Julia Medew

Some children showing signs of autism are left undiagnosed under new guidelines for autism spectrum disorders. Others are told they have ''social communication disorder'', a new condition that does not attract government funding for therapy, a leading psychologist says.

The following newspaper reports relate to the Abbott Government ignoring information and advice from stakeholders (see http://a4.org.au/a4/node/742 and http://a4.org.au/a4/node/779). The Government is intent on rerunning policy that has already failed repeatedly.

Please note Samantha Maiden and the Sunday Telegraph disgustingly branded people with disability explicitly on their front page as bludgers without any evidence to this effect.

BLUDGERS BUSTED

22 Dec 2013, The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney), SAMANTHA MAIDEN

Cathy O'Leary, Medical Editor, The West Australian

A leading WA autism researcher says a new US study has added weight to a theory linking autism to gut problems that could be treated.

Scientists have found a link between mice with gastrointestinal problems caused by changes in bacteria in the gut and autism-type behaviour.

Their results, published in the medical journal Cell, also found that giving affected mice so-called good gut bacteria helped problems such as anxiety-like behaviour disappear.

A BANGLADESHI family with an autistic son is waiting for the federal Immigration Minister Scott Morrison to personally intervene in their case after they were refused permanent residency because of the son's medical condition.

Enamul and Siuly Kabir had their appeal to the Migration Review Tribunal knocked back in October because their son Srijon's condition could "likely result in a significant cost to the Australian community in the areas of health care and community services".

But Enamul Kabir, who works as a statistician at the University of Queensland, said Srijon required no medication or therapy.

Monique Blakemore from Manchester UK has Asperger’s Syndrome and is an autism advocate for others on the autistic spectrum and for families supporting autistic individuals. She has two young sons who are both on the autistic spectrum.

Monique is an active campaigner, advocate and coach. Earlier this year she facilitated Autism Bubble Day of which more information can be read here and which was endorsed by The World Autism Organisation.

Monique is also Mentor and Specialist Advocate for autistic parents in care proceedings that are trying to obtain correct educational provision for their children.

Monique was employed as Employment Development Consultant covering Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire for a charity that provided employment coaching to adults with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).

AAP

A SINGLE spray of the hormone oxytocin can temporarily help children with autism overcome their disorder, research has shown.

Scientists studied 17 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders who were randomly treated either with an oxytocin nasal spray or an inactive dummy compound.

Felix Hua who disappeared in May 2009 during a field trip.

A carer who was unqualified to look after a severely autistic boy who drowned during a field trip should not be blamed for the teenager's death, a coroner has ruled.

On Thursday Coroner Heather Spooner ruled that Vipula Rajakaruna Mudiyanselage lacked the knowledge to care expertly for Felix Hua because he was not aware of the boy's disabilities and lacked the training and support from his then employer, Southern Cross Care.

Mr Rajakaruna Mudiyanselage was caring for Felix in his role as a community support worker when the 14-year-old went missing at Yarra Bend Park in Fairfield on May 30, 2009.

Felix's body was found three days later in the Yarra River, near Dights Falls, after an extensive search by police and the SES.

Dorothy Vasilakis with her autistic son Christiaan Dramisino at Ashford Special School earlier this year. Picture: Calum Robertson Source: News Corp Australia

Treetop Autism Specific School will open for 45 students in Ashford in 2015

A SCHOOL for students with autism spectrum disorders will open in South Australia in 2015 following a campaign by parents.

Treetop Autism Specific School will cater for 45 students in years reception to nine.

It will be based in Ashford, on the current site of the Ashford special school, which is relocating to Plympton.

The Advertiser has covered the campaign by mother of two Fiora Christou and other parents with autistic children for such a school since last year.

South Australia is the only state without a specialised education facility for students with the developmental disability.

Treetop board chairman John Dagas said students with autism would not spend their entire schooling life there.