One mum’s advice to Bill Shorten on how to save money in the NDIS

By bobb |

Lynda Fallon

As the cost of the NDIS balloons, and the government looks for ways to make savings, one battle-weary mum offers some budgeting suggestions.

Dear Mr Shorten, firstly, I want to say thank you for the NDIS. It’s a scheme with the very best of intentions to give people like my son, Ben, their best chance at fulfilling their potential — and I love that we are lucky enough to live in a country where people in power care.

NDIS diagnosis of autism may have ‘unforeseen consequences’, Kurt Fearnley warns

By bobb |

 

Stephen Lunn, SOCIAL AFFAIRS EDITOR, MELBOURNE

The need for a diagnosis of autism early in a child’s life to secure NDIS support may have “unforeseen consequences” as they face the long-term stigma of being labelled disabled, National Disability Insurance Agency chair Kurt Fearnley says.

“Camouflaging” of autistic traits linked to internalizing symptoms such as anxiety and depression

By bobb |

Vladimir Hedrih

A study of autistic children and adolescents in Australia showed that those suffering from anxiety, depression or similar symptoms (apart from autism) showed a more pronounced tendency to try to mask their autistic traits in social situations. Adolescents were also more likely to camouflage their autistic traits than children. The study was published in Autism Research.

National Autism Strategy: express your interest to be part of the Oversight Council or Working Groups

By convenor |

Expressions of interest are now open for the National Autism Strategy’s Oversight Council and its Working Groups.

This is an exciting opportunity for autistic people and representatives from the autism community to make sure the voices of autistic people, their families, carers and those that work to support them are at the heart of the National Autism Strategy.

The Oversight Council and Working Group members will guide the co-design work to develop and implement the Strategy, with Working Groups to consider four key areas:

StEPS towards national paediatric vision screening in Australia

By bobb |

Rhiannon Bowman

The fragmented nature of early childhood vision screening across Australia could be overcome if the eye health sector can implement a new nationwide program by 2030. The topic is close to the heart of PROF FRANK MARTIN, as outlined in his Council Lecture presentation.

The pursuit of an Australia-wide early childhood vision screening program has been a passion project for Professor Frank Martin throughout his career, and one that has endured many false starts.