Autism assistance dogs
A recent NDIS study compares the benefits of assistance dogs and pet dogs for Autistic individuals. Learn about the social, emotional, and practical impacts on families, as well as the challenges they face.
GYM-SPARC: Improving gym accessibility for young adults with disability
The GYM-SPARC project is breaking down barriers to gym participation for young adults with disability by equipping fitness professionals with practical, inclusive support strategies.
Establishing an early transcription skills program for Autistic children – Start Write
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.
Neuroaffirming care values the strengths and differences of autistic people, those with ADHD or other profiles. Here’s how
Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro explores how neuroaffirming care values strengths and difference.
Down Syndrome Victoria FitSkills: Exercising made easier with social support
DSV FitSkills is an inclusive, community-based gym program that empowers young people with Down syndrome through fitness, friendship, and tailored support.
Responding to the needs of Autistic students in the school system
This article highlights the importance of timely support programs and evidence-based support programs that promote independence, participation, and success in school and beyond.
Seven Essential Tips for Parents Evaluating Autism Interventions
With over 400 therapies and services available, choosing the right autism support for your child can feel overwhelming. How do you navigate this growing landscape of options? In this post, we share seven essential tips to help parents evaluate autism supports, from identifying daily living needs to understanding diagnosis practices.
Calling all sensory detectives and creators…
We know that most Autistic people, and some non-autistic, have sensory issues. For those on the Autism spectrum, noises that go unnoticed by many can sound like a booming drum.
What is the best evidence-based support for Autistic children in relation to communication skills?
A very good starting point for comparing different supports is the Raising Children Network’s ‘Parent Guide to Therapies‘ which provides a description of the most commonly used supports in Australia, as well as a rating for research evidence, time commitment required, and cost. Research Autism, based in the UK, provides a similar service and is also well worth a look.
Even when we consider only those interventions for which there is good research evidence, we find that there is currently no single best support program which works equally well for all Autistic children. This is no doubt due in large part to the fact that the individual skills and needs of each child, and his or her family, are unique.
Dr David Trembath
Published July 2019
Supporting speech development in minimally-verbal Autistic adults
Can Autistic adults learn to speak? The answer isn't clear due to limited research. While some may develop speech, outcomes vary. A speech pathologist can assess both verbal and non-verbal communication, increasing the chances of success.