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Research
Sertraline for anxiety in adults with a diagnosis of autism (STRATA): study protocol for a pragmatic, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised controlled trialSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed to manage anxiety in adults with an autism diagnosis. However, their effectiveness and adverse effect profile in the autistic population are not well known. This trial aims to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the SSRI sertraline in reducing symptoms of anxiety and improving quality of life in adults with a diagnosis of autism compared with placebo and to quantify any adverse effects.
Research
The valence-specific empathy imbalance hypothesis of autism: The role of autistic traits, alexithymia, emotion dysregulation, and gender differencesIndividuals exhibiting pronounced autistic traits (e.g., social differences and specialised interests) may struggle with cognitive empathy (i.e., the ability to infer others' emotions), although the relationship with affective empathy (i.e., the ability to share others' emotions) is less clear in that higher levels of autistic traits may be linked with increased affective empathy for negative emotions but reduced affective empathy for positive emotions. The current study investigates this empathy profile and whether alexithymia and emotion dysregulation help to explain it.
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Perceived Support Needs of School-Aged Young People on the Autism Spectrum and Their CaregiversWith increasing demands for health, disability and education services, innovative approaches can help distribute limited resources according to need. Despite an increased focus on support needs within the clinical pathway and policy landscape, the body of research knowledge on this topic is at a relatively early stage. However, there appears to be a sense of unmet support needs and dissatisfaction with the provision of required support following an autism diagnosis amongst caregivers of young people on the spectrum.
Research
Eye Gaze in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of Neural Evidence for the Eye Avoidance HypothesisReduced eye contact early in life may play a role in the developmental pathways that culminate in a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. However, there are contradictory theories regarding the neural mechanisms involved. According to the amygdala theory of autism, reduced eye contact results from a hypoactive amygdala that fails to flag eyes as salient. However, the eye avoidance hypothesis proposes the opposite-that amygdala hyperactivity causes eye avoidance. This review evaluated studies that measured the relationship between eye gaze and activity in the 'social brain' when viewing facial stimuli.
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Psychosocial and neurocognitive correlates of suicidal thoughts and behaviours amongst siblings of persons with and without neurodevelopmental conditionsSiblings of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) have greater incidence of neuropsychiatric diagnoses and neurocognitive difficulties compared to siblings of persons without NDCs. Despite suicidality being labelled a global health crisis (WHO, 2014) and NDC siblings experiencing risk factors implicated in suicidality, no previous studies examined suicidality amongst adolescent and young adult siblings of persons with NDCs. Our study aimed to bridge this gap.
News & Events
The Kids researchers honoured at Public Health Association AwardsTwo The Kids researchers working to improve the health & wellbeing of Aboriginal children & their families have both been honoured at the PHAA Awards.
Research
Prevalence of Motor Difficulties in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Analysis of a Population-Based CohortIn this population-based cohort that included 2,084 children with autism aged ≤6 years, over one-third met the criteria for motor difficulties
News & Events
More than 50% of women drink alcohol while pregnantA new study has found that more than half of West Australian women surveyed drank alcohol during pregnancy.
Research
Sleep problems and anxiety from 2 to 8 years and the influence of autistic traits: a longitudinal studyAnxiety and sleep problems may be an early indicator of autism in young children and early autistic traits may also contribute to anxiety problems later in childhood
Research
Health professionals' perceptions about the adoption of existing guidelines for the diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in AustraliaDespite the availability of five guidelines for the diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), there is no national endorsement for their use in...
Research
Developmental vitamin D deficiency increases foetal exposure to testosteroneAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders which are more common in males. The 'prenatal sex steroid' hypothesis links excessive sex-steroid exposure during foetal life with the behavioural differences observed in ASD. However, the reason why sex steroid exposure may be excessive remains unclear. Epidemiological studies have identified several environmental risk factors associated with ASD, including developmental vitamin D (DVD) deficiency.
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Recording a history of alcohol use in pregnancy: an audit of knowledge, attitudes and practice at a child development serviceTo assess the effectiveness of alcohol documentation and to measure the practice of health practitioners in relation to asking about alcohol and pregnancy.
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A new method of prenatal alcohol classification accounting for dose, pattern and timing of exposure:When examining the association between prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal effects, the timing and intensity of exposure have been ignored in epidemiological st
The Sibling Project focuses on children, adolescents and emerging adults who have a sibling with a disability, investigating their mental health, relationships and quality of life.
Guide our sibling research!
National Siblings Day is a holiday dedicated to celebrating the bond between siblings. It is a time to recognize the importance of siblings, whether they are brothers, sisters, step-siblings, or even those who feel like family.
We want to hear from siblings living outside of Australian cities!
Research
Asking QUestions about Alcohol in pregnancy (AQUA): A longitudinal cohort study of fetal effects of low to moderate alcohol exposureUsing detailed, prospective methods of data collection, the AQUA study will comprehensively examine the effects of low to moderate alcohol consumption...
Research
Evaluation of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Hub Australia websiteTo evaluate use and utility of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Hub Australia website.