Morra Aarons-Mele

“Why do I have to be in the office when I get more done from home?”

As an author and speaker on the modern workplace, I hear this a lot. But let me be clear: This is not a question from someone who wants to goof off, hang with their kids, or play video games in between conference calls. That is a toxic stereotype.

RACHEL CHAMBERLAIN

BATHURST families are half-way to their fundraising target for the Walk for Autism. 

They gathered on Sunday at the Bathurst Community Op Shop and Bicentennial Park to walk and raise money with a barbecue.

Funds were also raised on Saturday with a raffle of a gift voucher to the Kelso Hotel.

Mother Fiona Prosser has been leading the charge for the Walk for Autism in Bathurst, the cause being very close to her heart.

Jody Lindbeck

When Jacob Gordon was a baby, he was a noticably poor sleeper, but as many infants are not great with nighttime routines, it was perhaps not so unusual.

However, as Jacob got older, his sleep patterns did not improve and parents Jacinta and David became increasingly concerned, especially after they began to see other issues.

Jon Ovan

As part of autism awareness month, members of the Eylward family who live in Cummins, will each walk 10,000 steps a day to raise $500 for a charity helping those with autism.

The Walk for Autism aims to raise awareness and funds to support people who are on the spectrum.

The 10,000 step challenge began on Sunday and will finish on April 15.

Tayla Eylward was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome and said she had a hard time at school and after finishing.

Julia Gabel

DXC Technology has joined ANZ Banking Group’s Autism@Work partnership with La Trobe University.

The partnership supports research into helping autistic people succeed at work.

DXC Technology Australia & New Zealand managing director Seelan Nayagam says the research is aimed at helping people on the spectrum to obtain long-term sustainable employment and to build thriving careers.

Rachael Seow

SINGAPORE - Seventeen-year-old Choo Jian Wei is not only a first-year bioengineering student at Singapore Polytechnic, but also an accomplished member of Pathlight School's Artist Development Programme (ADP).

His "Sketch of An Eye" is one of the 10 artworks on display on board Singapore's first autism-themed MRT train and at four interchange stations.

"The eye is a window into the soul," he said when discussing the inspiration for his pencil sketch.

Bill Gamack

Employable Me is a real and raw depiction of the challenges associated with job hunting when you have a disability, writes EPIC Assist CEO Bill Gamack.

Until recently, four-year-old Hussain Hussain communicated with his mother by pulling at her and pointing to what he wanted.

He managed the odd word but could not put two together.

His mother, Sohaila Ibrahim, suspected something was wrong and was not surprised when Hussain was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in late 2017.

As devastating as it was, the diagnosis turned out to be a blessing, making it possible for Hussain to attend a new school specialising in learning for students with ASD.

And the early signs have been extremely positive.

Liz Pellicano, Macquarie University

Autistic people have been routinely misunderstood, ignored, and excluded for decades – including from campaigns designed to promote awareness of autism itself. But this is beginning to change.