AN AUTISTIC teen victim of a savage assault at a Sydney shopping mall has a simple, but shocking, answer when asked why he was targeted by the thugs.

SHOCKING video has emerged of a young autistic boy being savagely bashed by a gang of youths at a busy Sydney mall.

The 15-year-old boy is seen on the video standing with his head down as he types a message on his mobile phone. One of the youths shoulders him and causes him to stumble, while others in the gang stand around and watch. And film the encounter.

Nance Haxton

National guidelines to help diagnose people with autism have been drafted for the first time in Australia by a team of experts.

The guidelines are the culmination of a year of research, and are designed to overcome the wide variation in diagnosis methods used between states and territories.

Rick Morton

The first set of national standards governing the diagnosis of autism was released yesterday for public consultation, part of a years-long plan to eradicate big variances in methods and rates of the condition.

Lead researcher Andrew Whitehouse said he hoped the guidelines would be adopted nat­ionwide to standardise diagnostic methods and that one day they would become mandated.

Nance Haxton

Up to three times more people with autism have special talents or "savant" abilities than previously thought.

Researchers from Autism Spectrum Australia have found that identifying and nurturing that special talent at an early age is crucial in ultimately helping people with autism find a meaningful job later in life.

Changing employers' perceptions of autism from focussing on the deficits to the advantages of being on the spectrum is also key.

A free lecture discussing university for those on the autism spectrum is taking place next week.

The University of Wollongong Bega campus is hosting a presentation by Kimberley McMahon-Coeman and Kim Draisma, who both have extensive experience working with university students on the spectrum. 

They will offer insight into the challenges of autism in the classroom, how students can manage the transition to uni and establish successful study patterns.

FAMILIES and carers are encouraged to attend an open day at AEIOU Bundaberg on Friday, September 29, to see first-hand how early intervention is changing the lives of children with autism.

The open day will provide insight into AEIOU's autism-specific program and is a prime opportunity to meet qualified staff, learn about evidence-based early intervention and ask questions.

Attendees are also invited to participate in a free introductory workshop on understanding challenging behaviours.

Peta Rasdien

An incident during which a six year-old autistic boy left school and walked a kilometre away before he was found by a community member has left his parents distressed and demanding answers.

John Butler Primary College principal Brett Lewis said there was no excuse for the ‘deeply regrettable’ incident.