Health and wellbeing – Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre

Hands, therapist and talk to person for counseling session, medical advice and assessment notes. Patient, listen and psychologist with guidance, evaluation chat and information for recovery treatment

Building A More Confident, Neuro-affirming Practice

A stronger understanding of autism can enrich every psychologist’s practice. The Working With Autistic Clients (WWAC) course provides practical knowledge and skills to build your confidence and strengthen your clinical practice...

J M September 16, 2026

A smiling woman wearing glasses, colourful dangling earrings, a black top and jeans stands outdoors on a grassy lawn surrounded by eucalyptus trees and buildings.

Academic Autistic Adults Family wellbeing

Staff Spotlight: Dr Mel Heyworth

Dr Mel Heyworth has recently joined the Centre as Deputy Director (Community & Co-Design) of the Australian Autism Knowledge Hub. Her work is grounded in a strong interest in Autistic wellbeing and flourishing...

J M August 31, 2026

A stylised illustration of a presenter standing beside a projected slide titled “What do we know about autism?” during a classroom presentation at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University. The slide describes autism as a neurodevelopmental, lifelong and pervasive condition. Audience members are seated facing the presenter.

Educational and vocational engagement Family wellbeing News

Supporting Autistic parents at Woi-wurrung-yagila-wulumperi, Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre

Supporting families means recognising that every parent brings their own strengths, needs and ways of experiencing the world. For practitioners at Woi-wurrung-yagila-wulumperi, Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre (WEPC)...

J M August 20, 2026

Podcast thumbnail: two women on a blue background smiling at the camera. Text states - The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham and Autism insights with Prof dawn Adams

Educational and vocational engagement Health and wellbeing Learning with OTARC

Podcast: Autism insights & the invisible demands of school life

Professor Dawn Adams appeared on the 'School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham' podcast speaking about the invisible demands of school life.

Alex Haschek August 11, 2026

student standing on University lawn wearing sunglasses and a long block-patterned coat

Autism and gender Autistic Adults Employment

Bill Richdale Senior PhD Research Grant awarded to support neuroqueering workplace research

Myfan’s PhD project, Neuroqueering the Australian Workplace, will investigate how workplace cultures can better support Autistic and ADHD adults by centring lived experience, psychological safety and diverse ways of knowing.

J M June 30, 2026

Detail of yellow ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata) on a green leaf.

Autism and gender Autism, speech & language Autistic Adults

Reflecting on the Yellow Ladybugs Conference 2026: lived experience, neuroaffirming practice and inclusion

Staff and researchers from our Centre recently attended the Yellow Ladybugs Conference, a neuroinclusive event celebrating Autistic girls, women and gender-diverse people while bringing together researchers, professionals, educators, families and community members.

J M June 16, 2026

a strainer or net with a purple and blue ear below it

Autism and the senses Autistic Adults Neurodiversity

Understanding Sound Intolerance Through Neurodivergent Experience

For many Autistic and neurodivergent people, sound intolerance is not simply about volume. Experiences such as sensory overwhelm, hyperacusis, and misophonia can be shaped by attention, context, stress, predictability, and environment.

J M June 2, 2026

Stratford, UK, April 8, 2017: People are strolling next to the birth house of William Shakespeare in Stratford upon Avon, England

Educational and vocational engagement Family wellbeing Health and wellbeing

Expanding Our Early Autism Identification Training Across the UK

Read time 2 mins. The Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) have continued our long-standing collaboration with the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom to support early autism identification…

J M April 22, 2026

Autistic Adults Impact stories Mental Health

Evidence into action: A neuro-affirming Toolkit for suicide prevention

The span.toolkit provides healthcare professionals with neuro-affirming resources to better identify and support Autistic adults at risk of suicide.

Alex Haschek April 16, 2026

Two young people looking at each other in a gym setting, wearing grey workout clothing.

Autism supports Autistic Adults Health and wellbeing

“Have a go – you might surprise yourself”: Supporting Autistic young people at the gym

Researchers at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) explored how a community gym program called FitSkills, supported Autistic young people to feel confident, safe and included in gym settings.

J M March 16, 2026