Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre – Page 11 – Evidence-based autism research

Ask a Researcher – Should I use Melatonin to…

December 19, 2013June 5, 2018

I have a 6-year-old daughter who has been diagnosed with ASD. I have received many recommendations from other parents regarding the use of melatonin to aid my daughter’s sleep. She is a typical ASD kid, who can be in bed by 8pm after the shower, reading, drink routine, but still active 3 hours later. Any advice you have would be appreciated.

Inside the Lab

Inside the Lab – Episode 3: Autism in China

December 5, 2013July 2, 2018

Professor Cheryl Dissanayake, Dr Josephine Barbaro and Associate Professor Chongying Wang discuss Autism in China. Episode 3: Tuesday 26th November: the state of autism in China, pilot implementation of of early identification using Social Attention and Communication Study (SACS), comparing SACS (surveillance) with M-CHAT and CHAT-23 (screening), training medical professionals in Tianjin, the future government Implementation of SACS in Tianjin, tension between research in developing and developed world, translation of diagnostic and assessment tools into Chinese, influence of cultural differences and one child policy on identification, necessity for public awareness, the need for early intervention, telehealth approaches to intervention, the need for Global Knowledge Transfer.

Watch ‘Inside the Lab’ episode 3 on YouTube here.

Inside the Lab

Inside the Lab – Episode 2: Stakeholder driven research

October 4, 2013July 2, 2018

Dr Kristelle Hudry, Ms Amanda Golding and Professor Ann Le Couteur discuss recent news and developments in Autism research. topic covered include the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Autism Research Policy Hub in Cardiff, issues facing adults, stakeholder driven research, Autism CRC, database for children with autism spectrum disorder living in the north east of England.

Watch ‘Inside the Lab’ episode 2 on YouTube here.

Ask an Autism Researcher

Early identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Why it’s important…

September 27, 2013June 5, 2018

By Dr Josephine Barbaro, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at OTARC and ASD Specialist in Australia’s first Early Assessment Clinic for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Since beginning research on the early identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders back in 2005 as part of my PhD program, the Social Attention and Communication Study (SACS), I was often asked “What’s the point of identifying children at 2 years of age or younger if there are very few or no services for them?” You see, back in 2005, there wasn’t the Helping Children with Autism Package for families of children on the spectrum (aged 0 – 7), or intervention programs like the Early Start Denver Model – the first intervention model with strong empirical evidence for its effectiveness in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with ASDs. So, at this time, many families had to wait on long waiting lists for early intervention services, as long as 18 months in some cases, to receive a few hours a week of services! It was therefore difficult to convince some people, both in the public and private sectors, of the importance of early detection and subsequent intervention.

Ask an Autism Researcher

Fever & behaviour changes

September 27, 2013June 5, 2018

My daughter has just turned 8 and is severely affected by classic autism. She is non-verbal. Recently she had a fever and her behaviour changed dramatically. She wanted to be held, maintained eye contact for lengthy periods and most incredibly – spoke words very clearly! She said her brother’s name and repeatedly said “Mum”. I have to repeat how incredible this is as she is completely non-verbal. Please somebody research this phenomenon!

Read more “Fever & behaviour changes” →

Ask an Autism Researcher

Choosing a school for a child with Autism Spectrum…

September 27, 2013January 20, 2023

By Professor Margot Prior, OTARC Adjunct

Having a child who is starting school is a big transition for every family. But imagine if that child had an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – what a very big challenge that can be! What school will the parents choose?

Ask an Autism Researcher

Intellectual Development in Autism – discussion

August 29, 2013June 7, 2018

By Dr Giacomo Vivanti

Since its publication our paper “Intellectual Development in Autism” has been subject to debate and discussion. In the paper, we advance the thesis that symptoms of autism, by precluding children to fully take advantage of the social input from the environment during early critical periods, might negatively affect their intellectual development. Therefore, children who have severe symptoms of ASD may be at increased risk of developing intellectual disability, as a consequence of more severe “virtual deprivation” from environmental input.

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New program helping clinicians to evaluate client outcomes

August 7, 2013May 30, 2018

by Dr David Trembath

N1: Practice is Research

The N1 Practice is Research Training Package is designed to teach clinicians how to evaluate client outcomes using Single Case Experimental Designs (also known as N1 designs). This training package provides a first step for allied health professionals and educators who work with individuals with developmental disability and their families to work with us to promote evidence-based practice. Read more “New program helping clinicians to evaluate client outcomes” →

Ask an Autism Researcher

Why do many children with Autism have an Intellectual…

July 11, 2013June 5, 2018

by Dr Giacomo Vivanti

Many individuals with Autism have Intellectual Disability (that is, below average I.Q. and poor adaptive functioning). What is the nature of this association? Data published from a recent study at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC), Intellectual development in autism spectrum disorders, provide new insight into this complex issue. Read more “Why do many children with Autism have an Intellectual Disability?” →

Ask an Autism Researcher

School refusal

June 26, 2013January 20, 2023

What can be done to help a school refuser?