AUTHOR: Luke Beardon, Senior Lecturer in Autism at Sheffield Hallam University

Decades ago I found myself working with a young woman with autism. I had done my reading of the autism texts of the time, and was singularly surprised when nothing I had read matched up to the person I was sat next to. There was no flapping, she had no interest in my earrings or buttons, and she certainly wasn’t even lining anything up.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD; which now includes former diagnostic labels such as Autistic Disorder and Asperger syndrome) is a life-long neuro-developmental disorder. It first shows itself early in life, emerging across toddlerhood and into the preschool years.

It’s what’s on the outside that counts

There is no genetic or blood test for ASD; diagnosis is based on behaviour.

MARKY Roberts cannot speak but he has a growing voice in his Victor Harbor community, which is speaking out to protect him.

The 38-year-old, who has severe Down syndrome, is at the centre of a battle affecting hundreds of South Australia’s intellectually disabled adults who face being chemically or physically restrained for even the most basic medical care.

ASA 3rd National Conference for

people on the Autism Spectrum

Conference Dinner 18 February ( International Asperger Day)

19 to 21 February 2015

Anna Remington, UCL Institute of Education

Microsoft has announced its intention to hire more autistic people – not as a charitable enterprise but because, as corporate vice-president Mary Ellen Smith said: “People with autism bring strengths that we need at Microsoft.” Employing autistic people makes good business sense.

A scheme to increase the number of people with disability hired by the Australian Public Service (APS) has come into effect across the Service.

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THE DANGERS OF BEING DISABLED

The report notes the Australian Human Rights Commission found last April that Australians with disabilities have inadequate safeguards and poor access to services.

Forty-five per cent also live below the poverty line and are at an increased risk or violence or prison.

This appears to be the Government taking credit for something where it did little or nothing (editor).

03 February 2015

Senator the Hon Marise Payne
Minister for Human Services

In an Australian-first 11 people with Autism Spectrum Disorder have begun traineeships designed to harness their unique abilities at the Department of Human Services in Adelaide.