Experts push for autism hub to deliver support and treatments to families

Medical experts are pushing to develop a new autism hub in Sydney that will provide support and credible treatments to families.

The project is a collaboration between the Children’s Hospital in Westmead and the Brain and Mind Centre in Camperdown and aims to fill the void of an under-researched condition that affects one in 65 Australian children.

“Since the 1980’s, there has been barely any trials that have examined the effectiveness of therapies in more than 100 children,” Professor Adam Gaustella from the Brain and Mind Centre said.

“What we’re aiming to do right now is to establish a clinical trial framework that can test 300 kids in one year and deliver answers for families about what works.”

The hub, which would be equipped to deliver credible treatments and provide specialised care and education, would aid parents such as Karl and Jenny Valentine.

Their children, Pippa and Charlie, are both on the autism spectrum.

Mr Valentine told 9NEWS any changes to their daily routine can bring on levels of unwanted stress.

“They’re both introspective … Pip can be more flexible with things, whereas Charlie is very rigid,” he said.

Their behavioural issues were initially put down to attention deficits.

"I said no, I know what ADHD is like. She doesn't just have ADHD," Mrs Valentine said.  

While the family is using a team of allied health professionals to manage various behaviours, other parents are often duped into expensive and unproven treatments.

“There has been hyperbaric chambers, various dietary and supplement treatment studies and even dolphin therapy which has been promoted,” Professor Gaustella said.

“Parents are desperate for good evidence based information, they're desperate for an integrated, well-coordinated early intervention for their children,” Associate Professor Natalie Silove from Westmead Children’s Hospital added.

The project needs $33 million dollars to get off the ground – an investment that could transform the lives of children with autism.

“That would make a lot of people’s lives a lot easier,” Mr Valentine said.