The quest to find a learning, training and respite facility for people with autism in Port Stephens has almost totally consumed the lives of Nelson Bay parents Les and Judy Merrett.

In 2010 the couple, whose 15-year-old son Dylan has autism, established the charity Autism Action with an aim to assist Port Stephens families impacted by autism and other intellectual disabilities.

Madeleine Ryan

I'm autistic, and I've rarely ever seen myself in the television characters that are supposed to represent me. There seem to be a lot of doctors, detectives – and dudes. It's hard to find stories about openly autistic girls and women navigating life as openly autistic girls and women; and even harder to find ones where autism is treated as more than a freakish gift, or as a disability.

Cassandra Hough

It is not easy for people on the autism spectrum to find work, but an Australian piggery is trying to change that.

SunPork Farms is part of an initiative called Autism and Agriculture which is aiming to develop career paths for people on the autism spectrum in animal care roles.

In Australia only about 40 per cent of autistic adults have a job.

Frank Chung

COLES is rolling out its autism-friendly, “low-sensory” Quiet Hour shopping experiment nationwide, with reduced noise, lighting and in-store distractions.

COLES will dim the lights, turn down the music and reduce in-store distractions at 173 stores from tomorrow as it more than doubles the number of Quiet Hour locations.

Frances Vinall

A new exhibition at Kimono Lounge showcases the works of Launceston artist Damian Colpo. 

The Kimono Lounge, a former church, is a gallery and shop in the home of Sarah Trousdale. She doubles as an art therapy teacher, and her gallery is a space for people of all abilities.

Colpo, who has autism, is a student of Trousdale’s, and has found art as a way to show his creativity, unique worldview, and love of animals. 

Another commentary on the NDIS.

It shouldn’t be hard to prove you don’t have any legs, right? Adam Bowes shares his (quite frustrating) experience with the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

By Sherryn Groch

The ACT's new watchdog for restrictive practices is investigating a fenced-off facility used to isolate a Canberra student with special needs from his peers.

Don't look away, just smile. Canberra Raiders' head coach, Ricky Stuart shares his story about his Foundation and the impact of Autism, not only in Rugby League but in Australia.

from https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/ricky-s…

For people with autism, travelling on public transport can be traumatic and stressful experience making them highly anxious. Autism is characterised by limited communication and reduced social skills, repetitive behaviour and high sensitivity to light, sound, touch and smell. People with autism enjoy routine. So late news that a train or bus is delayed or cancelled, can bring with it extreme frustration and disorientation.