Study summary – Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre

Could supporting self-determination help Autistic adults improve their quality…

Full title: Could supporting self-determination help Autistic adults improve their quality of life?

This is a summary of the latest paper by PhD candidate Helen Andrews – “The Relationship Between Autistic Traits and Quality of Life: Investigation of Indirect Effects Through Self-Determination“. This paper was the outcome of their honours project, supervised by Dr Simon Bury and Associate Professor Darren Hedley.

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.

Positive Outcomes for Autistic Employees at DHHS

Taking the time to understand individual needs, providing professional development opportunities and training managers and co-workers were all factors that contributed to the success of the recently-completed ‘Rise@DHHS’ Autism employment program.

Parental stress and Autism

OTARC 2014 Phd graduate Rebecca McStay discusses family stress and Autism

The nature of sleep difficulties in Autistic adults

Emma Baker, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, OTARC Alumni, on the types and causes of sleep problems in Autistic adults

Imitation Difficulties Among Children with a Diagnosis of Autism…

Copying others is important for development. It provides a way to learn about the physical world, and a context for children to practice and develop their skills for interacting with others. There is evidence to suggest that children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism) imitate less often and less accurately than non-autistic children. While several explanatory theories have been put forward for these findings, the specific reasons for imitation difficulties remain unclear.

Well-Being in Mothers after their Child’s Recent ASD Diagnosis

Many mothers with children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism) diagnosis report higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression than mothers with non-autistic children and those rearing children with other disabilities. But we don’t know which factors contribute to or protect against these negative outcomes. Being from a migrant family, I wondered whether mothers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds would experience more or less stress, anxiety and depression in reaction to having an autists child than Australian mothers. Based on other research, we also thought that different coping skills may influence how mothers react. These are the questions I explored for my Honours project with Dr Kristelle Hudry and Dr Josephine Barbaro at OTARC. We were particularly interested in the reactions and coping skills of mothers whose child had recently been diagnosed with Autism.

Investigating Behavioural, Gastrointestinal, Sleep and Diet

By OTARC Master of Clinical Psychology candidate, Stephanie Mertins and Associate Professor Amanda Richdale

Parents of children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism) often report more child behavioural, gastrointestinal and sleep difficulties than do parents of non-autistic children.

How does having an Autistic sibling affect toddlers?

During my previous employment at the Australian Psychological Society on the early childhood mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention initiative, KidsMatter Early Childhood, I developed a keen interest in the well-being of children under school age. I discovered that even during toddlerhood, some children begin to show signs of emotional and behavioral difficulties, including “acting out” difficulties such as aggression, and “holding in” difficulties such as excessive worry and anxiety. Whilst some children “grow out of” these difficulties, around 1 in 2 children do not seem to improve without intervention, and continue to show signs of difficulties when followed up in later years.

Children with early signs of Autism receive supports in…

Research underway for many years at La Trobe University has been supporting the very early identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders in infancy and toddlerhood with the view of promoting optimal development by access to early intervention. Recent research by Sally Rogers and her colleagues of the MIND Institute, published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders this week describes the first controlled study documenting outcomes of infants with signs of Autism who received supports in their first year of life, well before the age at which Autism is usually diagnosed.

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