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Autism Research

The Kids' autism research takes place at CliniKids, a centre that integrates world-class research with a clinical service for children with developmental delay and/or autism and their families. Our team of researchers work in partnership with clinicians to give the community access to the world's best evidence-based therapies.

CliniKids researchers investigate the early identification and support of autistic children. CliniKids research focuses on young children with developmental delay; therapies for autistic children; adolescent and adult outcomes; autism policy; and biological research.

The team comprises more than 40 researchers and clinicians from a variety of backgrounds (psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, genetics, education, nursing, neuroscience). Researchers are funded through grants from the NHMRC, ARC, NIH and other competitive research funding bodies. The team collaborates with over 200 researchers from around the world, and is a prominent partner within the Autism Cooperative Research Centre.

The team is also committed to the translation of scientific knowledge, as demonstrated through our work in scientific communication ('60 Second Science' video series, viewed by more than 1.5 million people), and our leadership on national policy (researchers led the development of Australia’s first guidelines for autism diagnosis and support for autistic children and their families).

The CliniKids Team is focused on conducting research on the most pressing issues facing the autism community through:

  • Improving lives by discovering acceptable, feasible and effective/efficacious methods for reducing challenges associated with autism.
  • Connecting research outcomes to policy by working with the State and Federal Governments to develop evidence-based policy for autistic individuals.
  • Developing research infrastructure by creating a research base that can be connected to international research efforts.
  • Building a community and developing ways for the autism community to connect in a positive and beneficial way.

Team highlights

  • The completion and publication of the first Australian clinical guideline for supporting autistic children and their families, which was endorsed by the NHMRC council in February 2023.
  • The completion and publication of the first Australian clinical guideline for ASD assessment diagnosis, which was endorsed by the NHMRC council in July 2018.
  • Completion of the Australian Autism Biobank, Australia’s largest repository of biological information collected form children with ASD and their families (>5000 biospecimens). 
  • Publication of more than 20 peer-reviewed papers;/year, including many in high-ranging journals (e.g., Pediatrics, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Nature Communications).

Team leader

Deputy Director (Research); Angela Wright Bennett Professor of Autism Research at The Kids Research Institute Australia; Director, CliniKids

Aarti Saiganesh
Aarti Saiganesh

BSc (Hons), PhD

Senior Program Manager, CliniKids

Team members (17)

David Trembath
David Trembath

BaAppSc, MAppSc, PhD

Honorary Research Fellow

Dr Kandice Varcin
Dr Kandice Varcin

M.Psych (Clinical), PhD

Honorary Research Associate

Jess Reynolds
Jess Reynolds

BSc(Hons), BScTech, PhD W.Aust. SpecCertCR(Neuro) Melb.

Speech Pathologist

Dr Rhylee Sulek

Dr Rhylee Sulek

Honorary Research Associate

Dr Rachelle Wicks

Dr Rachelle Wicks

Honorary Research Associate

Alena Clark

Alena Clark

Project Manager

Celine Bollinger

Celine Bollinger

Senior Administration Officer

Jack Brett

Jack Brett

Research Fellow

Noor Chehayber

Noor Chehayber

Project Administration Officer

Debbie Eamer

Debbie Eamer

Project Officer

Georgina Earl

Georgina Earl

Clinical Research Assessor

Amanda Lewis

Amanda Lewis

Communications Specialist

Kathi Roiger

Kathi Roiger

Clinical Research Assessor

Rebecca Kuzminiski

Rebecca Kuzminiski

Project Coordinator

Autism research videos

Reports and Findings

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Sex-specific white matter alterations in children exposed to high pregestational BMI

This study investigated whether exposure to high pregestational BMI (≥ 25 kg/m2) is associated with alterations in white matter microstructure in early childhood, explored sex-specific effects, and examined associations with cognitive performance.

Autism Early Intervention Providers: Their Priorities, Use of Empirically Supported Practices, and Professional Development Needs

Autism early intervention research has indicated a research-to-practice gap, including continued use of practices with inadequate research support, and insufficient use of empirically supported practices. The present study explored the processes and mechanisms through which providers working with young children on the autism spectrum learn, select, and implement the various practices in their clinical repertoires. 

Early markers of adult symptoms of depression and anxiety in the Raine Study

Early intervention offers the potential to mitigate adult mental illness; however, trials spanning decades present significant challenges, necessitating predictive early markers useable in trial settings. We hypothesised that parent evaluation using the child behaviour checklist (CBCL) total problem score at age two years predicted adult depressive and anxious symptoms and explored other potential parent ratings.

Critical Appraisal of Systematic Reviews Assessing Gut Microbiota and Effect of Probiotic Supplementation in Children with ASD—An Umbrella Review

Given the significance of gut microbiota in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we aimed to assess the quality of systematic reviews (SRs) of studies assessing gut microbiota and effects of probiotic supplementation in children with ASD. PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Medline, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to November 2024. 

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