Research Interests

In February 2003 I established an Early Intervention Research Program at Flinders University, aiming to provide information and services that make possible the commencement of home based therapy for autistic children. It will also serve to provide empirical data regarding the impact that early intervention has on reducing core deficit symptoms of autistic disorder. This program has now been packaged and will shortly be published through ACER under the name of StartRight.
I am currently undertaking research to investigate the efficacy our innovative Early Intervention Research Program (EIRP). The EIRP uses current best practice behavioural techniques to reduce the severity of childhood autistic behaviours. Key features of the EIRP are its focus on specific behaviours central to the disorder, its careful use of learning principles, and its applicability for use with very children.

Postgraduate Students

Selected Publications

Young, R. L., Williamson, P., Partington, C., Petkov, J., & Morrell, (in submission, Autism). The efficacy of an intensive early intervention program for young children with Autistic Disorder.

Martins, Y., Young, R. L., & Robson, D. C. (2008) Feeding and eating behaviors in children with autism and typically developing children. Journal of Autism Development Disorders, doi 10.1007/s10803-008-0583-5.

Clifford, S., Young, R., & Williamson, P. (2007). Assessing the early characteristics of Autistic Disorder using video analysis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 301-313.

Delinicolas, E., & Young, R. (2007). Joint attention and language social relating and stereotypical behaviours in children with autistic disoder. Autism, 11, 389-400.

Young, R. L. (2007). Autism detection in early childhood (ADEC) manual. Australian Council of Educational Research, Camberwell, Victoria, Australia.

This page contains a number of links to interesting pages that are relevant to my research.

Further details on research grants, publications, etc.