Research – Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre

Three women in business dress smiling at the camera. A lush Australian garden in the background

Autism hub turns research into real-world support

La Trobe University will establish a new national autism research and knowledge translation hub aimed to improve the lives of Autistic people across Australia. Read more about the Hub and hear from our academic leads about what the hub is, what it will do and how we will work with community.

Alex Haschek June 25, 2026

Autistic Adults Impact stories Mental Health

Evidence into action: A neuro-affirming Toolkit for suicide prevention

The span.toolkit provides healthcare professionals with neuro-affirming resources to better identify and support Autistic adults at risk of suicide.

Alex Haschek April 16, 2026

Front cover of Catalonia’s 2025 Health Protocol The cover shows a childes drawing of happy people and animals with the text - Protocol d'activitats preventives i de promoció de la salut a l'edat pediàtrica: créixer amb salut.

Identification and diagnosis Impact stories SACS

Early autism identification integrated into Catalonia’s 2025 Health Protocol

Read about how our early autism identification research, including the SACS tool and the ASDetect app, has been integrated into Catalonia's 2025 national public health protocol.

Alex Haschek July 31, 2025

A person's head adorned with vibrant rainbow-colored paint, showcasing a creative and artistic expression

Autistic Adults Health and wellbeing Mental Health

Mental Health of Autistic Adults

Learn about the unique mental health challenges Autistic adults face, including diagnostic difficulties, co-occurring conditions, and tools like HADS, PHQ-9, Brief COPE and SAK-MI.

Alex Haschek November 21, 2024

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

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

Person sitting in silhouette watching a sunset

Policy advocacy Study summary

Critical paper and policy brief: Suicide and Autistic people

We recently published a critical paper on suicide mortality rates in Autistic people and a corresponding policy brief to inform public health policy in the future.

Alex Haschek September 10, 2024