2015: National Autism Centre (USA) review of ASD interventions 0-22yo

By bobb | Mon, 20/4/2015 - 14:41

People who are prepared to read a "new review and analysis of interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD)" can find one to download here: http://www.nationalautismcenter.org/nat…

This project is designed to give educators, parents, practitioners, and organizations the information and resources they need to make informed choices about effective interventions that will offer children and adults on the spectrum the greatest hope for their future.

Missing boy Luke Shambrook found alive at Lake Eildon

By bobb | Wed, 8/4/2015 - 08:37

How the search unfoldedThe moment a little boy lost was foundLuke Shambrook has had an emotional reunion with his parents after spending four nights lost in bush near Eildon, north-east of Melbourne.Luke, 11, who has autism, was found alive about midday on Tuesday after wandering off from his family's campsite at Candlebark campground on Good Friday.Luke Shambrook's mother Rachel kisses her son. Photo: Joe ArmaoPolice told reporters at the scene that Luke did not appear to be injured, although he was suffering hypothermia.The boy was found on the south side of the peak of Auciferous Spur, 2

Disability groups back call for inquiry into education of children with a disability

By bobb | Wed, 8/4/2015 - 08:24

Disability groups have backed calls for a broad inquiry into the education of children with a disability, following revelations an autistic Canberra school student was confined in a cage-like structure.Graeme Innes, who served as the nation's disability discrimination commissioner from 2005 until last year,has called for such an inquiry, warning the ACT case was not an isolated incident and schools across the country lacked adequate resources to support students with disability.Opposition Leader Bill Shorten immediately backed Mr Innes' call, declaring: "We cannot assume this is a one-off c

Disappointing! Government removed advice on early intervention for autism

By bobb | Sat, 14/3/2015 - 10:05

Early in 2015, without consulting or even informing stakeholders and before submissions for the NDIS ILC consultation were due, the Government removed documents and links to them from its websites. These documents contain information that is crucial for families who need to act quickly after their child is diagnosed with autism. Without access to these documents families can miss crucial advice about choosing appropriate early intervention. 

Since these documents are helpful for people affected by autism spectrum disorder, A4 makes them available for download from its website (see the links below).

Parents flock to free online course on autism

By bobb | Mon, 9/3/2015 - 00:00

More than 10,000 participants have registered for a new, free online six-week course beginning in April, which has been designed by Swinburne University to provide practical help to families with a child on the autism spectrum. Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong condition affecting about 1 per cent of children who typically have preoccupations, aversions, obsessions and difficulties with social interaction.

Former commissioner says disability cuts breach UN convention

By bobb | Sat, 14/2/2015 - 12:17

Julia May, 7/2/2015The Federal Government's cuts to the disability sector are a "catastrophic" blow and breach the United Nations convention on the rights of disabled people, advocacy groups and one of the architects of the convention says.The Department of Social Services announced yesterday it would fund an alliance of six groups representing disabled people by demographic rather than specific need.

Disability sector funding cuts attacked by former UN committee chairman

By bobb | Sat, 14/2/2015 - 08:39

The new arrangement threatens eight peak bodies, with 200,000 members.The former chairman of the United Nations committee representing people with disabilities has added his voice to the chorus of anger over the government's shake-up of the sector, challenging its claim it is in acting in accordance with the UN convention.Ron McCallum, who is blind, is a former dean of law at Sydney University and, until December, was chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Disabled Persons in Geneva.