Newcastle University

Introduction

I am a clinical academic & have worked in Autism and related mental health research for more than 20 years. I co-lead the Newcastle University Autism Research Team, within the Lifecourse, Development and Ageing Group, Institute of Health & Society. I am one of the authors of ADI, led the Brotish Twin study of autism and the PI for the Newcastle site of the IMGSAC. My research interests include the assessment of the behavioural phenotype of autism and the broader spectrum.

Research Interests

My research interests include the assessment of the behavioural phenotype of autism and the broader autism spectrum. Our research team has a number of related ongoing programmes of work including: autism genetics; the investigation of repetitive behaviours in normally developing children and individuals with ASD; possible cognitive underpining of co-morbid disorders particularly anxiety; the development and evaluation of diagnostic assessment procedures and service provision; the development of robust outcome measures; and the planning and evaluation of a number of early interventions for children and adolescents with ASD and the management of co-morbid disorders. One of our most recent planned programme of work is the identification of the needs of young adults with ASD as they make the transition to young adulthood.

• International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism Consortium (Newcastle site: Le Couteur A., Berney T., Cooper H. and Kelly T.). A full genome screen for autism with evidence for linkage to a region on chromosome 7q. Human Molecular Genetics 1998, 7, 571-578.
• Bailey A., Palferman S., Heavey L. and Le Couteur A. Autism: the phenotype in relatives. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 1998, 28, 369-392.
• Woodhouse W., Bailey A., Rutter M., Bolton P., Baird G. and Le Couteur A. Head circumference and pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines 1996, 37, 665-671.
• Parkinson KN, Drewett RF, Le Couteur A, Adamson AJ, The GM Score Team. Earlier predictors of eating disorder symptoms in 9-year old children. A longitudinal Study. Appetite 2012, (epub ahead of print).
• Parkinson KN, Pearce M, Dale A, Reilly JJ, Drewett RF, Wright CM, Relton CL, McArdle P, Le Couteur AS, Adamson AJ. Cohort Profile: The Gateshead Millennium Study. International Journal of Epidemiology 2011, 40(2), 308-317.
• McArdle P, Young R, Quibell T, Moseley D, Johnson R, Le Couteur A. Early intervention for at risk children: 3-year follow-up. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2011, 20(3), 111-120.
• Pagnamenta AT, Khan H, Walker S, Gerrelli D, Wing K, Bonaglia MC, Giorda R, Berney T, Mani E, Molteni M, Pinto D, Le Couteur A, Hallmayer J, Sutcliffe JS, Szatmari P, Paterson AD, Scherer SW, Vieland VJ, Monaco AP. Rare familial 16q21 microdeletions under a linkage peak implicate cadherin 8 (CDH8) in susceptibility to autism and learning disability. Journal of Medical Genetics 2011, 48(1), 48-54.
• Basterfield L, Adamson AJ, Pearce MS, Reilly JJ, GMS team. Stability of habitual physical activity and sedentary behaviour monitoring by accelerometry in 6-8 year olds. Journal of Physical Activity & Health 2011, 8(4), 543-547.
• Green D, Lingam R, Mattocks C, Riddoch C, Ness A, Emond A, GMS team. The risk of reduced physical activity in children with probable Developmental Coordination Disorder: A prospective longitudinal study. Research in Developmental Disabilities 2011, 32(4), 1332-1342.
• Parr J, Le Couteur A, Baird G, Rutter M, Pickles A, Fombonne E, Bailey A, The International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism Consortium (IMGSAC). Early Developmental Regression in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from an International Multiplex Sample. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2010, 41(3), 332-340.
• Jones AR, Hyland RM, Parkinson KN, Adamson AJ, The Gateshead Millennium Study Core Team. Developing a focus group approach for exploring parents' perspectives on childhood overweight. Nutrition Bulletin 2009, 34(2), 214–219.
• Honey E, McConachie H, Randle V, Shearer H, Le Couteur A. One-year Change in Repetitive Behaviours in Young Children with Communication Disorders Including Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2006, 38(8), 1439-1450.
