Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia

ABC Tasmania website

...

The Opposition also announced $4.5 million to deliver autism services to children.

"We can provide them with 20 or 30 hours per week of very, very serious intervention strategies," said Liberal health spokesman, Brett Whiteley.

from: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/14/2819118.htm

The world's first ever study into the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders among adults shows that one in every hundred adults living in households has the condition – broadly the same rate as that cited for children.

While studies have been carried out into the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders among children, the report from The NHS Information Centre is the first attempt to find and count adults and older people in the community with an autism spectrum disorder, including asperger syndrome.

On February 9th 2010 ABC3 will begin screening Laser Beak Man the animated series at 6.53 a.m. Laser Beak Man is the creation of 21year old Brisbane Artist Tim Sharp. Diagnosed with Autism at age 4 drawing was used as a way of helping Tim to communicate. Tim's quirky super hero reflects Tim's intellect and wicked sense of humour.

As far as we know this may be an Australian first where a young man with Autism has their art turned into a television series. We are asking the Autism community throughout Australia to support the television programme and message of ability and success.

copied from http://www.nationalautismcenter.org/affiliates/

Although autism is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder, attempts to identify specific susceptibility genes have thus far met with limited success¹. Genome-wide association studies using half a million or more markers, particularly those with very large sample sizes achieved through meta-analysis, have shown great success in mapping genes for other complex genetic traits.

7:30 Report - Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Broadcast: 19/08/2009, Reporter: Sharon O'Neill

It is estimated that half a million Australian families are affected by autism and many of them struggle not just with the needs of an autistic child or adult but with the huge costs associated with the array of therapies required to treat the disorder. For one family, Australia did not have the resources they needed for their autistic son, forcing them to relocate to the United Kingdom.

Justine Ferrari, Education writer | August 26, 2009

Article from:  The Australian

SCHOOLS are turning children with disabilities into part-time students by restricting their attendance hours in breach of anti-discrimination laws.

Some school principals are limiting the time disabled students are in class to match the hours a teacher's aide or other assistance is available, Macquarie and Sydney university researchers have found.

see http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/20/2661233.htm?site=local

A New South Wales family have made the gut-wrenching decision to leave the home and friends they love and move to the UK because they say Australia cannot provide the support and services they need for their autistic son.

It is estimated that 500,000 Australian families are affected by autism.

Australian Associated Press

"We need to know the extent of autism in Australia so we can properly support people with ASD." Bill Shorten

A national register will be created to track the rising incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Australia, the federal government has announced.

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services Bill Shorten told a regional autism conference in Sydney that a register would help improve government support services.

Hon Bill Shorten MP

Member for Maribyrnong
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services

Bill Shorten spoke on the 01/04/2009 at the National Press Club. The publicity (see http://www.npc.org.au/speakerArchive/bshort.html) said:

The Rudd Government has put the social inclusion of disadvantaged groups – including people with disability – at the core of its vision for Australia.