Autism experts have lamented reports a 10-year-old boy was placed in a cage at a Canberra primary school, saying it signals a national standard for autism education in mainstream schools is urgently required.

ACT Education Minister Joy Burch confirmed the unacceptable "withdrawal space" had been built in a classroom to deal with a student with challenging behaviour.

A school that placed a child with special needs and behavioural issues in a cage-like withdrawal space told parents it had intended it to be a "sanctuary". 

ACT Education has suspended a principal and launched an investigation into how a primary school student was placed in the purpose built two-by-two-metres structure made of metal pool fencing.

Experts respond to recent reports that a 10-year-old autistic boy was placed in a cage at his Canberra primary school.

By Matthew Doran

Autism experts have lamented reports a 10-year-old boy was placed in a cage at a Canberra primary school, saying it signals a national standard for autism education in mainstream schools is urgently required.

Warning: what follows appears to have been the original story as posted. It may not have been accurate, so was updated ... see here.

The ACT Education Department is investigating how a child was contained in a cage-like withdrawal space in a primary school. 

Advocates are pushing for young people diagnosed with autism to receive more targeted support in their hunt for full-time work.

While youth unemployment is high across the board, more than half of Australia's young people with high functioning autism are out of work.

Marking World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, advocates are arguing more autism-specific employment services are needed.

Brisbane teenager Angus Ewin, who is autistic and dyslexic, has discovered his passion is making jewellery and hopes to soon make it a career.

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I am hugely encouraged by the growing public awareness of autism spectrum disorders and the increase of public services to many of those affected. World Autism Awareness Day not only fosters greater understanding, it empowers parents into seeking early intervention therapies and calls for the full integration of persons with autism into society. It also invites policy-makers to encourage schools to open their doors to students with autism. With adequate support, they can -- and should -- be educated in the heart of their communities.

by Tim Dodd

Each week we bring you the latest about massive open online courses (MOOCs) and online delivery, the phenomena that are revolutionising education.

People with autism and learning disabilities can die up to 20 years prematurely. So how can we help carers and health workers diagnose illness in non-verbal patients?

 An image from the Books Beyond Words series. Photograph: Lisa Kopper

PEOPLE with cognitive impairments will be better protected from sexual abuse after new offences were added to the state’s Disability Justice Plan.

The new laws start today and will better protect people with an intellectual disability or cognitive impairment.

A cognitive impairment is defined as an intellectual disability, developmental disorder (including autistic spectrum disorders), neurological disorder, dementia, mental impairment and brain injury.