• Blasi F, Bacchelli E, Carone S, Toma C, Monaco AP, Bailey AJ, Maestrini E, International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism Consortium (IMGSAC). SLC25A12 and CMYA3 gene variants are not associated with autism in the IMGSAC multiplex family sample. European Journal of Human Genetics 2006, 14(1), 123-126.
• Darke J, Bushby K, Le Couteur A, McConachie H. Survey of behaviour problems in children with neuromuscular diseases. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology 2006, 10(3), 129-134.
• McConachie H, Randle V, Hammal D, Le Couteur A. A controlled trial of a training course for parents of children with suspected autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Pediatrics 2005, 147(3), 335-340.
• McConachie H, Couteur AL, Honey E. Can a diagnosis of asperger syndrome be made in very young children with suspected autism spectrum disorder?. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2005,35 2 167-176.
• Bonora E, Lamb JA, Barnby G, Sykes N, Moberly T, Beyer KS, Klauck SM, Poutska F, Bacchelli E, Blasi F, Maestrini E, Battaglia A, Haracopos E, Pedersen L, Isager T, Eriksen G, Viskum B, Sorensen EU, Brondum-Nielsen K, Cotterill R, Engeland H, Jonge M, Kemner C, Steggehuis K, Scherpenisse M, Rutter M, Bolton PF, Parr JR, Poustka A, Bailey AJ, Monaco AP, Internation Molecular Study of Autism (IMGSAC). Mutation screening and association analysis of six candidate genes for autism on chromosome 7q. European Journal of Human Genetics 2005,13 2 198-207.
• Tiffin P, Le Couteur A. Pervasive Developmental Disorders. In:Gowers, S., ed. Seminars in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.London, UK:Gaskell,2005, pp. 124-144.
• Honey E, McConachie H, Le Couteur A. Will it Ever Stop? How parents deal with children's behaviours. Communication (London, 1967): the magazine of the National Autistic Society 2005, 39(2), 45-47.
• Haq I, Le Couteur A. Autism Spectrum Disorder. Medicine 2004, 32(8), 61-63.
• D'Adamo P, Bacchelli E, Blasi F, Lipp HP, Toniolo D, Maestrini E, International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism Consortium (IMGSAC). DNA variants in the human RAB3A gene are not associated with autism. Genes, Brain and Behavior 2004,3 2 123-124.
• Rutter M, Lord C, Le Couteur A. Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised Manual. 2003. Torrance, California, USA: Wester Psychological Services.
• Dixon L, Le Couteur A. Early assessment and intervention with the 'More than Words@ Hanen programme for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. Good Autism Practice 2003, 4(1), 29-34.
• Bonora E, Lamb JA, Abbott A, Redhead N, Ragoussis I, Bailey A, Monaco AP, International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism (IMGSAC). Linkage to the AUTS1 locus and analysis of candidate genes for autism on chromosome 7q. American Journal of Human Genetics 2003, Abstract 108.
• Le Couteur A (chair of the Core Working Group). National autism plan for children (NAPC): Plan for the identification, assessment, diagnosis and access to early interventions for pre-school and primary school aged children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). London, UK: The National Autistic Society, 2003.
• Le Couteur A. National Autism Plan for children : Development of UK guidelines for local multi-agency services for children with suspected ASD. Interventions for Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome. ACPP Occasional Papers 2003, (21), 15-23.
• Charman T, Howlin P, Aldred C, Baird G, Degli Espinosa F, Diggle T, Kovshoff H, Law J, Le Couteur A, MacNiven J, Magiati I, Martin N, McConachie H, Peacock S, Pickles A, Randle V, Slonims V, Wolke D. Research into early intervention for children with autism and related disorders: Methodological and design issues. Autism 2003, 7(2), 217-225.
• Bacchelli E, Blasi F, Biondolillo M, Lamb JA, Bonora E, Barnby G, Parr J, Beyer KS, Klauck SM, Poustka A, Bailey AJ, Monaco AP, Maestrini E, International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism (IMGSAC). Screening of nine candidate genes for autism on chromosome 2q reveals rare non-synonymous variants in the cAMP-GEFII gene. Molecular Psychiatry 2003, 8(11), 916-924.
