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Establishing an early transcription skills program for Autistic children…

Children with developmental disabilities may experience difficulties in the early stages of learning to write, with some failing to become fluent writers over the longer term. In this presentation, Dr Ben Bailey will discuss recent findings on evidence-based writing instruction for Autistic children focusing on early spelling, handwriting and typing skills (transcription). The presentation will also introduce a new research project which aims to develop an early transcription skills program specifically for Autistic children (Start Write) in collaboration with Dr Karen Ray and members of the Autistic community, including Autistic adolescents, parents of Autistic children, educators and allied health professionals.

Read more “Establishing an early transcription skills program for Autistic children – Start Write” →
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Autism and self harm: Developing a better assessment tool

This talk contains content about self harm.

Victoria Newell will :

  • review the prevalence of suicidality in Autistic people and self-harm as a risk factor
  • review existing self-harm assessment tools in Autistic and general population adults
  • discuss preliminary findings to develop a self-harm assessment tool with and for Autistic adults using focus groups and cognitive interviews
  • discuss what’s next – exploring measurement properties using an online survey.
Read more “Autism and self harm: Developing a better assessment tool” →
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Finding him among the living

Content warning: The following seminar contains content about suicide.

Any mother would die for their child, but how do you live for them?

Dr Jessica Revill is a psychologist and parent survivor to the loss of her Autistic son Gregory. She wrote the memoir of his death “Find him Among the Living” in 2020. In her book, her investigations into the mental health system, suicide and Autism revealed not a ‘broken system’ but an absent one. Coming from the perspective of both lived experience and research raises questions about the following:

  • Is the health care’s separation of health from mental health helping or hindering suicide prevention?
  • Doctor education and disability.
  • Public health’s approach to prevention comparing preventing road deaths versus suicide deaths.
  • A mental health curriculum in schools. What would that look like?
  • How does de-institutionalization help or hinder the mental health of people with disabilities and mental illness?
  • Non-clinical support systems.
  • The emergency room.
Read more “Finding him among the living” →

Understanding factors influencing inclusion and participation in community gym…

Georgia McKenzie will discuss the findings of her PhD research, which explored inclusion and participation in community gym settings for adults with cerebral palsy. Georgia will present the findings from a series of studies that have identified and examined key relationships between young adults with cerebral palsy and the environments around them that are influencing their participation in community gyms. Georgia will conclude the seminar with a discussion on the implications of the findings, and recommendations for change across the rehabilitation and recreation sectors.

Read more “Understanding factors influencing inclusion and participation in community gym settings for adults with cerebral palsy” →
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Facing Stress: Coping Strategies, Resilience and Mental Health Outcomes…

Coping Strategies, Resilience and Mental Health Outcomes in Autistic Adults

There is consensus surrounding the poor mental health outcomes experienced by many in the Autistic adult population. While the non-autistic literature suggests that high stress represents a key contributor to poor mental health and well-being, individual resources such as coping and resilience have the potential to mitigate the negative effects of stress, accounting for individual differences across mental health outcomes. Despite emerging research showing high stress in Autistic adults, investigations of coping and resilience in this population remain limited. 

Read more “Facing Stress: Coping Strategies, Resilience and Mental Health Outcomes in Autistic Adult” →

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  • About OTARC
  • News
  • OTARC Participant Registry
  • OTARC Research Findings
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Supports and practices for daily living
  • Educational and vocational engagement
  • Identification and diagnosis
  • Studies Recruiting
  • Autism perspectives