Posted inNews
Early Signs of Autism
Interview with Dr Josephine Barbaro on ABC Radio National’s Life Matters program.
Positive Outcomes for Autistic Employees at DHHS
The Rise@DHHS project improved employment opportunities for Autistic individuals through tailored support, professional development, and an inclusive workplace culture. Read the final report.
Posted inFamily wellbeing Study summary
Parental stress and Autism
OTARC 2014 Phd graduate Rebecca McStay discusses family stress and Autism
Changing the Global Mindset on Autism and Employment
Specialisterne Denmark’s founder Thorkil Sonne gives a personal account of his journey
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
Posted inAutism supports News
New Autism research demonstrates positive impact of early suports
A new research study at the Victorian Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre (ASELCC) based at La Trobe University’s Children’s Centre, in collaboration with the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC), has been published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Imitation Difficulties Among Children with a Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Social Motivation or Motor-Execution Problem?
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.
Wellbeing in mothers after their child’s recent autism 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.
Posted inAutism and sleep Study summary
Investigating behavioural, gastrointestinal, sleep and diet
By OTARC Master of Clinical Psychology candidate, Stephanie Mertins and Emeritus 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.