• Standart S, Le Couteur A. The quiet child - a literature review of selective mutism. Child and Adolescent Mental Health 2003, 8(4), 154-160.
• Steyn B, Le Couteur A. Understanding autism spectrum disorders. Current Paediatrics 2003, 13(4), 274-278.
• Le Couteur A. Assessment and Diagnosis in Pervasive Developmental Disorders. J Child Neurology issue of Autism 2002.
• Newbury DF, Bonora E, Lamb JA, Fisher SE, Lai CSL, Baird G, Slonims V, Stott CM, Merricks MJ, Bolton PF, Bailey AJ, Monaco AP, International Molecular Consortium. FOXP2 Is Not a Major Susceptibility Gene for autism or Specific Language Impairment. American Journal of Human Genetics 2002, 70(5), 1318-1327.
• Beyer KS, Blasi F, Bacchelli E, Klauck SM, Maestrini E, Poustka A, International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism Consortium (IMGSAC). Mutation analysis of the coding sequence of the MECP2 gene in infantile autism. Human Genetics 2002, 111(4-5), 305-309.
• Bonora E, Bacchelli E, Levy ER, Blasi F, Marlow A, Monaco AP, Maestrini E, International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism Consortium (IMGSAC). Mutation screening and imprinting analysis of four candidate genes for autism in the 7q32 region. Molecular Psychiatry 2002, 7(3), 289-301.
• Parr J, Baird G, Le Couteur A, Rutter M, Bailey A, IMGSAC. Phenotypic characteristics of autistic regression in an international multiplex sample. In: American Journal of Medical Genetics: 10th World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics. 2002, Brussels, Belgium: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• McArdle P, Moseley D, Quibell T, Johnson R, Allen A, Hammal D, Le Couteur A. School-based indicated prevention: a randomised trial of group therapy. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 2002, 43(6), 705-712.
• Palferman S, Matthews N, Turner M, Moore J, Hervas A, Aubin A, Wallace S, Michelotti J, Wainhouse C, Paul A, Thompson E, Gupta R, Garner C, Murin M, Freitag C, Ryder N, Cottington E, Parr J, Pickles A, Rutter M, Bailey A, Barnby G, Lamb JA, Marlow A, Scudder P, Monaco AP, Baird G, Cox A, Docherty Z, Warburton P, Green EP, Abbs SJ, Le Couteur A, McConachie HR, Berney T, Kelly TP, De Vries PJ, Bolton PF, Green J, Gilchrist A, Whittacker J, Bolton B, Packer R, Maestrini E, Blasi F, Van Engeland H, De Jonge MV, Kemner C, Klauck SM, Beyer KS, Epp S, Poustka A, Benner A, Goethe JW, Poustka F, Ruhl D, Schmotzer G, Boolte S, Feineis-Matthews S, Fombonne E, Rogee B, Fremolle-Kruck J, Pienkowski C, Tauber MT, Pedersen L, Nielsen KB, Eriksen G, Haracopos D, Cotterill RMJ, Tsiantis J, Papanikolaou K, Lord C, Corsello C, Guter S, Leventhal B, Cook E, Smalley SL, Bailey J, McGough J, Levitt J, Pauls D, Volkmar F, Weeks DE, Int Mol Genetic Study Autism Cons. A genomewide screen for autism: Strong evidence for linkage to chromosomes 2q, 7q, and 16p. American Journal of Human Genetics 2001, 69(3), 570-581.
• Le Couteur A. An appreciation of Professor Sir Michael Rutter. In: Special commemoratory publication of proceedings of Festschrift held September 1998. 2001.
• Gilchrist A, Green J, Cox A, Burton D, Rutter M, Le Couteur A. Development and current functioning in adolescents with Asperger syndrome: A comparative study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatric and Allied Disciplines 2001, 42(2), 227-240.
