Show news for a region of your choice (mostly Austraian news).

Autism CRC: Longitudinal Study of Australian School Leavers with Autism (SASLA)

By bobb |

Historically, the adult years have been ignored in autism research, despite that these years representing the greatest proportion of individuals’ lives. Hence, limited information and guidance exists for autistic adults, their families and those who may provide support (e.g., health services, employment services, higher education) about trajectories from late adolescence through old age.

SA makes history with new autism minister

By bobb |

Tim Dornin

South Australia's autism community will get its own state government minister in a national first and a decision hailed as a major step towards greater inclusion.

Emily Bourke has been appointed assistant minister for autism in a bid to ensure people with the neurological condition are better represented.

Premier Peter Malinauskas says he has heard from many South Australians that the time has come for a dedicated effort from government to make autism a priority. 

"That is why we have created this new role," he said on Monday.

Hannah Gadsby on her memoir, Ten Steps to Nanette, and how her autism diagnosis changed her life

By bobb |

Hannah Gadsby's memoir, Ten Steps to Nanette, opens at the scene of a fancy Hollywood garden party at the home of actress Eva Longoria.

Celebrities are queuing to talk to Gadsby, whose Netflix comedy special, Nanette, had just sucker punched the world.

But the world-famous comedian extracts herself from a conversation with celebrated singer-songwriter Janelle Monáe to examine the preternaturally green lawn underfoot.

The autism advantage - why businesses are hiring autistic people

By bobb |

When Chris Varney was in Year 2 he presented his teacher with an incredibly detailed visual chart of the royal families of Europe from the 14th to the 19th century.

“I just felt I had found a new way of seeing the last millennium. No wonder we have so many revolutions and conflict, these families were way too connected, small community, completely out of touch,” he quips during his TED talk Autism: How my unstoppable mother proved the experts wrong.

‘Fighting for her voice’: mother locked in legal battle with NDIS over daughter’s talker

By bobb |

Melanie Stephens is caught up in Administrative Appeals Tribunal case after being denied funding for a device to help Ella communicate

A Victorian mother is locked in a battle with the National Disability Insurance Agency over her daughter’s “voice”. At least that’s how Melanie Stephens describes the “talker” device her daughter Ella has been using for four years.

Ella, 11, lives with autism and the rare genetic syndrome cri du chat (5p-), which causes delayed physical development and intellectual disability. She is non-verbal.

At the Crossroads of Trauma and Autism

By bobb |

Reviewed by Michelle Quirk

Why we need to start talking about the risk of trauma for those with autism.

Key points

  • Up to 72 percent of adults with autism may have severe trauma histories.
  • It is hard to find research on the lives of adults with autism before 2000 and virtually impossible to find research on adult women with autism.
  • High trauma rates for people with autism needs to be a central part of autism awareness and treatment.

It is a sad truth that the majority of the early research into autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was done with young children, most of whom were boys. It is hard to find research into the lives of adults with autism before 2000 and virtually impossible to find research on adult women with autism. As an autistic woman, it is frustrating for me to know that the quality of life of adults with autism was ignored for decades. This has led to several massive problems that are only now coming to light. One of these problems is the extraordinarily high number of women with autism that have been through serious trauma and meet diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

First-of-its-kind guideline to improve supports for autistic children and families

By bobb |

Anna Christian

Autism CRC, an independent national research organisation focusing on best practice in relation to autism, has released a draft version of the first ever Australian national guideline to supporting autistic children and their families.

Once finalised, the National Guideline for supporting the learning, participation, and wellbeing of autistic children and their families in Australia will be used to ensure children can access the safe and effective supports that they want.

National Guideline for supporting autistic children and their families

By convenor |

Draft release for public consultation

Community consultation closes at 5pm (AEST) on August 29. All members of the community are welcome to provide feedback.

A draft version of the National Guideline for supporting the learning, participation, and wellbeing of autistic children and their families in Australia is now available for community feedback.