Kids that are making positive differences to the lives of children and families throughout Australia. Within CliniKids, and through collaborative leadership, he helps bring together research, clinical service provision, and training in ways that ensure the translation of research to practice for the benefit of children, families, and those who support them.
Published research
Characterizing predictors of response to behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analytic approach
A 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.
Caregiver perspectives regarding the impact of feeding difficulties on mealtime participation for primary school-aged autistic children and their families
Although up to 89% of autistic children experience feeding difficulties, little is known about the impact of these difficulties on mealtime participation. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of feeding difficulties on the mealtime participation of autistic children and their families based on caregiver experiences.
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