Pictured: Professor Andrew Whitehouse
Telethon Kids Institute autism researcher Professor Andrew Whitehouse has been named a finalist in the 2023 Western Australian of the Year Awards for his work in transforming clinical support for autistic children in Australia.
One of three finalists in the Professions category, Professor Whitehouse (Angela Wright Bennett Professor of Autism Research at Telethon Kids and The University of Western Australia and Director of CliniKids) led the development of the first Australian guidelines for diagnosing autism and supporting autistic children. Both guidelines have resulted in major policy reforms and have empowered families to make more informed choices about supports for their child.
Professor Whitehouse led the research team which found the first evidence that a parent-led therapy (Inklings) applied very early in life could significantly reduce the challenges experienced by babies displaying the early signs of autism.
This research has transformed thinking around how and when autism supports can be delivered – from a ‘wait and see’ to an ‘identify and act’ approach so that children receive optimal support at the earliest opportunity. The Inklings program will soon be piloted in WA and in another State thanks to Federal Government funding.
Science communication is another of Professor Whitehouse’s strengths. He regular writes articles for The Conversation news website about autism and child development, while his popular 60 Second Science video series — which aims to inform the parent community about the latest autism research — has had more than two million views.
Professor Whitehouse’s work has been recognised through many awards, including a Eureka Prize, Fellowship to the prestigious Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (the youngest ever person to be awarded this honour), and being a finalist in the WA Australian of the Year 2023 Awards.
The winners of the Western Australian of the Year Awards will be announced on June 2 at Crown Towers.
First published Saturday 13 May 2023.
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About CliniKids
CliniKids is Telethon Kids Institute’s first team integrating world-class research with a clinical service for children with developmental delay and/or autism spectrum disorder and their families. By working side by side, our exceptional team of researchers and clinicians, led by Professor Andrew Whitehouse, put the research into practice, providing families with access to individually tailored, holistic supports and the best evidence-based therapies in the world.