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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.

Greater facial asymmetry has been consistently found in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) relative to children without ASD. There is substantial evidence that both facial structure and the recurrence of ASD diagnosis are highly heritable within a nuclear family. Furthermore, sub-clinical levels of autistic-like behavioural characteristics have also been reported in first-degree relatives of individuals with ASD, commonly known as the 'broad autism phenotype'.

Andrew Matt Videos Whitehouse Watch and listen to Andrew Cooper PhD BCA Marketing, BSc Statistics and Applied Statistics, PhD Deputy Director (

There is increasing interest in the potential contribution of the gut microbiome to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, previous studies have been underpowered and have not been designed to address potential confounding factors in a comprehensive way.

CliniKids is the first clinical service of The Kids Research Institute Australia, providing autism therapies and supports for young children.

Video technology is helping researchers learn more about the early communication style of infants with a family history of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability.

Director of CliniKids, Professor Andrew Whitehouse, and Professor Murray Maybery, have been identified as the world’s most frequent autism research collaborators of the decade.

The CliniKids team has reimagined how allied health services for children with autism spectrum disorder or developmental delays are delivered.

Professor Andrew Whitehouse, who has helped transform clinical support for children on the autism spectrum in Australia, is nominated for WA's 2023 Australian of the Year.

Professor Andrew Whitehouse has been inducted as the youngest-ever Fellow to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.