Almost two years after a referral, Mariam’s son is finally getting the help he needs

By bobb |

By Amber Schultz

It took Mariam Mukhtar nearly two years to have her teenage son Raamiz assessed for autism following a paediatric referral, and she fears the delay in getting him support has cost him his high school experience.

“Having support at the right time … that would have been a life-changing experience,” she said.

Teenager author advocates for other students with autism at Armidale high school in NSW

By bobb |
jacob smiles ay camera, holding up a copy of his book

Olivia Babb

Jacob Lawrence, at age 17, is a support student captain at Armidale High school, a motivational speaker and a published author.

He also has autism, something he says doesn't define him but inspires him.

"I'm using it to motivate other people to do what they need to do," he said.

At just six months old, Jacob had a stroke that left him physically impaired, unable to bear weight in his legs or move the left side of his body.

‘You don’t look autistic!’ What not to say if someone discloses they are autistic

By bobb |
Ashleigh Keating, a former teachers’ aide, now works in disability advocacy

When Ashleigh Keating worked as a primary school teachers’ aide, she would very rarely tell the teachers she supported she was autistic, even though her students often had the same disability.

Her reluctance was based on widespread ignorance and stigma around autism. She observed teachers did not have high expectations of autistic students, bad behaviour was blamed on autism and if a staff member was a “little bit of an interesting character”, it was assumed they must be autistic.

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.

Early birds find museum welcomes those on autism spectrum

By bobb |

Ellie Mitchell

Kids handle exhibits and chatter excitedly at the top of their voices in the Australian Museum, where it would normally be peaceful this early in the morning.

The unusual scene makes Emma Gallagher’s heart lift because this space, on this day, is meant to be used in precisely this way.

Tactile exhibits are part of a more sensory experience at Australian Museum.Credit:Anna Kucera/Australian Museum

Sydney's Giant Steps school for students with autism linked to 18 COVID-19 cases

By bobb |

Eighteen people linked to a special needs school in Sydney’s north — including seven students — have tested positive for COVID-19.

Key points:

  • Parents were first notified a staff member tested positive on August 5
  • Seven students, three staff and eight family members are now positive
  • NSW Health says it does not disclose details on venues of concern unless there is a public health risk

The Giant Steps school in Gladesville caters for students with severe autism and has closed its doors after becoming aware of a positive case last week.

SNAP and NSW FACS guilty in deaths of autistic child and pregnant carer

By bobb |

SAFEWORK NSW v SNAP PROGRAMS LIMITED AND STATE OF NEW SOUTH
WALES (DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES AND JUSTICE) [2021] NSWDC
259

District Court of New South Wales, Scotting DCJ, 18 June 2021

Sentence hearing for a WPHS breach involving the death of a child in care

Key Words: Workplace Health and Safety, New South Wales, Penalty, Death Of Child In Care, Duty of Care

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