Senior Research Fellow
PhD
Dr Gail Alvares is a senior researcher within CliniKids, with a focus on improving mental health outcomes children diagnosed with autism and their families. Gail has led a range of research projects within the CliniKids team, including developing an attention game for children, evaluating outcomes for adolescents and adults diagnosed in childhood, and coordinating a national autism biobank.
In 2016, she was selected in a national competition by ABC’s Radio National as a “Top 5 Under 40” scientist in Australia, and in 2022 was named in the “Top 40 under 40” autism researchers internationally by Spectrum News. She is passionate about science communication and translation of research outcomes to the community.
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Projects
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Publications
April 2024
Investigating the impact of developmental coordination difficulties across home, school, and community settings: Findings from the Australian Impact for DCD survey
To evaluate the participation difficulties experienced by children with developmental coordination disorder in home, school, and community environments.
Published research Child Disability Autism Research Subsite: CliniKids Developmental Coordination Disorder Kids Rehab Research WAJanuary 2024Psychosocial wellbeing, parental concerns, and familial impact of children with developmental coordination disorder
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition impacting motor skill acquisition and competence. While previous studies have identified adverse psychosocial outcomes in DCD, they are limited by small or population-screened, community-based samples.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Child Disability Autism Research Developmental Coordination Disorder Child disabilityApril 2023Interactions between the lipidome and genetic and environmental factors in autism
Autism omics research has historically been reductionist and diagnosis centric, with little attention paid to common co-occurring conditions (for example, sleep and feeding disorders) and the complex interplay between molecular profiles and neurodevelopment, genetics, environmental factors and health. Here we explored the plasma lipidome in 765 children (485 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)) within the Australian Autism Biobank.
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism Research Subsite: CliniKidsApril 2023Reliability of the Commonly Used and Newly-Developed Autism Measures
The aim of the present study was to compare scale and conditional reliability derived from item response theory analyses among the most commonly used, as well as several newly developed, observation, interview, and parent-report autism instruments.
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism Research Subsite: CliniKidsMarch 2023Parental perspectives of the everyday experiences of uncertainty among young children on the autism spectrum
Anxiety commonly co-occurs in autism. Exploring and understanding potential underpinning mechanisms contributing to and maintaining anxiety in the early years is important in managing anxiety. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU), a tendency to find uncertainty difficult, is a transdiagnostic mechanism contributing to anxiety, but little is known about how IU may be experienced in young children on the autism spectrum. This study investigated parental perspectives of children's experiences of uncertainty.
Autism Spectrum Published research Subsite: CliniKidsAugust 2022A systematic review of the biological, social, and environmental determinants of intellectual disability in children and adolescents
This systematic review aimed to identify the most important social, environmental, biological, and/or genetic risk factors for intellectual disability.
Published research Alcohol and Pregnancy and FASD Research Child Disability Autism Research Subsite: CliniKids Early Neurodevelopment and Mental Health Child disabilityJune 2022Dental care experiences and clinical phenotypes in children on the autism spectrum
Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder may be at higher likelihood of experiencing poorer oral health and difficulties accessing dental health care. However, identifying which children on the autism spectrum may be more vulnerable to experiencing dental care difficulties is still unknown.
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism Research Subsite: CliniKidsJanuary 2022The Effects of Using the Sun Safe App on Sun Health Knowledge and Behaviors of Young Teenagers: Results of Pilot Intervention Studies
A balanced approach toward sun exposure and protection is needed by young people. Excessive sun exposure increases their risk for skin cancers such as melanoma, whereas some exposure is necessary for vitamin D and healthy bones. We have developed a new iOS smartphone app-Sun Safe-through a co-design process, which aims to support healthy and balanced decision-making by young teenagers (aged 12-13 years).
Published research Vitamin D and Sunlight Human Development and Community Wellbeing Cardiometabolic Sunhealth Subsite: CliniKids Technology & KidsMarch 2022An investigation of a novel broad autism phenotype: increased facial masculinity among parents of children on the autism spectrum
The broad autism phenotype commonly refers to sub-clinical levels of autistic-like behaviour and cognition presented in biological relatives of autistic people. In a recent study, we reported findings suggesting that the broad autism phenotype may also be expressed in facial morphology, specifically increased facial masculinity.
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism Research Subsite: Autism & Related Disorders Subsite: CliniKidsJuly 2022Toward better characterization of restricted and unusual interests in youth with autism
Despite being highly prevalent among people with autism, restricted and unusual interests remain under-researched and poorly understood. This article confirms that restricted interests are very frequent and varied among children and adolescents with autism. It also further extends current knowledge in this area by characterizing the relationship between the presence, number, and type of restricted interests with chronological age, sex, cognitive functioning, and social and communication symptoms.
