Australia

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This week saw the release of a draft of the next edition of the main diagnostic bible used in psychiatry, the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

The long process ‘by committee’ has been controversial, and in a first for the American Psychiatric Association (APA), a draft has been made public for people to read and feedback on here. They even have a Facebook page, with a call for fans.

Here’s what the chairs of the APA’s DSM-5 taskforce have to say to you:

On February 9th 2010 ABC3 will begin screening Laser Beak Man the animated series at 6.53 a.m. Laser Beak Man is the creation of 21year old Brisbane Artist Tim Sharp. Diagnosed with Autism at age 4 drawing was used as a way of helping Tim to communicate. Tim's quirky super hero reflects Tim's intellect and wicked sense of humour.

As far as we know this may be an Australian first where a young man with Autism has their art turned into a television series. We are asking the Autism community throughout Australia to support the television programme and message of ability and success.

Verity Edwards, September 14, 2009, from: The Australian

A WORLD-FIRST study on siblings of children with autism is showing that signs associated with the behavioural disorder appear in babies in their first weeks of life.

The Flinders University research is the first of its kind to study the behaviour of infants who have an increased risk of developing autism from as young as 10 days, and to revisit the children every second month until they are 18 months old.