Graeme Innes, 19 May 2014

"It is easy to stand atop a mountain of privilege, and tell those at the bottom of the mountain that privilege is irrelevant."

Dear Adam Creighton,

I have seen you on the ABC's The Drum. I know you are economics correspondent for The Australian, have worked for the Reserve Bank and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

AUTISTIC children have been repeatedly locked in a darkened room for up to 20 minutes for misbehaving at a special school, staff and parents claim.

Seven parents have come forward with the allegations and two are pursuing separate court actions against Marnebek School in Cranbourne East over restraint, seclusion and other issues.

Staff have told the Herald Sun that terrified children would put up a fight when being led into the “time out” room, while other disciplinary tactics have included teachers sitting on unruly students.

Rachael Murray, 16/5/2014

Ian Weier (left) with his son Brent who was fired from the Toowoomba Regional Council parks and gardens department.

A CLIFTON father is at his wits' end after his autistic son was sacked from Toowoomba Regional Council parks and gardens department.

ONE CHANCE: Bah-Lee-J Weller, Kaaliya-Dae Weller, Bek Weller and AEIOU centre manager Andrea Trudeau are encouraging volunteers to join them in the 40km Take A Hike for autism walk on Sunday 25 May. Photo: Mike Knott / NewsMail

ASK any parent what it is like to drag their child to the shops and they will tell you it can be quite the adventure to say the least.

But when your child has autism that adventure can quickly turn into a nightmare.

Media Release

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) kicks off in the ACT in less than two months but it is far from ready for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The NDIS is extremely difficult for people with ASD to navigate.

BLAIR RICHARDS April 24, 2014

Rebecca Taylor with her seven-year-old son Willow, who has autism. Picture: RICHARD JUPE Source: News Limited

REBECCA Taylor is speaking out on behalf of other Tasmanian parents whose children have a disability.

She decided to share her story after the Mercury yesterday reported some children with disabilities were being sent home or asked not to attend school ­because of a lack of support.

By Richard Hastings, University of Warwick

Brighton resident Dennis Crowley is the chief executive of BioAutism, and is researching autism. Picture: Valeriu Campan Source: News Limited

A RETIRED Brighton scientist is leading the charge to unlock the mystery of autism — and is calling for volunteers to help him in his quest.

The equivalent of 7 per cent of Australia's workforce claims a disability pension — more than double the population of the capital Canberra — and the government needs more recipients to work to rein in a A$138 billion social-security bill it says is unsustainable.

By Angus Whitley

Allen Rankin says living on Australian welfare payments designed to help him survive his mental disability instead left him contemplating suicide.