A statement from The Kids Research Institute Australia in support of Inklings

The Kids Research Institute Australia is proud of the work we have done to develop Inklings – a program based on more than 10 years of research that is providing support to babies, caregivers and families.

Recent public commentary raising questions and concerns about the future of support for Autistic children has been understandably highly charged.

In this context, we respect the right of all individuals to share their views. However, in relation to a program like Inklings, when comments are ill-informed and cause unnecessary anxiety for the families involved, we have a responsibility to speak up. Even more troubling is that some social media commentary is misleading, potentially causing unnecessary distress.  At this time, what families need most is clear information, evidence, and genuine support.

 The facts are:

• Inklings is a program for babies aged 6–18 months who are showing early differences in their communication and/or connection with others.
• The program supports caregivers to understand their baby, and adapt the environment to meet the needs of how the baby naturally communicates and interacts.
• The supporting research includes two rigorous clinical trials, making Inklings a program with the highest quality evidence in this area.
• While Inklings has its origins in the autism field, the program itself has evidence for supporting babies of all neurotypes who are showing early differences in communication and interaction.
• The research has engaged Autistic people as collaborators throughout multiple stages and has been further strengthened recently through partnership with Autistic health professionals to ensure it remains strengths-based and inclusive. 

Inklings is a program that epitomises everything The Kids Research Institute Australia seeks to achieve.  Notably, that it is addressing a community priority, supported by high-quality research, and developed in collaboration with the children and families we serve.

The safety and effectiveness of Inklings has been tested through two rigorous clinical trials incorporating stringent human ethics approvals. The aim of this research was to find an effective and safe way to provide support to babies very early in life through their caregivers, when previously they were little or no supports available.

The program focuses on guiding caregivers as they engage with and support their baby. Inklings uses video observation, where a highly trained practitioner makes a 5-minute video of the caregivers interacting with their baby. The video is then reviewed with the caregiver in a partnership style session; building on the strengths of the baby and caregiver. 

During this process, caregivers slow down to see their baby from a new perspective and reflect on their important role as a partner in play and communication. A core principle is listening and understanding the needs of the baby and the caregiver.

The program does not use a "teaching" approach. Instead, it helps caregivers recognise the many ways their baby communicates and understand how their own responses can foster connection. Caregivers discover how sensitive responses to their baby's communication builds interactions, strengthens communication skills, and positively impacts their baby's development.

About Inklings 

The program begins with a preliminary discussion to understand the baby and caregiver's needs and help the caregiver determine if the program is right for them. The program includes six core sessions tailored to each caregiver and child, with each session building on previously explored concepts.

The core sessions of the Inklings program are:   

1. Take time to watch and wait 
2. Understanding your baby 
3. Responding to your baby
4. Responding during everyday routines (e.g. mealtimes)  
5. Sharing feelings  
6. Sharing conversations

These are followed by four additional focus sessions tailored to the priority needs of the caregiver and baby. The program concludes with a discussion of appropriate next steps and referrals as needed.

The evolution of Inklings

The original research manual, named iBASIS, was developed around 2010 by our colleagues in Manchester (UK) and has undergone two major updates to become the current Inklings manual.

The first update, completed by the Inklings team prior to the 2023 Western Australian implementation pilot, transformed the program from a research protocol into a clinical program manual. This revision simplified complex scientific terminology and deliberately addressed the deficit-based language that was typical of 2010, but is not consistent with modern understanding of developmental difference.  We reframed descriptions of behaviours such as eye-gaze and attention as developmental differences rather than deficits, moving toward more respectful and accurate terminology. Through these updates, the core sessions and how the practitioner works with the families remained unchanged.

The second update occurred over the past year in partnership with Autistic and AuDHD health professionals, including speech pathologists and developmental and educational psychologists. While their feedback confirmed significant improvements from the original research manual, they identified areas where clarity could be enhanced further. In response, we undertook a complete rewrite in collaboration with two of these professionals. Again, the core sessions and concepts of Inklings remain unchanged. This second update will be ready for implementation in early 2026.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Autistic and AuDHD colleagues who generously shared their expertise. Their insights have elevated both the manual and program, ensuring they better reflect our values of clarity, inclusivity, and respect.

Ongoing evaluation

As a research institute, evidence is at our core. Inklings is already a program with the highest quality evidence in the area – something we are immensely proud of. As the implementation pilots in WA and SA progress, Inklings continues to undergo independent external evaluation, which is aligned with good scientific practice. 

Finally, the Inklings team is available to speak to people involved in our program about any questions they may have.  We would encourage them to reach out directly to us at any time inklings@thekids.org.au.