ProfessorLaurie McLay

Laurie’s research interests centre on the health, wellbeing, and developmental outcomes of neurodivergent children, particularly autistic tamariki and children with lifelong physical health conditions. She specialises in digital health including telehealth-delivered assessment and support that enhances the health and well-being of children and their whānau.

Her key areas of interest include:

• Digital delivery of psychosocial supports for autistic tamariki
• Sleep assessment and intervention, and sleep‑related family wellbeing
• Caregiver mental health, stress, and capability‑building through digital tools
• Health promoting support (e.g., eating and feeding, toileting) for neurodivergent children
• Neurodiversity‑affirming practice and strengths‑based approaches
• Co‑design with caregivers, clinicians, and autistic communities
• Implementation science, including effectiveness, acceptability, and real‑world uptake of digital supports
• Equity of access, service navigation, and reducing barriers for whānau
• Digital health innovation for child development and family support pathways

These interests underpin her leadership of the Waiora Tamariki Programme, which evaluates the impact and feasibility of digitally delivered supports across multiple domains of child wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand.