Queensland Centre of Excellence in Autism and Intellectual Disability Health

The Queensland Centre of Excellence in Autism and Intellectual Disability Health is a research centre devoted to improving the health and mental health of adults with intellectual or developmental disability and those on the autism spectrum.

Estabished in 1997, its significant achievements include:

• Development of the Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP) and the Ask Diary—tools to assist people with intellectual disability and /or autism to access healthcare
• Development of Massive Open Online Course on Intellectual Disability Health (AbleX MOOC)—a world-first
• Autism CRC Program 3 (Adults).

The Queensland Centre of Excellence in Autism and Intellectual Disability Health's research focuses on three main areas affecting adults with intellectual or developmental disability and those on the autism spectrum:

• improving healthcare for this population, 
• understanding the health and mental health problems prevalent in this population, and
• investigating treatments for conditions affecting this population. 

Current work includes projects on Down syndrome (clinical registry and investigation of catatonia and acute regression) and participation in clinical trial work in collaboration with the clinical service, Mater Intellectual Disability and Autism Service (MIDAS).

The Centre has active collaborations with researchers across Australia (The University of Queensland, Griffith University, University of NSW), in the United States of America (Massachusetts General / Harvard Medical School, Boston; several other USA universities) and in Rome, and has clinical services collaborations include Queensland Health's Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch and the Mental Health Services.