Supports and practices for daily living
We develop and evaluate evidence-based practices and supports that enable autistic people to live a life that is meaningful to them across the lifespan.
Research program leader:
Professor Alison Lane
Researchers:
Cheryl Dissanayake, Megan Clark, Josephine Barbaro, Katy Unwin
Many of our studies focus on early supports for autistic pre-school children and building supports for their families. We explore how best to promote positive outcomes for autistic children and their families. We acknowledge that supports at any age provide benefits for autistic people and their families.
We also explore how best to support learning in the natural environments of young children. For example, in early childhood education and care settings and the home, which is the key early learning environment of all children.
We are currently investigating:
- the long-term outcomes of autistic children diagnosed early who accesses early supports,
- the effect of different learning environments on supports outcomes,
- predictors of developmental outcomes to different types of supports,
- the support their families provide and need, and
- the family outcomes of autistic children accessing early supports.
New Research!
Has the shift to individualised NDIS funding changed the profiles of children accessing supports? Read our latest research from our embedded research program at the Margot Prior Autism Intervention Centre.
The Early Start Denver Model
A naturalistic developmental behavioural support program we have focused on is the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). We’ve found that young children receiving Group ESDM within mainstream childcare make similar gains to those receiving this support program within autism-specific settings.
We also examine different models of early support delivery to allow us to match children to specific early support programs from which they will make the most gains in learning. In addition, we also study how best to enhance learning by coaching parents to deliver the ESDM. In so doing, understanding families’ experiences with their autistic children provides important information regarding how best to support both the children and their families.
- Kurt Fearnley, Rebecca Falkingham, Bill Shorten have NDIS work cut out - The Canberra Times 2022
- Language boost for kids at autism risk - LTU News 2019
- Video intervention offers promising language boost for kids at risk of autism - LTU News 2019
Establishment of an international research consortium focused on feeding challenges in autistic children
Funding: La trobe University
Alison Lane, Brittany St John, Karla Ausderau, & Asmita Mudholkar
Perceptions of neurodiversity affirming practice: Development of a new measure
Funding: La trobe University
Simon Bury, Rebecca Flower, Rachel Jellett, & Darren Hedley
Child and Family Outcomes of children receiving the Group - Early Start Denver Model (G-ESDM)
The aim in this long-term study is to establish the social and learning outcomes of autistic children and their families who access the G-ESDM at the Margot Prior Autism Intervention centre and the La Trobe Community Children’s Centre.
Cheryl Dissanayake, Ifrah Abdullahi, Victorian ASELCC Team
Comparing learning and social outcomes of preschoolers with Autism in inclusive versus specialised settings: A Randomized Control Trial to test a new model of early intervention delivery
Georgia Lynch, Cheryl Dissanayake, Ifrah Abdullahi, Victorian ASELCC Team
Combining intranasal oxytocin with parent mediated Early Start Denver Model: A Randomised, Double-blind, Repeated Dose Study
Funding: NH&MRC
The primary aim in this multi-site study is to determine the efficacy of a 12-week program of oxytocin (OT) when combined with the Parent-delivered Early Start Denver Model (P-ESDM), an early social learning intervention program in young children aged 3-5 years.
Adam Guastella, Geralidine Dawson, Cheryl Dissanayake, Valsamma Eapen, Yun Ju (Christine) Song, Ruth Feldman, Natalie Silove, Rachel Jellett, Katy Unwin, Sally Rogers
Australian Infant Communication and Engagement Study (AICES)
This is a multisite (Perth, Melbourne), randomised clinical trial conducted in partnership with Telethon Kids Institute, Western Australia Child Development Service and the University of Manchester.
From Telethon Kids institute: Andrew Whitehouse, Kandice Varcin, Maryam Boutrus, Matthew Cooper; From La Trobe University: Cheryl Dissanayake, Kristelle Hudry, Josephine Barbaro, Teresa Iacono; John Wray (Department of Health WA), Jonathan Green (University of Manchester), Carol Taylor (University of Manchester), Ming Wai Wan (University of Manchester), Vicky Slonims (Guys’ and St Thomas Hospital, London), Murray Mayber (University of Western Australia), Emma Davidson (Child and Adolescent Health Service)
Understanding the relationships between autistic behaviours, cognition, and family vulnerability in young children receiving group-based Early Start Denver Model