autism – Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre

Australia’s rates of autism should be celebrated -but real-life…

November 22, 2023November 22, 2023

Full title: Australia’s rates of autism should be celebrated -but real-life impact, not diagnosis, should determine NDIS support

Nancy Sadka, La Trobe University and Josephine Barbaro, La Trobe University

Ahead of the release of the government’s review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the topic taking centre stage is the diagnosis of autism. Over one third of people accessing the scheme list it as a primary disability.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten has flagged changes to NDIS access, shifting the emphasis from diagnosis to the real-world impact of autism on learning or participation in society. He’s called for education and health systems to step up and be part of a broader ecosystem of supports.

“We just want to move away from diagnosis writing you into the scheme,” the minister said this week. “Because what [then] happens is everyone gets the diagnosis.”

Is autism “over diagnosed” in Australia due to the NDIS, or is it being better identified?

SACS

Autism prevalence in Australia: What we know so far

November 7, 2023November 22, 2023

There have been no systematic studies on the prevalence of Autism in Australia. Accurate prevalence data allows for planning necessary services and supports, and also helps to build community understanding for Autistic Australians. We know that Autistic individuals make up approximately 30% of people accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), however without accurate prevalence data, it is difficult to know what proportion of Autistic individuals are receiving funding.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into some of our research that aims to understand the prevalence of Autism in Australia. OTARC researchers have conducted four studies that have created a clearer picture of the situation and highlighted areas where more attention and support may be needed.

Studies Recruiting

Resilience Experiences and Perspectives in Autistic Adults

August 28, 2023September 7, 2023

What does the term ‘resilience’ mean to autistic adults?
What are factors that have helped or hindered experiences of resilience?
How can we better support autistic adults experiencing stress and challenges?

Through hearing the perspectives and lived experiences of autistic adults, we hope to have a better understanding of resilience in the context of autistic adults and how to better support the autistic community.

Learning with OTARC

Facing Stress: Coping Strategies, Resilience and Mental Health Outcomes…

August 7, 2023August 8, 2023

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.

Studies Recruiting

Work strengths

August 7, 2023August 8, 2023

We want to know the ways people feel they are, and can be best supported as assets to organisations.

If you are aged 18 years or over, have been or are in the workforce, and especially if you identify as being on the autism-spectrum, we would like to hear from you!

Everyone is welcome to complete the 30-minute survey to help inform policies and practices to enhance workplace inclusion of everyone.

https://tinyurl.com/strengthsatwork

Access the survey

If you have any questions about this study, please contact us at:

susan.hayward@latrobe.edu.au or shennekam@audencia.com

Studies Recruiting

What do Australian Autistic adults experience when they see…

August 7, 2023August 8, 2023

What do Australian Autistic adults experience when they see a neurodiversity affirming psychologist?

If you live in Australia, are 18+, have either been diagnosed or identify as Autistic, and have had at least 1 appointment with a neurodiversity affirming psychologist in the past 2 years, we are keen to hear from you!

La Trobe University researchers invite you to complete a 45-minute online survey.

Please visit https://redcap.link/22azu39d for more details.

This is a photograph of Dr Melissa Gilbert

Contact Dr Melissa Gilbert m.gilbert@latrobe.edu.au with any questions.

Ethics approval HEC23182

Neurodiversity

What are ‘masking’ and ‘camouflaging’ in the context of…

August 1, 2023August 2, 2023

Many autistic people and ADHD-ers report using “masking” and “camouflaging” in their lives. This is where people conceal certain traits and replace them with neurotypical ones to avoid being recognised as neurominorities.

News

The story of Autism research in Australia: A conversation…

July 28, 2023August 2, 2023

Cheryl Dissanayake is a professor at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, and the Olga Tennison Endowed Chair in Autism Research at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Center. She has been researching autism since 1984. Spectrum spoke with her about her path to autism science, the history of the field in Australia, and the importance of Melbourne hosting the 2024 INSAR annual conference, which Dissanayake will chair. In this conversation, Dissanayake mentions Margot Prior, Bruce Tonge, Lawrence Bartak, Ross Day, Stella Crosley, Marian Sigman, Beryl McKenzie and Olga Tennison — all notable names from Australia’s autism research community.

Identification and diagnosis

How to talk to your child about their autism…

July 25, 2023August 2, 2023

With better awareness and acceptance, approximately one out of every 50 children is receiving an autism diagnosis. More and more families are deciding when to share this information with their child. Some parents worry that doing so will “label” their child, or make others treat them differently.

Studies Recruiting

Research Opportunity: When is picky too picky in toddler…

June 6, 2023August 2, 2023

Seeking health and childcare workers perspectives

Research at La Trobe University by Asmita Mudholkar has revealed that picky eating in children emerges early in life and can be associated with developmental concerns. We do not yet understand, however, how health and childcare practitioners working with young children and their families decide when picky eating is ‘too picky’ requiring specialised follow up. Please join us in a short focus group discussion with other health practitioners to discuss this issue and contribute to better understanding of early feeding difficulties to guide practice.

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