The disability support industry is facing a dramatic shortage of trained carers, leaving thousands of families without regular care and much needed respite.

Lateline spent a day with Fiona Hough and her five-year-old son Charlie, who has autism, to see how they cope when the carer doesn't come.

"Not having that person there, it's amazing how quickly you can get down into really dark territory," Ms Hough said.

Disability agencies say they are struggling to recruit staff and keep up with the demand from families in need.

Typo in Pediatrics inflates increase in autism

by F. Perry Wilson MD, MSCE

The paper contains a jarring statement: the rate of autism spectrum disorder rose by "almost 400%" from 2007 to 2011, but the statement is wrong.

The paper in question is published online today by Pediatrics, but a close review of the data revealed that the number was drastically inflated.

Abstract

In order to shed more light on why referred girls are less likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder than boys, this study examined whether behavioral characteristics influence the probability of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis differently in girls versus boys derived from a multicenter sample of consecutively referred children aged 2.5-10 years.

Sarah Wiedersehn

Scientists have found that brains with a "typically male" structure, even among women, are linked to a higher risk of autism.

A German study of high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), also known as Asperger syndrome, found females with more typical male brain anatomy were about three times more likely to have ASD.

Between five and 10 per cent of students have learning disabilities, Young says

Ryan Cooke

Teachers in Newfoundland and Labrador need more preparatory time and more training for inclusive education to work, says an expert in the field.

Gabrielle Young, a Memorial University assistant professor with a focus on special education, told CBC the province's inclusion model is rooted in good intentions, but needs better implementation.

David Rettew M.D.

Wendy Williams

Australia needs to “rethink” autism in the workplace, according to a not-for-profit disability employment organisation, involved in a world-first initiative to employ autistic adults in specialist animal care roles.

EPIC Assist, an organisation which helps people with disability to prepare for, find and maintain meaningful employment, said there were major problems with the way society viewed disability.