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Non-verbal autistic people like my son will never write his story. That doesn’t mean no one should

By bobb |
mother and child walking away on footpath - brick fences to the left, parked cars on the right

Al Campbell

Autism comprises an exponentially wide range of presentations – but the discourse surrounding it doesn’t

A fellow author recently alerted me to their inclusion of an autistic character in their upcoming debut. This very sweet young writer felt the need to be open with me, given I have two sons on the spectrum and that autism is outside their lived experience. This writer also let me know that they would completely understand if, on account of this depiction, I chose not to read their book.

‘Clients say it feels like we’ve always known each other’: the mental health experts who believe their autism has turbocharged their work

By bobb |
image of hands taking note in front of a woman sitting

Amelia Hill

Therapists, psychologists and nurses who are autistic say it has made them better at their jobs, but that misconceptions about the condition are forcing them to keep their diagnosis a secret

Eating disorders potentially hiding autism diagnosis

By bobb |
hands with knife & fork on a near-empty plat

Young people with eating disorders may also have underlying and undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder, according to Flinders University researchers.

Led by Professor Robyn Young from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, a new study has set out to further understand the link between autism and problematic eating behaviour.

“Research has shown that eating disorders and autism may co-occur, with persons with eating disorders being referred for consideration of an autism diagnosis with increasing frequency,” says Professor Young.

NSW: ‘Unacceptable’ wait to screen children for developmental delays, autism

By bobb |
child, a doll and play tea-cups

Caitlin Fitzsimmons

The average waiting time for a child neurodevelopmental assessment in the public system has blown out beyond two years at several services across Greater Sydney, while other services have slashed their waiting lists by tightening the eligibility criteria.

The long waiting times mean children miss out on crucial early intervention for developmental delays or neurodivergent conditions such as autism, or that paediatricians “fudge” a diagnosis to get the child the help they need.

Expecting Grace Tame To Smile Is Not Only Sexist, It’s Ableist

By bobb |
Dylan Alcott OAM and Grace Tame smiling and taking a selfie

In late 2019, about a year after I was diagnosed with autism, a media storm descended on then 16-year-old activist Greta Thunberg, accusing her of not smiling enough during an impassioned speech at the UN climate action summit. She was there, tirelessly campaigning against fossil fuel profiteers who are actively destroying the planet, which, of course, would’ve been a hoot. Most famously, conservative commentator Andrew Bolt labelled her “mentally ill” and “deeply disturbed”.

Discovering the 'hidden histories' of late-diagnosed autistic adults

By bobb |
Dani Croaker face

These days, Dani Croaker lives in Melbourne with her two kids and three dogs.

But growing up, she loved the space and freedom of living in the country. She mostly remembers it as a happy childhood — being out in nature and the wide-open paddocks with her sister and two brothers.

Yet when it came to things like school and friendships outside of her family, Dani always felt something wasn't quite right.

"I was too much. I got things wrong, like I didn't know how to temper my excitement or enthusiasm for things.

Gut bacteria don’t cause autism. Autistic kids’ microbiome differences are due to picky eating

By bobb |
hands with knife & fork on an empty plate

Chloe Yap, The University of Queensland; Andrew Whitehouse, The University of Western Australia, and Jake Gratten, The University of Queensland

There has been much speculation that the community of bacteria living in the gut – known as the microbiome – may be different among people on the autism spectrum than the wider population. This has led some researchers and clinicians to speculate that gut bacteria could cause autism.

COVID vaccinations, PCR and rapid tests particularly challenging for autistic children

By bobb |
child getting vaccinated

Hannah Neale

Myth Busting: NDIS won't fund that

By bobb |
DSC logo

Chris Coombes

When chatting with colleagues, planners, or even looking at NDIS resources such as the “Would we fund it” page, you might come away with the impression that the NDIS doesn’t fund a specific support, that it’s forbidden. For example, someone might tell you, “the NDIS does not fund chiropractic”, or “the NDIS does not fund support worker hours for anyone under seven, or psychology for someone in prison without a release date, or yachts, yoga, spaceships, sex toys,” or… whatever. But the NDIS Act is silent on the specific supports that it won’t fund.

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