When we don't understand autistic kids we create a toxic environment for them.

Posted August 31, 2021 | Reviewed by Tyler Woods

For most autistic children, school can be a toxic environment. Working on the advice of experts, school staff aim to have autistic children’s behavior conform to neurotypical expectations. The more a child is indistinguishable from mainstream peers, the more successful the school intervention is believed to be.

The Disability Royal Commission welcomes the Australian Government’s release of a new national roadmap that aims to improve the health of people with intellectual disability (Roadmap).

The Royal Commission strongly supports any initiative that addresses the serious inequities people with cognitive disability face in the current health system, and that attempts to develop a system in which they have access to high quality, timely and comprehensive care.

Eighteen people linked to a special needs school in Sydney’s north — including seven students — have tested positive for COVID-19.

Key points:

• Parents were first notified a staff member tested positive on August 5
• Seven students, three staff and eight family members are now positive
• NSW Health says it does not disclose details on venues of concern unless there is a public health risk

The Giant Steps school in Gladesville caters for students with severe autism and has closed its doors after becoming aware of a positive case last week.

SAFEWORK NSW v SNAP PROGRAMS LIMITED AND STATE OF NEW SOUTH
WALES (DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES AND JUSTICE) [2021] NSWDC
259

District Court of New South Wales, Scotting DCJ, 18 June 2021

Sentence hearing for a WPHS breach involving the death of a child in care

Key Words: Workplace Health and Safety, New South Wales, Penalty, Death Of Child In Care, Duty of Care

John Harris

Progress has been made, but the release of the profound film, The Reason I Jump, shows how much further we need to go

Sally Eeles

Queensland researchers say anxiety — not autism — is preventing many children on the spectrum from flourishing at school.

Key points:

• Anxiety predicts quality of life more than a child's level of autism, researchers say
• Researchers are hoping to reduce this anxiety by giving parents the skills to give to their children
• Griffith University is seeking 30 families with an autistic child due to start prep in 2022 for the program