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism Research Subsite: Autism & Related Disorders Subsite: CliniKidsNovember 2021Facial asymmetry in parents of children on the autism spectrum
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'.
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism Research Subsite: Autism & Related Disorders Subsite: CliniKidsMarch 2022Developing an Online Tool to Promote Safe Sun Behaviors With Young Teenagers as Co-researchers
Despite education about the risks of excessive sun exposure, teenagers in Australia are sun-seeking, with sunburn common in summer. Conversely, some regular (time-limited) exposure to sunlight (that avoids sunburn) is necessary for vitamin D and healthy bones and other molecules important for immune and metabolic health. New interventions are thus required to better support teenagers to make healthy and balanced decisions about their sun behaviors.
Published research Vitamin D and Sunlight Human Development and Community Wellbeing Inflammation Cardiometabolic Sunhealth Subsite: CliniKidsJune 2021Brief Report: Facial Asymmetry and Autistic-Like Traits in the General Population
Atypical facial morphology, particularly increased facial asymmetry, has been identified in some individuals with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Many cognitive, behavioural and biological features associated with ASC also occur on a continuum in the general population.
Autism Spectrum Published research Subsite: CliniKidsAugust 2021Investigating associations between birth order and autism diagnostic phenotypes
Birth order effects have been linked to variability in intelligence, educational attainment and sexual orientation. First- and later-born children have been linked to an increased likelihood of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, with a smaller body of evidence implicating decreases in cognitive functioning with increased birth order.
Autism Spectrum Published research Academic Biostatistics Child Disability Autism Research Diabetes and Obesity Subsite: CliniKidsNovember 2021Autism-related dietary preferences mediate autism-gut microbiome associations
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.
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism Research Subsite: CliniKidsNovember 2022Characterising the Early Presentation of Motor Difficulties in Autistic Children
This study aimed to explore the rates of motor difficulties in children from the Australian Autism Biobank, and how early motor concerns impacted on children functionally.
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism Research Subsite: CliniKidsSeptember 2021Effect of Preemptive Intervention on Developmental Outcomes Among Infants Showing Early Signs of Autism: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Outcomes to Diagnosis
Intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) typically commences after diagnosis. No trial of an intervention administered to infants before diagnosis has shown an effect on diagnostic outcomes to date.
Autism Spectrum Published research Academic Biostatistics Autism Research Subsite: Autism & Related Disorders Subsite: CliniKidsJuly 2021Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in autism spectrum disorder: Protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled clinical trial
There are no well-established biomedical treatments for the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A small number of studies suggest that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, may improve clinical and cognitive outcomes in ASD.
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism Research Subsite: Autism & Related Disorders Subsite: CliniKidsMay 2021The course and prognostic capability of motor difficulties in infants showing early signs of autism
Delays within the motor domain are often overlooked as an early surveillance marker for autism. The present study evaluated motor difficulties and its potential as an early predictive marker for later autism likelihood in a cohort of infants showing early behavioral signs of autism aged 9-14 months. The motor domain was evaluated using the motor subscales of the Mullen Scales of Early Learning at baseline, and at a 6-month follow-up.
Published research Academic Biostatistics Autism Research Subsite: Autism & Related Disorders Subsite: CliniKidsFebruary 2021Analysis of common genetic variation and rare CNVs in the Australian Autism Biobank
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition whose biological basis is yet to be elucidated. The Australian Autism Biobank (AAB) is an initiative of the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC) to establish an Australian resource of biospecimens, phenotypes and genomic data for research on autism.
Autism Spectrum Published research Subsite: Autism & Related Disorders Subsite: CliniKidsJanuary 2021The unmet clinical needs of children with developmental coordination disorder
The aim of this study was to understand the challenges experienced by families obtaining a diagnosis and therapy for developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Parents of 435 children aged 4-18 years with persistent motor difficulties consistent with a diagnosis of DCD completed an online survey. Diagnostic timeline and diagnostic label/s received were examined, along with therapies accessed.
Published research Subsite: Autism & Related Disorders Subsite: CliniKids Developmental Coordination DisorderNovember 2020Investigating associations between birth order and autism diagnostic phenotypes
Birth order effects have been linked to variability in intelligence, educational attainment and sexual orientation. First- and later-born children have been linked to an increased likelihood of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, with a smaller body of evidence implicating decreases in cognitive functioning with increased birth order. The present study investigated the potential association between birth order and ASD diagnostic phenotypes in a large and representative population sample.
