Rachael Seow

SINGAPORE - Seventeen-year-old Choo Jian Wei is not only a first-year bioengineering student at Singapore Polytechnic, but also an accomplished member of Pathlight School's Artist Development Programme (ADP).

His "Sketch of An Eye" is one of the 10 artworks on display on board Singapore's first autism-themed MRT train and at four interchange stations.

"The eye is a window into the soul," he said when discussing the inspiration for his pencil sketch.

Bill Gamack

Employable Me is a real and raw depiction of the challenges associated with job hunting when you have a disability, writes EPIC Assist CEO Bill Gamack.

Until recently, four-year-old Hussain Hussain communicated with his mother by pulling at her and pointing to what he wanted.

He managed the odd word but could not put two together.

His mother, Sohaila Ibrahim, suspected something was wrong and was not surprised when Hussain was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in late 2017.

As devastating as it was, the diagnosis turned out to be a blessing, making it possible for Hussain to attend a new school specialising in learning for students with ASD.

And the early signs have been extremely positive.

Liz Pellicano, Macquarie University

Autistic people have been routinely misunderstood, ignored, and excluded for decades – including from campaigns designed to promote awareness of autism itself. But this is beginning to change.

By Stephanie Dalzell and Elise Scott

At 85-years-of age, Noel Thompson did not expect to still be on duty, providing around-the-clock care to his adult son Adam — who has an intellectual disability.

For the past three decades Noel has received funding to place Adam in respite care when needed, but last year that funding was cut from the 48-year-old's NDIS plan.

Minister R. Stephen-Smith MLA
ACT Legislative Assembly

Dear Ms Stephen-Smith MLA

Dear Ms Nugent

Thank you for your reply and for your apparent intervention.

Please note that I met with Mss Faulkner, McClelland and O'Neill in January 2018 (and previously in December 2016) with the alleged purpose "to discuss [A4's] concerns"; but the meetings were not discussions. I explained what happened in the latest meeting in my previous letter; the NDIA officials were unprepared for the meetings so they did not discuss A4's concerns related to early intervention for autistic children.

Vicki Gibbs

Autism can be an isolating and confusing condition and research suggests it is being overlooked in girls.Credit:John Donegan