Undestanding trajectories and biological underpinnings of children with autism who lose skills

Project Details

Substantial research has shown a subgroup of approximately 30% of children with autism who experience some form of developmental change, plateau or loss of skills (also known as regression) in the first few years of life. Our team is exploring the clinical profile and underlying genetic and neurobiological mechanisms in children with autism who experience regression.

Researchers

  • Professor Katrina Williams, APEX Australia Chair of Developmental Medicine, Paediatrician and Public Health Physician,
  • Alexandra Ure

Collaborators

We collaborate with a range of different groups including those from the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Deakin University, Djerriwarrh Health Services (DjHS) Melton, and the Living with Autism Cooperative Research Centre.

Funding

We are funded through the NHMRC, ARC and various philanthropic organisations.

Research Outcomes

  1. Brignell A, Williams K, Prior M, Donath S, Reilly S, Bavin EL, Eadie P, Morgan AT. Parent-reported patterns of loss and gain in communication in 1- to 2-year-old children are not unique to autism spectrum disorder. Autism. 2016. doi: 10.1177/1362361316644729.
  2. Williams K, Brignell A, Prior M, Bartak L, Roberts J. Regression in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 2015; 51(1):61-4. DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12805.

Research Group

Autism Research Team



Faculty Research Themes

Child Health

School Research Themes

Child Health in Medicine, Neuroscience & Psychiatry



Key Contact

For further information about this research, please contact the research group leader.

Department / Centre

Paediatrics

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