Marking Autism Awareness Day, UN officials call for inclusive societies

Submitted by bobb on

1 April 2016 – On the eve of the World Autism Awareness Day, United Nations officials highlighted the contributions to humanity by people with autism, noting that shunning them is a “violation of human rights” and a “waste of human potential.”

Addressing a commemorative event this morning, UN General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft stressed that “autism and other forms of disability are part of the human experience that contributes to human diversity.”

CDC estimates 1 in 68 school-aged children have autism; no change from previous estimate

Submitted by bobb on

An estimated 1 in 68 (14.6 per 1,000) school-aged children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a CDC report published today in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Surveillance Summary. This report shows essentially no change in ASD prevalence, the proportion of school aged-children with ASD, from the previous report released in 2014. However, it is too soon to know whether ASD prevalence in the United States might be starting to stabilize. CDC will continue tracking ASD prevalence to better understand changes over time.

Dodgy report clears Victoria's schools to cage special needs students

Submitted by bobb on

Dear colleague

The attached document has taken half a day to prepare but only scratches the surface of this appalling corrupt investigation into Bendigo SDS.

If you have Facebook pages that parents of children attending Bendigo SDS may access, please post this. It is important that they have an understanding that the recent letter they received from the Department of Education is misleading.

EXPLAINER: why everyone’s talking about autism and the NDIS

Submitted by bobb on

You might have noticed that talk of children with autism and the NDIS is everywhere today – including some pretty angry commentary. Here’s a look at what’s happened and why people are concerned.

What’s happened?

The NDIA, the government agency responsible for the NDIS, released its approach to early childhood intervention for children with developmental delay or disability.It’s called the Early Childhood Early Intervention Approach, or ECEI.

NDIS released its Early Childhood Early Intervention Approach

Submitted by bobb on

There is a new section (26/2/2016) on the NDIS website with links to new documents about early intervention generally and specifically about Autism Spectrum Disorder. Prof Roberts, this time with Prof. Williams, produced another report in the ongoing series of government reports about early intervention for autism.

Government mental disorder report ignores autism

Submitted by convenor on

Dear Prime Minister

The Health Department's recent report on The Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in Australia does not once mention autism. In this respect, Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia regards the report as negligent. The report was signed off by the Health Minister.

Autism is a growing issue for Governments in Australia since:

Human Rights Watch condemns boy in cage affair in national report

Submitted by bobb on

A leading international human rights group has highlighted the decision to place a 10-year-old autistic student in a metal cage as a violation of disability rights in Australia. 

Human Rights Watch, one of the world's most respected campaign organisations, detailed the incident in its latest annual report on abuses and concerns in Australia.

autism groups want bullying in schools gone

Submitted by convenor on

Media Release

Autism groups around the country agree that bullying of autistic students in schools must be properly addressed.

For years, Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (known as A4) has cited published research showing bullying of autistic students in schools is a major problem and the result is abysmal education outcomes for autistic students (see http://a4.org.au/node/1068 and http://a4.org.au/node/1032).

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