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Research

In the majority of people, language production is lateralized to the left cerebral hemisphere and visuospatial skills to the right.

Research

This study investigated whether exposure to high pregestational BMI (≥ 25 kg/m2) is associated with alterations in white matter microstructure in early childhood, explored sex-specific effects, and examined associations with cognitive performance.

Research

The broadening of the clinical definition of autism over time-the so-called, autism spectrum-has run in parallel with the growth of a neurodiversity movement that has reframed the concept of autism entirely. Without a coherent and evidence-based framework through which both of these advances can be situated, the field is at risk of losing definition altogether.

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Perth researchers who were involved in an international study which examined two different techniques used to intubate newborns and young babies during surgery expect the findings to lead to a change in global practice.

Research

We tested the potential for Gazefinder eye-tracking to support early autism identification, including feasible use with infants, and preliminary concurrent validity of trial-level gaze data against clinical assessment scores. We embedded the ~ 2-min 'Scene 1S4' protocol within a comprehensive clinical assessment for 54 consecutively-referred, clinically-indicated infants (prematurity-corrected age 9-14 months).

Research

A diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition (autism) provides limited information regarding an individual’s level of functioning, information key in determining support and funding needs.

Research

Natural Language Sampling (NLS) offers clear potential for communication and language assessment, where other data might be difficult to interpret. We leveraged existing primary data for 18-month-olds showing early signs of autism, to examine the reliability and concurrent construct validity of NLS-derived measures coded from video-of child language, parent linguistic input, and dyadic balance of communicative interaction-against standardised assessment scores. Using Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT) software and coding conventions, masked coders achieved good-to-excellent inter-rater agreement across all measures.

Research

Autism omics research has historically been reductionist and diagnosis centric, with little attention paid to common co-occurring conditions (for example, sleep and feeding disorders) and the complex interplay between molecular profiles and neurodevelopment, genetics, environmental factors and health. Here we explored the plasma lipidome in 765 children (485 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)) within the Australian Autism Biobank.

Research

Despite being highly prevalent among people with autism, restricted and unusual interests remain under-researched and poorly understood. This article confirms that restricted interests are very frequent and varied among children and adolescents with autism. It also further extends current knowledge in this area by characterizing the relationship between the presence, number, and type of restricted interests with chronological age, sex, cognitive functioning, and social and communication symptoms.

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A project led by The Kids Research Institute Australia’s child disability team will seek to reduce potentially preventable hospitalisations and build health literacy for children and young people with intellectual disability.

Research

In the disability sector globally, and specifically in Australia, assessments of functioning have become key to diagnostic processes, and accessing therapy and funding. Over half of all individuals accessing support through Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme have a neurodevelopmental condition diagnosis.

Research

Developmental theory and previous studies support the potential value of prodromal interventions for infants at elevated likelihood of developing autism. Past research has supported the efficacy of parent-mediated prodromal therapies with infants from as early as 7 months. We outline the rationale for implementing interventions following this model from even earlier in development and report on the feasibility of a novel intervention developed following this model of parent-mediated infant interventions.

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Pioneering Aboriginal psychiatrist, mental health champion and Western Australia’s 2021 Australian of the Year Professor Helen Milroy is among 10 ‘everyday Australians’ who will accompany Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor General David Hurley to the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

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When Ballajura mum Filomena saw a callout to families to participate in a simple sore throat study to combat Strep A infections, she didn’t think twice.

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Paediatric audiologist Associate Professor Chris Brennan-Jones has been announced as a finalist for the country’s leading national science awards – the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.

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Four The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers from a diverse range of fields have been named as finalists for the prestigious 2022 Premier’s Science Awards.

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Not only are cooked eggs perfectly safe to eat during pregnancy, they are also a great way to boost nutrient intake for both mums and bubs.

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Researchers will be asking random households across metropolitan Perth to undertake COVID tests to reveal how much undetected infection is in the community.

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Congratulations to two of The Kids Research Institute Australia’s most respected female researchers – Professor Donna Cross and Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg – on being inducted into the Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame.

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A The Kids Research Institute Australia ear health researcher has received a prestigious national fellowship to support her search for new therapies to improve the lives of kids who suffer repeat middle ear infections.