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Readers share stories of school refusal in Australia: ‘It scarred us and changed us forever’

By bobb |
classroom with empty chairs and desks

With education and mental health systems under pressure, families are experiencing distress as a result of children refusing to go to school. Here are some of their stories

Guardian Australia asked readers to share their experiences of school refusal, the commonly used term for children who are so distressed by school that they are unable to attend. Data that differentiates school refusal from other types of absences is hard to obtain, but anecdotally experiences of school refusal are rising.

Increased stress and depression in parents of autistic NDIS participants

By bobb |
Olgar Tennison Autism Research Centre, lA Trobe Uni. logo

A recent research publication observed:

The rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has transformed the Australian funding landscape for individuals with disability and their families. This study examined whether the profiles of autistic children and their families accessing an early intervention (EI) setting have changed following its introduction.

It found that ...

The I Am, Movement designs 'culturally safe' education resources for Indigenous children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder

By bobb |
Tanika Davis's son Slade

Madeleine Cross and Meredith Kirton 

When Tanika Davis's son was diagnosed with autism at just two years old, the Worimi mother was confronted with the stigma surrounding the developmental disorder, but also surprised at the lack of consideration for Slade's Indigenous culture.

NDIS: Participants, Process and Platform (3P) improvement initiative

By convenor |

Subject: Participants, Process and Platform (3P) improvement initiative
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2022 11:53:40 +1000
From: Bob Buckley (A4 Convenor) <convenor@a4.org.au>
To: <XXX@ndis.gov.au>

Hi XXX

I am concerned that I don't (yet?) see really basic design goals being stated for your PACE project. I would hope that the system is designed to:

Concerns 'the next national stars' are being shut out of sporting clubs due to a lack of inclusivity for athletes with autism

By bobb |
Ava Renwood (six years old) facing camera

Six-year-old Ava Renwood is an aspiring athlete with big dreams of a career in sport.

Key points:

  • Special Olympics Queensland says many athletes with autism struggle to be accepted into sporting groups
  • Brisbane mum Ashleigh Brook says Australia risks potential future athletes "falling through the cracks"
  • Multi-class events are enabling children with disability to compete in more high level sporting events

But her mum Ashleigh Brook fears her options are limited by the lack of inclusivity and understanding of athletes with autism.

Autism CRC: Longitudinal Study of Australian School Leavers with Autism (SASLA)

By bobb |
Autism CRC logo

Historically, the adult years have been ignored in autism research, despite that these years representing the greatest proportion of individuals’ lives. Hence, limited information and guidance exists for autistic adults, their families and those who may provide support (e.g., health services, employment services, higher education) about trajectories from late adolescence through old age.

SA makes history with new autism minister

By bobb |
Emily Bourke

Tim Dornin

South Australia's autism community will get its own state government minister in a national first and a decision hailed as a major step towards greater inclusion.

Emily Bourke has been appointed assistant minister for autism in a bid to ensure people with the neurological condition are better represented.

Premier Peter Malinauskas says he has heard from many South Australians that the time has come for a dedicated effort from government to make autism a priority. 

"That is why we have created this new role," he said on Monday.

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