These days, Dani Croaker lives in Melbourne with her two kids and three dogs.

But growing up, she loved the space and freedom of living in the country. She mostly remembers it as a happy childhood — being out in nature and the wide-open paddocks with her sister and two brothers.

Yet when it came to things like school and friendships outside of her family, Dani always felt something wasn't quite right.

"I was too much. I got things wrong, like I didn't know how to temper my excitement or enthusiasm for things.

Chloe Yap, The University of Queensland; Andrew Whitehouse, The University of Western Australia, and Jake Gratten, The University of Queensland

There has been much speculation that the community of bacteria living in the gut – known as the microbiome – may be different among people on the autism spectrum than the wider population. This has led some researchers and clinicians to speculate that gut bacteria could cause autism.

Craig Allen

Gordon Douglas spent most of his 20s on welfare, struggling to find an employer who would look past his "differences" and give him a break.

The 34-year-old battled his way through job application after job application but, despite being highly qualified and intelligent, he often fell out of contention when it came to face-to-face interviews.

Antonia O'Flaherty

When applying for jobs, Emma did not reveal she is neurodiverse because she was concerned prospective employers might judge her.  

"I can relate to the insecurity, to insecurities about revealing your neurodiversity, and about whether or not you would be judged on that," Ms Sellars said. 

"Or if you feel your job would be secure if you made a mistake.

Dan Jervis-Bardy

A Canberra couple are worried for their disabled child's future after her National Disability Insurance Scheme funding was slashed against the advice of her therapists.

Sam Farmer

Rather than interpret the results of this study as implying that autism is a growing epidemic and a condition which therefore is to be feared, view it instead as being reflective of the natural neurological diversity inherent in humanity, carrying unique challenges as well as strengths.

Jessica Wang

The father of an autistic child broke down on live radio, sharing the proud moment his family found out about their son’s top VCE score

Camille Bassanese is autistic and found comfort in a spoon set sold at Kmart before they were discontinued. Her mum Nedra D’Souza approached Kmart and they not only searched for more spoons but will bring their old range back.