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.

Senator the Honourable Mr Fifield,
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

cc: The Honourable Kevin Andrews MP

Dear Senator,

Subject: Disability Support Pension changes in 2014 Federal Budget

An open letter to Senator The Hon Mitch Fifield, Assistant Minister for Social Services

Dear Minister Fifield

With respect, you cannot go on national radio (AM, Radio National 7 May 2014) and say to people with intellectual disability and their families that people with significant intellectual disability are unable to work in the open labour market (open employment).

This is factually wrong.

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.

Media Release

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) kicks off in the ACT in less than two months but it is far from ready for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The NDIS is extremely difficult for people with ASD to navigate.

Back in November 2013, Peter Hill wrote (see link below) to Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services, asking about:

• a meeting
• the number of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses (which are increasing significantly)
• the cost of ASD to the community and steps that could/should be taken to minimise the burden on the community