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism Research Subsite: CliniKidsMarch 2020A preliminary investigation of the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on facial morphology in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
While early exposure to alcohol may influence the development of facial structures, it does not appear to be associated with ASD phenotypic variability
Autism Spectrum Published research Alcohol and Pregnancy and FASD Research Child Disability Autism ResearchFebruary 2020Prevalence of Motor Difficulties in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Analysis of a Population-Based Cohort
In this population-based cohort that included 2,084 children with autism aged ≤6 years, over one-third met the criteria for motor difficulties
Autism Spectrum Published research Child Disability Autism Research Youth Mental HealthJanuary 2020A broad autism phenotype expressed in facial morphology
These data provide the first evidence for a broad autism phenotype expressed in a physical characteristic
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism ResearchJanuary 2020The misnomer of ‘high functioning autism’: Intelligence is an imprecise predictor of functional abilities at diagnosis
We argue that 'high functioning autism' is an inaccurate clinical descriptor when based solely on intelligence quotient demarcations
Autism Spectrum Published research Child Disability Autism ResearchSeptember 2019Pre-emptive intervention versus treatment as usual for infants showing early behavioural risk signs of autism spectrum disorder
A pre-emptive intervention for the autism spectrum disorder prodrome had no immediate treatment effect on early autism spectrum disorder symptoms
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism ResearchJune 2019Reduced heart rate variability in adults with autism spectrum disorder
Our data suggest an overall dysregulation in resting autonomic activity in adults with autism spectrum disorder
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism ResearchJune 2019Very Early Identification and Intervention for Infants at Risk of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Transdiagnostic Approach
In this article, we examine the utility of a transdiagnostic, dimensional approach to very early identification and intervention for infants at risk of neurodevelopmental disorders
Published research Child Disability Autism Research Systems Immunology Youth Mental HealthMarch 2019The Brain Basis of Comorbidity in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
This review discusses early brain development and the etiological factors that may give rise to atypical developmental trajectories, along with neuroimaging insights
Published research Child Disability Autism Research Youth Mental HealthMarch 2019Brief social attention bias modification for children with autism spectrum disorder
Social attention can be acutely modified in children with ASD, with an increased tendency to orient attention toward faces after brief social attention training
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism ResearchJanuary 2019Characterizing the interplay between autism spectrum disorder and comorbid medical conditions: An integrative review
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
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism ResearchAugust 2018Study protocol for the Australian autism biobank: an international resource to advance autism discovery research
The Australian Autism Biobank was initiated to establish a large-scale repository of biological samples and detailed clinical information about children diagnosed with ASD
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism ResearchAugust 2018Reduced heart rate variability in a treatment-seeking early psychosis sample
Findings provide preliminary evidence that early psychosis is associated with reduced heart rate variability
Published research Autism ResearchAugust 2018Social impairments in autism spectrum disorder are related to maternal immune history profile
this study is the first to show an association between immune activation history in the mother and increased ASD symptom severity in children with ASD
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism ResearchApril 2018A prospective study of fetal head growth, autistic traits and autism spectrum disorder
This large population-based study identified no consistent association across two cohorts between prenatal head growth and postnatal autistic traits
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism ResearchJanuary 2018Attenuated psychophysiological reactivity following single-session group imagery rescripting versus verbal restructuring in social anxiety disorder
The current study highlights the specificity of brief imagery-based interventions in influencing psychophysiological reactivity in social anxiety disorder
Published research Autism ResearchNovember 2017Prenatal maternal stress events and phenotypic outcomes in Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASD, in the context of prenatal maternal stress exposure, may be associated with a more severe phenotype, particularly when there are multiple prenatal exposures
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism ResearchSeptember 2017A randomised controlled trial of an iPad-based application to complement early behavioural intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Technology-based interventions may provide a relatively low-cost addition to existing therapist-delivered interventions for children with ASD
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism ResearchAugust 2017Investigating facial phenotype in autism spectrum conditions: The importance of a hypothesis driven approach
The identification of differences in the facial phenotype of individuals with ASC may contribute to efforts to promote early identification of the condition and help elucidate etiological pathways.
Autism Spectrum Published research Child Disability Autism ResearchJuly 2017The correlation between central and peripheral oxytocin concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis
These results indicate a coordination of central and peripheral oxytocin release after stress and after intranasal administration
Published research Autism ResearchJune 2017Relationship between early motor milestones and severity of restricted and repetitive behaviors in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
This study provides the first evidence for the association between restricted and repetitive behaviors and age of attainment of early motor milestones.
Autism Spectrum Published research Autism Research -
Education and Qualifications