Show news for a region of your choice (mostly Austraian news).

Clue on why boys more prone to autism

By bobb |

Sarah Wiedersehn

Scientists have found that brains with a "typically male" structure, even among women, are linked to a higher risk of autism.

A German study of high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), also known as Asperger syndrome, found females with more typical male brain anatomy were about three times more likely to have ASD.

Earlier intervention, more teacher training needed for inclusive education, expert says

By bobb |

Between five and 10 per cent of students have learning disabilities, Young says

Ryan Cooke

Teachers in Newfoundland and Labrador need more preparatory time and more training for inclusive education to work, says an expert in the field.

Gabrielle Young, a Memorial University assistant professor with a focus on special education, told CBC the province's inclusion model is rooted in good intentions, but needs better implementation.

Rethinking Autism in the Workplace

By convenor |

Wendy Williams

Australia needs to “rethink” autism in the workplace, according to a not-for-profit disability employment organisation, involved in a world-first initiative to employ autistic adults in specialist animal care roles.

EPIC Assist, an organisation which helps people with disability to prepare for, find and maintain meaningful employment, said there were major problems with the way society viewed disability.

Why people with intellectual disabilities are dying avoidable deaths

By bobb |

Kate Aubusson

Maureen McIlquham drifts between caressing memories and hellish grief when she thinks of her daughter, Michelle.

Michelle wanted to be a copy typist. She longed to have a boyfriend and fall in love, like her sister.

Michelle 'deserved the same treatment'

Maureen McIlquham's daughter died of meningitis after her condition was overlooked by medical staff.

International Autism Research Society Denounces Trump's Immigration Restrictions

By convenor |

Emily Willingham 

In a strongly worded statement dated February 1, the board of directors of the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) has expressed its “unanimous denunciation” of what it calls “restrictive immigration policies” as laid out in what is likely Donald Trump’s most controversial executive order (EO) to date. The complete text was posted to INSAR’s website January 31.

‘Our kids won’t succeed without help’: Mums isolated in regional Australia with autistic children

By bobb |

GEMMA Foxall and Liz Martin were teaching colleagues, then friends, then found out within a week of each other that their sons had severe autism.

Living in the relatively isolated town of Bunbury, three hours south of Perth, the two mothers quickly found they had to rely on each other even more.

They quickly discovered that without constant fighting on their part, simply living in regional Australia could be devastating for their children.