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Characterizing restricted and unusual interests in autistic youthA broad range of interests characterized by unusual content and/or intensity, labeled as circumscribed interests are a core diagnostic feature of autism. Recent evidence suggests that a distinction can be drawn between interests that, although characterized by unusually high intensity and/or inflexibility, are otherwise common in terms of their content (e.g., an interest in movies or animals), labeled as restricted interests and interests that are generally not salient outside of autism (e.g., an interest in traffic lights or categorization), labeled as unusual interests.
Research
Profiles of circumscribed interests in autistic youthCircumscribed interests encompass a range of different interests and related behaviors that can be characterized by either a high intensity but otherwise usual topic [referred to as restricted interests] or by a focus on topics that are not salient outside of autism [referred to as unusual interests].
Research
Parent-reported atypical development in the first year of life and age of autism diagnosisThis study examined whether parent-reported atypical development in their child's first year was associated with age of diagnosis and age when parents first needed to consult a specialist about their child's development.
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AWESOME ASD guide opens the world of art to kids with autismFor kids on the autism spectrum, it’s not always easy to enjoy art without becoming overwhelmed, overstimulated or anxious.
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National guidelines bring new order to autism diagnosisClinicians across Australia are looking forward to the release of the country’s first national guidelines for the diagnosis of autism.
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The Kids Research Institute Australia researcher a finalist for 2017 Eureka PrizeAutism researcher, Professor Andrew Whitehouse from The Kids has been named a finalist in the Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science
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Prime Minister visits The KidsWe welcomed the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann and Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop to the Institute.
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The Kids Research Institute Australia researcher wins Premier’s Science AwardInfectious diseases researcher, Dr Asha Bowen, has won the Early Career Scientist of the Year Premier's Science Award for 2017.
Research
Absence of association between maternal adverse events and long-term gut microbiome outcomes in the Australian autism biobankMaternal immune activation and prenatal maternal stress are well-studied risk factors for psychiatric conditions such as autism and schizophrenia. Animal studies have proposed the gut microbiome as a mechanism underlying this association and have found that risk factor-related gut microbiome alterations persist in the adult offspring.
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Unpacking PACT - a program supporting child communicationIn this new blog, Senior Speech Pathologist and PACT therapist/trainer Sally Grauaug discusses the benefits of PACT, how it works and how clinicians become certified PACT therapists.