children – Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre

Barbie doll in a pink dress on a pink background. various accessories for playing with a doll.

How realistic is Mattel’s new autistic Barbie?

Autistic people are so rarely depicted in media and entertainment, it’s no wonder most people don’t really understand much about the neurotype. This article is republished from The Conversation.

Jake Mulligan January 16, 2026

A little girl happily eating a slice of watermelon on a sunny day, with juice dripping down her chin

Supports and practices for daily living

The Feeding Difficulties in Young Children: A Policy and Practice Framework

The Feeding Difficulties Conceptual Framework provides a structure for multidisciplinary collaboration, supporting individualised, context-sensitive, family-centred, and inclusive care.

Alex Haschek September 24, 2025

Two woman and a child are sitting on a bed, engaging with a tablet together

Identification and diagnosis

What’s the best way to support autistic kids with “mild to moderate” delay?

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Authored by David Trembath, Andrew Whitehouse and Kandice Varcin.

Jake Mulligan September 9, 2025

Teen stands front the words STOP BULLYING on the purple wall.

Autism perspectives Educational and vocational engagement Health and wellbeing

At school and in danger: Why we need to end the bullying of Autistic students and how we can do it

Autistic students are not safe in Australian schools. A new submission to the Australian government calls for urgent, evidence-based action to end this crisis.

LTU Digital Engagement and Recruitment August 7, 2025

A classroom filled with numerous chairs and lockers, showcasing a typical educational environment

Educational and vocational engagement Supports and practices for daily living

Sensory-friendly learning: Strategies for inclusive classrooms

A classroom scene showcasing a table cluttered with diverse learning materials and supplies for students

Alex Haschek October 28, 2024

Two women seated in chairs engaged in a conversation, smiling and sharing ideas with each other

Impact stories Supports and practices for daily living

Supporting neurodivergent young people in the United Kingdom

Findings from the landmark Lancet Commission on Autism are shaping UK policy, providing evidence for more integrated and equitable support for neurodivergent children and young people.

Alex Haschek October 24, 2024

A sick child with a washer on their head hugs a teddy bear with a thermometer in their mouth

Ask an Autism Researcher Family wellbeing Health and wellbeing

The ‘fever effect’ in autism

Gut bacteria don’t cause autism. Autistic kids’ microbiome differences are due to picky eating

Alex Haschek October 17, 2024

Radio broadcasting station desk, microphone

Identification and diagnosis News

PODCAST: Seeing into the future of autism detection

OTARC's Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro and Duke University's Professor Geraldine Dawson speak to Andrew Saintsing, PhD, Intern, and Stephanie DeMarco, PhD, Managing Editor of the Drug Discovery News Dialogues podcast about early identification of autism.

Alex Haschek September 20, 2024

A person walks an assistance dog on a harness with an orange jacket, enjoying a sunny day in a park

Ask an Autism Researcher Autism supports Supports and practices for daily living

Autism assistance dogs

A recent NDIS study compares the benefits of assistance dogs and pet dogs for Autistic individuals. Learn about the social, emotional, and practical impacts on families, as well as the challenges they face.

Alex Haschek September 6, 2024

Identification and diagnosis

How to talk to your child about their autism diagnosis – the earlier the better

Associate Proffessor Josephine Barabro has some tips on how to talk about diagnosis

Alex Haschek July 25, 2023