Our team

Our exceptional team of researchers work in collaboration with our clinicians to give the community access to the very best evidence-based therapies in the world.

The CliniKids therapy team has a wealth of experience in working with children in the early years – particularly children with autism. This team is made up of qualified allied health professionals including Speech Pathologists, Clinical Psychologists and Occupational Therapists.

Our therapy team is supported by a Clinical Services Manager, Operations Manager and a Client Support Team to help families navigate funding pathways and provide information to assist them while using our service.

The clinical team works alongside internationally-renowned researchers at CliniKids to collaborate on research projects and translate interventions into clinical practice.

CliniKids Director

Professor Andrew Whitehouse

CliniKids Director

Andrew Whitehouse is the Angela Wright Bennett Professor of Autism Research and the Director of CliniKids at the Telethon Kids Institute. He is also Professor of Autism Research at The University of Western Australia, Research Strategy Director of the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC) and the past president of the Australasian Society for Autism Research.

At the Telethon Kids Institute he leads a large team that seeks to find new and innovative ways to help each and every child on the autism spectrum reach their full potential. Andrew has published over 250 peer-reviewed journal articles and attracted over $60 million in competitive research grants. He currently presents an internationally syndicated video series called "60 Second Science”, which has had more than 2 million views. He is an advisor to State and Commonwealth Governments on policies relating to children with Autism Spectrum Conditions. He chaired the committee that generated Australia’s first national guideline for autism diagnosis, and was co-chair of the committee that developed Australia’s first national guideline for supporting the learning, participation and wellbeing for autistic children.

Andrew has published one edited book with his twin-brother (Ben), and a popular science book that examined the science behind some of the myths of pregnancy and child development (Will Mozart Make My Baby Smart?). He has also been awarded a Eureka Prize for his research, and is the youngest fellow ever elected to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Professor Whitehouse was also a finalist for the 2023 WA Australian of the Year and was named the 2023 Western Australian of the Year (Professions category).

Prior to coming to the Telethon Kids Institute, Andrew was a Junior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford.