The following content contains our latest efforts to enrich the lives of Autistic people, their families and their carers through high-quality scientific research, innovation and translation.
A message from La Trobe University Vice-chancellor Professor Theo Farrell
I am delighted to introduce the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) 2024 Impact Report, which highlights another year of significant research translation by a Centre that is deeply committed to contributing to improved wellbeing in the community.
OTARC delivers programs that directly support Autistic people and their families. It exemplifies the University’s mission to do world class research with real world impact. The Centre’s work is the primary reason that La Trobe was rated as Australia’s leading institution for research on Developmental Disabilities by The Australian Research Magazine for a fourth consecutive year in 2024.
During 2024, OTARC delivered a year of impressive projects to support identification and diagnosis, supports and practices for daily living, educational and vocational engagement, and health and wellbeing for Autistic people. This included establishing an Autistic PhD scholarship program supporting research that is addressing critical gaps in the current healthcare and education sectors, and implementation of inclusive hiring practices to attract more neurodivergent talent to work at the Centre.
OTARC researchers also contributed significantly to policy development in 2024. The Social Attention and Communication Surveillance (SACS) tool developed by OTARC, which is regarded as the most effective autism screening tool in the world, is being widely used across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond and is cited in several national clinical guidelines.
In 2024, the Centre expanded its work to regional Victoria. The Victorian Early Assessment Clinic managed by OTARC, which specialises in providing support for infants and toddlers with a high likelihood of autism, undertook its first regional assessment trip to Bendigo. OTARC also received funding from VicHealth to deliver a project providing fitness professionals with practical advice to improve the gym experience of young adults with disability.
I congratulate OTARC’s staff, supporters, and partners on their achievements during 2024. We all benefit from the Centre’s dedication to advancing research that enriches the lives of Autistic people, their families, and carers.
A message from Professor Alison Lane, OTARC Director
The Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre aspires to create knowledge to positively impact the lives of Autistic people and their families and carers. The 2024 OTARC Impact Report demonstrates the multiple pathways by which our research enriches Autistic lives.
We are committed to keeping the Autistic voice central to all we do. We engage in co-design and community consultation in research through our Autvisory Committee. Our research program areas: identification and diagnosis, supports and practices for daily living, educational and vocational engagement, and health and wellbeing, reflect the priorities of the Autistic and autism communities for knowledge generation.
We actively contribute to policy that directly impacts Autistic people and their families. In 2024, our researchers were members of the National Autism Strategy Oversight Council, the working group for the National Roadmap for Improving the Health and Mental Health of Autistic People, the Victorian State Autism Plan Advisory Group, and the Victorian Education Departments Autism Education Strategy Advisory Group. The Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre also made submissions to government inquiries that considered the prevalence, causes and impact of loneliness on Autistic people and Autistic women’s pain. Additionally, we prepared a policy brief for Suicide Prevention Australia to highlight Autistic people’s elevated risk of suicide.
Our researchers are actively involved in implementing and assessing the impact of evidence-based supports and strategies on Autistic people in the community. In 2024, our Victorian Early Assessment Clinic provided neurodiversity-affirming diagnostic care for 89 families of young children, setting them on the path for strengths-based approaches to support. We evaluated the effectiveness of autism awareness training for future psychologists in partnership with the La Trobe University Psychology Clinic. We also assessed an adaptation of FitSkills, an innovative peer-supported gym program for disabled people, in partnership with Down Syndrome Victoria.
Knowledge exchange is another impact pathway for our research. In May, we welcomed the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) annual meeting to Melbourne. The event brought together over 1,200 attendees from 20+ countries for four days of groundbreaking discussions and discoveries in autism research. Our researchers and students showcased their work through panels (8), oral (11), and poster (38) presentations, engaging with global delegates to exchange ideas and insights. In September, over 100 community members attended the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre’s annual community research showcase, which focussed on our early career researcher work. Attendees highly rated the event for its accessible format and community relevance. We also continue to expand our dissemination of research through traditional research outlets with a 30% increase in journal publications and 35 invited talks, including keynote presentations in 2024.
These are just some examples of the reach, significance and impact of our research in 2024.
Pathways to impact
To achieve impact, we utilise multiple pathways:
Advisory pathway
We are dedicated to improving the lives of Autistic people and their families by providing expert, community-driven, evidence-based advice. We actively engage in panels, committees, and strategic consultancy to maximise our impact. We amplify the voices of the Autism community by submitting comprehensive responses to public inquiries, ensuring our advisory efforts drive meaningful change in policies and practices.
OTARC Strategic Plan: Goal 1 – Conduct and lead the highest-quality multi-disciplinary research where we are a trusted source of evidence-based knowledge and practice.
