Reduced eye contact early in life may play a role in the developmental pathways that culminate in a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. However, there are contradictory theories regarding the neural mechanisms involved. According to the amygdala theory of autism, reduced eye contact results from a hypoactive amygdala that fails to flag eyes as salient. However, the eye avoidance hypothesis proposes the opposite-that amygdala hyperactivity causes eye avoidance. This review evaluated studies that measured the relationship between eye gaze and activity in the 'social brain' when viewing facial stimuli. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2022
• February 2022

In this population-based cohort that included 2,084 children with autism aged ≤6 years, over one-third met the criteria for motor difficulties ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2020
• February 2020

Our findings contribute to the genotype–phenotype data for atypical nested 22q11.2 duplications, with implications for genetic counseling ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2019
• February 2019

We review medical conditions that have been repeatedly highlighted as sharing the strongest associations with ASD-epilepsy, sleep, as well as gastrointestinal and immune functioning ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2019
• January 2019

The Guideline aims to create greater consistency in diagnostic practices across the country to ensure individuals on the autism spectrum can receive the optimal care ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2018
• January 2018

Numerous studies have observed that a proportion of infants later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience accelerated head growth... ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2015
• January 2015

This paper profiles the functional pattern of DNA variants found at a higher rate in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), X-linked intellectual... ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2014
• June 2014

Autism is a disorder characterized by a core impairment in social behaviour. A prominent component of this social deficit is poor orienting to speech. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2008
• July 2008

Impairment in social motivation (SM) has been suggested as a key mechanism underlying social communication deficits observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the factors accounting for variability in SM remain poorly described and understood. The current study aimed to characterize the relationship between parental and proband SM. Data from 2,759 children with ASD and their parents from the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC) project was included in this study. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2021
• May 2021

We argue that 'high functioning autism' is an inaccurate clinical descriptor when based solely on intelligence quotient demarcations ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2020
• January 2020

This large population-based study identified no consistent association across two cohorts between prenatal head growth and postnatal autistic traits ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2018
• April 2018

Little is known about parent preferences regarding delivery methods of early interventions. This research examined, through parent report, the current and preferred delivery methods of seven common educational early interventions accessed by New Zealand children with autism spectrum disorder. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2021
• September 2021