Chris Taylor / Reuters June 24, 2014

A new study pegs the lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism at $1.4 million. For parents, there are no easy solutions.

When Linda Mercier’s son Sam was around two years old, she knew something wasn’t right.

That was the beginning of a very long road, one that has involved significant time, effort — and money, plenty of it. Hundreds of thousands of dollars so far, Mercier estimates, on tutors, therapists and lost wages.

Families of children with autism say they have been short changed under the National Disability Insurance Scheme, with early intervention therapy provisions falling far below international best practice.

Participants in launch sites have been told they will received funding for less than six hours of therapy a week, less than a third of the recommended 20 hours.

Monika Dobek has been spending about $35,000 a year on 20 hours a week of evidence-based applied behaviour analysis therapy for her six-year-old daughter, Olivia, who was diagnosed with autism two years ago.

She was delighted when she was told Olivia would be eligible for funding under the NDIS in April but stunned to discover the money would only cover six hours of therapy a week.

Rick Morton, Social Affairs Reporter, The Australian, June 20, 2014

AUSTRALIA’S only politician who uses a wheelchair has written to the chairman of the national disability insurance scheme urging the board to listen more carefully to people who have a “lived experience” of disability.

South Australian Legislative Council member Kelly Vincent, who heads the Dignity for Disability Party, wrote to Bruce Bonyhady last week, highlighting the lack of people with disability involved in national forums relating to the landmark NDIS.

Bangladesh has urged all WHO member states to approve the autism resolution in the ongoing world health assembly that began on Monday in Geneva.

Health Minister Mohammed Nasim made the appeal on Tuesday in his speech in the assembly.

The World Health Organisation’s Executive Board ‘unanimously’ accepted the resolution placed by Bangladesh last year, clearing the way for its placement in this general assembly for final approval.

Elissa Doherty Herald Sun May 18, 2014

AUTISTIC children have been repeatedly locked in a darkened room for up to 20 minutes for misbehaving at a special school, staff and parents claim.

Seven parents have come forward with the allegations and two are pursuing separate court actions against Marnebek School in Cranbourne East over restraint, seclusion and other issues.

Graeme Innes, 19 May 2014

"It is easy to stand atop a mountain of privilege, and tell those at the bottom of the mountain that privilege is irrelevant."

Dear Adam Creighton,

I have seen you on the ABC's The Drum. I know you are economics correspondent for The Australian, have worked for the Reserve Bank and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

AUTISTIC children have been repeatedly locked in a darkened room for up to 20 minutes for misbehaving at a special school, staff and parents claim.

Seven parents have come forward with the allegations and two are pursuing separate court actions against Marnebek School in Cranbourne East over restraint, seclusion and other issues.

Staff have told the Herald Sun that terrified children would put up a fight when being led into the “time out” room, while other disciplinary tactics have included teachers sitting on unruly students.

Rachael Murray, 16/5/2014

Ian Weier (left) with his son Brent who was fired from the Toowoomba Regional Council parks and gardens department.

A CLIFTON father is at his wits' end after his autistic son was sacked from Toowoomba Regional Council parks and gardens department.

ONE CHANCE: Bah-Lee-J Weller, Kaaliya-Dae Weller, Bek Weller and AEIOU centre manager Andrea Trudeau are encouraging volunteers to join them in the 40km Take A Hike for autism walk on Sunday 25 May. Photo: Mike Knott / NewsMail

ASK any parent what it is like to drag their child to the shops and they will tell you it can be quite the adventure to say the least.

But when your child has autism that adventure can quickly turn into a nightmare.