Sally Eeles

Queensland researchers say anxiety — not autism — is preventing many children on the spectrum from flourishing at school.

Key points:

• Anxiety predicts quality of life more than a child's level of autism, researchers say
• Researchers are hoping to reduce this anxiety by giving parents the skills to give to their children
• Griffith University is seeking 30 families with an autistic child due to start prep in 2022 for the program

On the 12th October 2020, Mr Hoffman, the NDIA CEO, wrote a letter to NDIS participants, their families and carers. In his letter, he claimed that

The tools [for the NDIA's so-called Independent Assessment] have been ... used all over the world for many years.

A4 doubted this was true since no such tool existed for autistic people.

update - final report is available - see below

More than 690,000 Australians live with complex and enduring mental illness such as psychotic illnesses, personality disorders, bipolar disorder or severe and persistent depression and anxiety. People living with complex and enduring mental illness can experience a range of poorer health and social outcomes which can be driven by stigma and discrimination from the broader community.

Dan Jervis-Bardy

A Liberal senator has blasted the government's proposed new assessment system for National Disability Insurance Scheme participants as "dehumanising" and "offensive" and said she wouldn't want her autistic child to be subjected to one.

NSW Senator Hollie Hughes has not ruled out voting against her government when legislation to mandate independent assessments is brought to parliament, declaring she's a "mum first, a senator second".

Elliot Mitchell

They didn’t hurt anyone, break anything or smoke.

Maybe it’s the venue. An empty school has an unsettling vibe, and we’re meeting on the first day of the holidays, with no kids around. A single shaft of sunlight pierces the room to sad effect. Or maybe it’s just that I’m tired. Because I am. Very tired.

Rebecca Puddy

Jessica's son was four years old when she was told he was no longer welcome at his school, and according to some experts, she is not alone in her plight.

A4 sent a short submission (see below) to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for its series of online regional consultations with people with disabilities, through their representative organizations. The Committee's information says: