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Autistic children excel in mainstream classes: Amaze CEO

By bobb |

Decades of research shows that children on the autism spectrum make far greater progress in mainstream classrooms than in specialist settings.

In the wake of World Autism awareness day, a campaign has been launched by Amaze called Spectrospective; a short film that will play in cinemas.

Sky News' Ahron Young had a chance to speak with Amaze CEO Fiona Sharkie.

Follow the link below to see the video ...

Concerns over AAT processes for NDIS reviews [DLM=For-Official-Use-Only]

By convenor |

Thank you.

Bob Buckley


Mr Buckley,

I have referred your feedback to management for consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Lynch

Executive Officer

Administrative Appeals Tribunal

Principal Registry


Dear Ms Lynch

Thank you for your interest. However, I am concerned that ongoing reviews of decisions relating to young children who need early intervention are delayed indefinitely in the AAT process.

Waiting for the eruption: Why our autistic son had to leave to save our family

By bobb |

Tony Carr

It was a normal Saturday morning.

I was preparing to drive down to the local shop with my then 16-year-old autistic son Brandon to buy the newspaper and an ice cream.

Brandon looked forward to his weekend treat from dad and I enjoyed our little outing.

But this didn't turn out to be any normal Saturday morning.

Just before we were about to head out to the car, Brandon attacked his mother Joan with such ferocity it took me completely off guard.

Should this neighbour have complained about an autistic boy?

By bobb |

Madeleine Ryan

Expressing our emotional needs can be a tricky business. I’m autistic, and I know that it can take a lot of work. And, as Brisbane mother and full-time carer Magenta Quinn learned late last month, a neighbour demanding peace and quiet can be harder to help than a child on the autism spectrum.

Ms Quinn’s neighbour, who "wished to remain anonymous to avoid any conflict", threatened to call the council if something wasn't done about her autistic son, who hums, moans and yelps to soothe himself.

letter: NDIA, autism stakeholders and early intervention

By convenor |

Mr Robert De Luca

CEO of the National Disability Insurance Agency

Dear Mr De Luca

Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia, known as A4, is the national grass-roots advocacy group representing autistic people and others living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A4 and others in the ASD community have tried to engage with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) from the outset. But there has been very little progress.

Perth childcare worker smacked, put soap in mouth to punish six-year-old child with autism

By bobb |

Tom Wildie

Three childcare workers have been stripped of their accreditation, with one convicted of assault, after a six-year-old child with autism was smacked and had soap put in their mouth as a form of punishment.

Kathleen Burton was charged with aggravated common assault after the incident on December 14 last year.

She pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated common assault in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on February 28 and was fined $700, as well as being ordered to pay court costs of $100.