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Research
The use of psychotropic medications in autistic individuals (21 years and younger) in Western Australia: A preliminary investigationPrescriptions and use of medications to treat mental health conditions in young autistic populations are inconsistent worldwide. This makes it hard to compare findings from international studies to the Australian autistic population, where there are limited relevant studies. Apart from risperidone, there are no other medications specified for direct use in autistic persons. This study aims to gain initial broad understanding of the use of medications, commonly prescribed for mental health conditions, specifically by autistics under the age of 21 years.
Research
Dietary patterns and markers for the metabolic syndrome in Australian adolescentsOverweight and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well as their clustering, are increasingly prevalent among adolescents.

News & Events
The Kids welcomes new WA youth health policyThe Kids welcomes the launch of WA’s first policy on youth health which will give young people a voice in the planning of health services that affect them.
Research
Can joined-up data lead to joined-up thinking? The Western Australian Developmental Pathways ProjectModern societies are challenged by "wicked problems" - by definition, those that are difficult to define, multi-casual and hard to treat.

News & Events
Parent of a year 7 student? NOW is the best time to talk to your child about drinking alcoholSenior Research Officer from The Kids Research Institute Australia’s Human Development and Community Wellbeing team, Robyn Johnston, says now is actually a good time to start talking to them about alcohol - before they transition to the teenage years.
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Social environmental risk factors for transition to psychosis in an Ultra-High Risk population.Despite social environmental factors such as deprivation, urbanicity, migration and adversity being established risk factors for psychotic disorders...
Research
Low intake of B-vitamins is associated with poor adolescent mental health and behaviourThe current prevalence of mental health problems in Western populations is approximately 20% and half of all adult mental health disorders are estimated to...
Research
Thriving families: The feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a multi-component physical literacy program for children with neurodevelopmental, emotional, or behavioural problemsChildren with neurodevelopmental, emotional, or behavioural challenges participate in lower levels of physical activity (PA) and subsequently have poorer physical and mental health outcomes. We sought to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a multi-component physical literacy program for children with neurodevelopmental, emotional, or behavioural challenges.
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Neurocognitive and self-reported psychosocial and behavioral functioning in siblings of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions: a study using remote self-administered testingThis study compared and explored the neurocognitive profiles of siblings of persons with and without neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) and associations between objective test performance and self-reported psychosocial functioning.
Research
Justice capital: A model for reconciling structural and agentic determinants of desistanceThe emerging literature on desistance (and recovery from addictions) has focused on key life-course transitions that can be characterised as the need for jobs (meaningful activities), friends (transitioning to pro-social) and houses (a home free from threat). The term ‘recovery capital’ is used to characterise personal, social and community resources an individual can draw upon to support their recovery, partly bridging agentic (personal) and structural (community) factors.