Adam Guastella, University of Sydney; Kelsie Boulton, University of Sydney, and Natalie Silove, University of Sydney

With childcare and schools starting the new year, parents might be anxiously wondering how their child will adapt in a new learning environment. Some parents may be concerned about their child’s development or that they need specialised support.

One in five children have a developmental vulnerability when they start school. And one in ten will meet criteria for a neurodevelopmental condition, such as autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

New research has revealed that children wait 3.5 years on average for neurodevelopment assessments.

The largest study of needs of families requesting neurodevelopment assessments found that the average time for families waiting on a completed assessment for their children was 3.5 years in public services. This wait time started from when parents first noticed a concern to when they received a comprehensive assessment.

Kirryn West James and Vanessa Yol

Jessica Horner

Being diagnosed as autistic as an adult made these people want to make a change. Now they’re flipping the switch on the negative perceptions of autism.

ABC Riverina

“I am a broken person, trying to put the pieces back together in the (perhaps vain) hope that maybe the repaired version will be more beautiful than the scars that pain left behind …”

Rachel Pupazzoni

Jessica Horner

Rebecca Trigger

A girl with severe autism was locked in solitary confinement at a West Australian juvenile detention centre for more than seven months, documents filed in the Australian Federal Court claim.