New funding will help educators develop classrooms to be more inclusive of children with autism, federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth says.
Key points:
- The money will be used for research by the Brisbane's Autism Cooperative Research Centre
- Minister Amanda Rishworth says the research will help build inclusiveness for people with autism
- Queensland's autism ambassador says the support will improve lives
Announcing $2 million for Brisbane's Autism Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) on Wednesday, Ms Rishworth said the research would also develop better understanding for health professionals and potential employers.
She told ABC Radio Brisbane's Craig Zonka and Loretta Ryan that CRC was providing information to educators and developing other helpful tools.
"They've also helped develop an app that helps, for example, people living with autism put their best foot forward when it comes to employment as to how they emphasise their strengths," Ms Rishworth said.
"What they're developing is evidence-based practical resources that can help our whole community be more responsive to people living with autism."
Ms Rishworth said the information needed within CRC research was largely healthcare and employer-based.
"A lot of people said the system services, whether it's the hospital system or the GP service, didn't really understand or know how to best support people living with autism, and we're seeing a big shift for that," she said.
"I've heard from a number of employers that some of the skills that some people have with autism are really attractive.
"You know, being able to see patterns and things that other people can't see, but there hasn't always been guidance about how to make sure we're also supporting people with autism.
"It's really important because it's evidence-based, it's not just someone's idea … which means we get the best outcome."
Ambassador applauds funding
Autism Queensland ambassador and singer Emma Tomlinson told ABC presenter Rebecca Levingston that funding research would help give more support for kids growing up with the neurodevelopmental condition.
Ms Tomlinson believes funding research will improve the lives of young children.(Supplied: Emma Tomlinson)
"This is something I didn't have growing up, support at school and university," Ms Tomlinson said.
"This is the support that my mum and dad have fought for because they've not only been my biggest advocates with my music, but also for my autism and making sure that my brother and I had the best life.
"To have graduated from university with as little support as I had, it was just incredible to see that there is now $2 million advocating for a strategy that's been put in place for generations who are younger than me so that they can have an amazing life."