Skip to content
Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre
  • OTARC Website
  • Our Researchers
  • Studies Recruiting
  • Early autism detection app
  • Donate
A man is holding a remote control of a smart TV in his hand. In the background you can see the television screen with streaming entertainment apps for video on demand Autism perspectives

ABC’s new comedy Austin grapples with autism stereotypes –

with mixed success

ABC’s new comedy series Austin follows its 28-year-old namesake (played by autistic actor Michael Theo, from the reality dating series Love on the Spectrum), an autistic man connecting for the first time with his biological father, Julian (Ben Miller).

Julian is married with his own family in London, while Austin lives in Canberra. When they connect, Austin must navigate his complex role as an extramarital child, while Julian’s family must adapt to having a young autistic man in their lives – all while Julian, a prominent author, battles a public relations scandal.

Austin is a unique show in its depiction of autism and neurodiversity. Its first season differs drastically between its first and second halves: challenging both Austin’s family, and the audience, to confront, and then reconsider their assumptions about autistic people.

Read more “ABC’s new comedy Austin grapples with autism stereotypes –” →
Neurodiversity

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

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.

Read more “What are ‘masking’ and ‘camouflaging’ in the context of autism and ADHD?” →
Masking

Masking, Camouflaging & Compensating in Autism

Camouflaging, masking, blending in, compensating, impression management; we all do this to an extent. Imagine you’re invited to a work dinner with your colleagues. You get ready, thinking about what’s appropriate to wear, what to bring, and some topics to bring up (and avoid) if there are lulls in conversation. In Autism, the stakes are higher, and the task is more difficult. When social skills do not come intuitively, getting through this event requires cognitive effort, concentration and learning, a bit like doing complex algebra on the fly.

Read more “Masking, Camouflaging & Compensating in Autism” →

Topics

  • 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

Subscribe to OTARC's newsletter

* indicates required

Discover our latest news

Subscribe to our newsletter today
  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
© 2018 Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre
Theme by Colorlib Powered by WordPress
  • 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