Imagine starting your first year of school with a ­volcano inside you. The sound of a ticking fan could overwhelm your senses or the heat from another’s body might stoke its rumbling. Any number of noises or smells can trigger the meltdown of an autistic child who might explode at home if one food touches another on the dinner plate. They might suddenly throw themselves onto the floor, screaming, hitting and kicking out at ­anyone who tries to restrain them.

The report is available at http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Educatio…

It contains: 

RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendation 1

4.75 The committee recommends that the government commits to funding schools on the basis of need, according to the Gonski Review.

Recommendation 2

A dramatic rise in autism diag­noses has fuelled a surge in the number of students with disabil­ities, sparking a crisis in schools that education systems are unable or unwilling to fix.

A Senate inquiry into the issue reported yesterday that the education system was failing stud­ents, who were being excluded from enrolling because their disabilities were seen as a problem for individual schools.

A Senate committee has released a scathing report on the state of school education for children with disabilities.

The cross-party Education and Employment References Committee chaired by Labor Senator Sue Lines recommended more funding to assist students with a disability and the schools that they attend, better teacher training and a more coordinated, national approach to identifying areas of need.

Senator Lines told 7.30 she was "shocked" by the evidence the committee heard.

Deborah Glass

In investigating the abuse of disabled people, Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass found a system where process rates above the needs and human rights of people.

We must support the independence and decision making of people with disability, and never more steadfastly than when they make allegations of abuse.

We must support the independence and decision making of people with disability, and never more steadfastly than when they make allegations of abuse.

A WANDIN North mother is calling for more government help for carers of people with high functioning autism.

Two of Angela Jones’s four children have been diagnosed with the disorder, which she said placed a heavy emotional toll on her and other carers.

High functioning autism is a disorder that affects a person’s social and emotional behaviours. According to Aspergers Victoria, the boundaries between high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome are not clear — they are often considered the same disorder.

Mindfulness, a meditative practice focusing on attention and awareness training, has been shown to have positive effects on mental and physical wellbeing. A recent review of studies has also shown that mindfulness meditation helps people with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder reduce their mental and physical problems.

Revelations in a new book cast Dr. Asperger in a new and unflattering light

By John Elder Robison

What’s the rest of the story of Asperger and autism?

A Figtree man with Asperger's Syndrome will remain behind bars after reportedly indecently assaulting a woman on a train to Sydney. Peter Thompson, aged 40, allegedly hugged and kissed the woman without her permission on board a train at Waterfall on December 29. Thompson had previously been convicted of similar matters and was banned from riding on any public transport. Police say that despite those bail and bond conditions, Thompson continues to re-offend. He remains in custody until another court appearance on January 12.

Dear The Hon C Porter MP

Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (known as A4) received the response below from Gary Knox to our email that asked several questions.

Mr Knox's response describes material that is well known to us; particularly in relation to Impairment Table 7 - Brain Function. And it describes Centrelink's review system and the possibility of appealing a review to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.