Few would dispute that children who are exhibiting signs or symptoms of autistic spectrum disorder should be referred and tested. It is when we talk about screening every child for autism that the debate becomes heated.

BY SIRI CARPENTER

Autism is usually thought to be a lifelong condition, but a small number of children lose the core symptoms and shed the diagnosis. Some researchers are beginning to explore how common this may be, and why some children outgrow autism.

The Department of Human Services, together with HP Australia and Specialist People Foundation have expanded their acclaimed Dandelion program to Brisbane, giving young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder access to a career in the IT sector.

Minister for Human Services Senator the Hon Marise Payne said 13 people have this week commenced a three year traineeship with the department where they will work as software test analysts.

Like most parents, Alex Baltins​ wanted to find the best school for her son before he started kindergarten and made inquiries with a couple of schools near her home in Sydney's south.

"They sounded quite keen until I said my child has autism. Then it was like, 'Sorry, no'," she said. "I felt as if no one wanted my son."

A quality education experience for a student with disability is still likened to winning the lottery. 

Children with Disability Australia

What’s the most reliable way to know if your child has autism? Is it a genetic test? Or are more traditional behavioral assessments, which measure talking and social skills, more accurate? The latest research provides some answers

Steve Silberman wrote a book called NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity that describes an history of autism mainly in USA and Europe.

Here is his TED talk ahead of publication of his book: http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_silberma…

A4's submission, Going nowhere, to the Committee's Inquiry into Current levels of access and attainment for students with disability in the school system, and the impact on students and families associated with inadequate levels of support can be downloaded from the Committee's website (it's number 226) or from here. 

DAVID MARK: A new study indicates that the number of autism cases in Australia is increasing among younger children.

Researchers have found that 1.5 per cent of all 10 and 11 year olds have an autism spectrum condition, compared to 2.5 per cent of four and five year olds.

What's not clear is whether the condition is becoming more prevalent, or if it's simply being diagnosed more effectively.



Whatever the cause, experts say Australian schools need to prepare for an increase of autistic students.



Lucy Carter prepared this report.