We believe that all Autistic people should thrive. Research, innovation and knowledge translation play a vital role in achieving this aim. Our work is informed by Autistic people, community and industry partners, including the scientific community, and our team. We work closely with these key stakeholders in undertaking our research, and communicate our findings locally, nationally and internationally.
The vision of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) is for a world where Autistic people, their families and their carers thrive. Our mission is to enrich the lives of Autistic people, their families and their carers through high-quality scientific research, innovation and translation.
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgement of Country
OTARC acknowledges that we work on the unceded lands of many traditional Indigenous custodians in Victoria and across Australia.
We recognise their ongoing connection to the land and value their unique contribution to our research, to La Trobe University and to wider Australian society.
We pay our respects to Elders past and present and thank them for their ongoing care of this beautiful country’s land, skies, and waterways.
Diversity
OTARC is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination. We will develop and sustain a culture where access, diversity and inclusivity are recognised, valued and celebrated. OTARC welcomes all people irrespective of neurotype, ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Lived Experience
Our research could not happen without the individual and collective contributions of those with lived experience of neurodivergence, and those who love and care for them. We acknowledge and value their unique expertise. Their perspectives are crucial to our mission to enrich the lives of Autistic people, their families and their carers through high-quality scientific research, innovation and translation and our vision for a world where Autistic people, their families and their carers thrive.