• Palferman S, Matthews N, Turner H, Moore J, Hervas A, Aubin A, Wallace S, Michelotti J, Wainhouse C, Paul A, Thompson E, Murin M, Gupta R, Garner C, Pickles A, Rutter M, Bailey A, Lamb JA, Marlow A, Scudder P, Barnby G, Monaco AP, Baird G, Cox A, Docherty Z, Warburton P, Green EP, Abbs SJ, Le Couteur A, McConachie HR, Berney T, Kelly TP, De Vries PJ, Bolton P, Green J, Gilchrist A, Whittacker J, Bolton B, Packer R, Maestrini E, Van Engeland H, De Jonge MV, Kemner C, Klauck SM, Beyer KS, Epp S, Poustka A, Benner A, Poustka F, Ruhl D, Schmotzer G, Bolte S, Feineis-Matthews S, Fombonne E, Roge B, Fremolle-Kruck J, Pienkowski C, Tauber MT, Pedersen L, Brondum-Nielsen K, Eriksen G, Haracopos D, Cotterill RMJ, Tsiantis J, Papanikolaou K, Lord C, Corsello C, Guter S, Leventhal B, Cook E, Smalley S, Bailey J, Liu A, Dedricks M, Chrzanowski L, Levitt J, Pauls D, Volkmar F, Weeks DE, Intl Molecular Genetic Study Autis. Further characterization of the autism susceptibility locus AUTS1 on chromosome 7q. Human Molecular Genetics 2001, 10(9), 973-982.
• Westgarth S, Le Couteur A. How to handle parents concerns about autism. Pulse 2001, 61(11).
• Croom S, Procter S, Le Couteur A. Developing a concept analysis of control for use in child and adolescent mental health nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing 2000, 31(6), 1324-1332.
• Clough J, Le Couteur A. Research Report for Fathers Plus Engaging Parents in a primary school setting Sept 1999-Sept 2000. 2000.
• Clough J, Richardson A, Le Couteur A. The involvement of Parents in Primary Schools, with special Reference to Fathers. In: White,K, ed. The Changing Face of Child Care: NCVCCO Annual Review Journal. London: NCVCCO, 2000, pp.154-166.
• Richardson, A. and Le Couteur, A. The role of fathers in realising children's potential.. In: Proceedings of the Excellence in Early Years Conference, University of Newcastle upon Tyne. 1999.
• Cooper, H., Kelly, T. and Le Couteur, A. The development of executive function in early school age autistic children. In: Psychopathology of Autism: current research and practice.. 1998.
• Prosser, J.G.S., and Le Couteur, A. Autism and the pervasive developmental disorders.. Current Paediatrics 1997, 7, 158-162.
• Le Couteur, A. and Sowter, M. Early assessment and intervention in autism: adapting the family focussed Hanen Parent Programme for preschool children with autism spectrum disorders.. In:Living and Learning with autism: perspective from the individual, the family and professional. . 1997, pp. 29-41.
• Le Couteur, A. Recognising Asperger's syndrome.. Pulse Feature 75 1997.
• Cooper, H., Kelly, T and Le Couteur, A. Toilet training in autism. In:Living and Learning with Autism . 1997, pp. 295-300.
• Le Couteur., Bailey, A., Goode, S., Pickles, A., Robertson, A., Gottesman, I. and Rutter, M. A broader phenotype of autism: the clinical spectrum in twins.. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines 1996, 37, 785-801.
• Le Couteur, A. The clinical manifestations of the broader phenotype of autism - evidence from the British twin and family studies.. In:Therapeutic Intervention in Autism: perspectives from research and practice . 1996, pp. 57-77.
• Bailey, A., Le Couteur, A., Gottesman, I., Siminoff, E. and Rutter M. Autism as a strongly genetic disorder: evidence from a British twin study.. Psychological Medicine 1995, 25, 63-78.
• Bolton, A., Pickles, A., Butler, L., Summers, D., Webb, T., Lord, C., Le Couteur, A., Bailey, A. and Rutter, M. Fragile X in families multiplex for autism and related phenotypes: prevalence and criteria for cytogenetic diagnosis.. Psychiatric Genetics, 1995, 2, 277-300.
• Le Couteur, A. Clinical syndromes in early childhood.. In: D. Black and D.Cottrell, ed. Seminars in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 1993.