In 2024, we provided expert, evidence-based recommendations for three public inquiries and a policy brief:
Additionally, we were honoured to host Parliamentary Secretary for Disability, Iwan Walters MP, at La Trobe University’s Bundoora campus for a tour of the Victorian Early Assessment Clinic (VEAC). Following the tour, a meeting with our leadership highlighted VEAC’s success, the importance of neurodiversity-affirming support for Autistic children and their families, and our future aspirations.
Recognition
Emeritus, La Trobe University, Professor Cheryl Dissanayake AM
Emeritus, La Trobe University, Professor Amanda Richdale
Developmental Disabilities Field Leader, The Australian, Professor Cheryl Dissanayake AM (Lead institution, La Trobe University)
Profiled by the American Psychological Association, Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro
Nancy Millis Medal, La Trobe University, Dr Gemma Davy
Inclusive research practice award, Autism CRC Awards for Achievement in Autism Research, E-QoL-ity: Enhancing the quality of life and wellbeing of young Autistic children, Dr Jac den Houting
Select panel and committee memberships
Paediatric Capability Framework Development, expert Advisory Group member, Occupational Therapy Australia, Professor Alison Lane
Australian Advisory Board on Autism, Director, Professor Alison Lane
Autism Education Strategy, Advisory committee member, Victorian Department of Education and Training, Professor Alison Lane
Victorian State Autism Plan, Advisory Group member, Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Professor Alison Lane
International Society for Autism Research Autistic Researchers Committee, member, Dr Melissa Gilbert
International Society for Autism Research Early Career Researchers Committee, co-chair andmember, Dr Ifrah Abdullahi
International Society for Autism Research Membership Committee, member, Dr Patrick Dwyer
International Society for Autism Research “Research Rapid Rounds”, senior expert,Emeritus Professors Cheryl Dissanayake AM and Amanda Richdale
Australasian Autism Research Council, member, Dr Patrick Dwyer
Scientific Advisory Committee, Mental Health Foundation Australia, Emeritus Professor Amanda Richdale
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders editorial board, Emeritus Professor Amanda Richdale
Autism Research editorial board, Emeritus Professor Amanda Richdale
National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health, council member, Professor Nora Shields
Australasian Society for Autism Research, Vice President (Jan-Dec), Acting President, President (Dec-), Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro
Australasian Society for Autism Research, executive committee member,Dr Patrick Dwyer
Oversight Council, National Autism Strategy,member,Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro
Diagnosis and Supports and Services Working group, National Autism Strategy,member,Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro
Frontiers in Neurology, associate editor Pediatric Neurology, Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro
Neurodiversity, editorial board, Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro, Dr Jac den Houting and Dr Patrick Dwyer
Research Executive, Elected Autistic representative, Australasian Society for Autism, Dr Patrick Dwyer
Leadership group, AIR-P Network ANSWER,Dr Patrick Dwyer
Health Roadmap Working Group, National Roadmap to Improve the Health and Mental Health of Autistic People, members, Associate Professor Darren Hedley and Dr Jac den Houting
Journal of Autism & Developmental Disabilities, editorial board, Associate Professor Darren Hedley
Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice, editorial board, Associate Professor Darren Hedley
Frontiers in Education: Special Educational Needs, Review editor, Associate Professor Darren Hedley
Autism in Adulthood, deputy editor,Associate Professor Darren Hedley; editorial board, Dr Patrick Dwyer
Advisory Group to the UK Government Suicide Prevention Strategy. Autism Centre for Excellence at Cambridge (ACE), UK Policy Working Group member, Associate Professor Darren Hedley
Mental Health and Adult Autism Project (MHAAP). Adult Mental Health Program, Monash Health, Steering Committee Member, Associate Professor Darren Hedley
Suicide Prevention Australia, 2024 Grant Assessment Committee Co-chair, Associate Professor Darren Hedley
Board of Directors, Australian Association of Psychologists Limited (AAPi), elected, Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro
Evaluation pathway
We are dedicated to enhancing the lives of Autistic people and their families through the highest quality research practices. Our impact is achieved through active engagement, extensive consultation with stakeholders, and thorough evaluations to ensure the effectiveness and relevance of initiatives to Autistic people and the Autism community.
OTARC Strategic Plan: Goal 1 – Conduct and lead the highest-quality multi-disciplinary research.
Autism awareness training for future psychologists
Dr Simon Bury and colleagues developed and piloted a new autism awareness training program, Working with Autistic Clients: A Brief Introductory Autism Awareness Training for Psychologists, to address critical gaps in mental health care for Autistic people. This program was created at the request of the La Trobe University Psychology Clinic. The program is grounded in neurodiversity-affirming principles and the social model of disability, challenging deficit-based perspectives and recognising that many difficulties Autistic people face stem from systemic barriers.
The training was delivered to 15 Clinical Psychology Masters students at La Trobe University in 2024 and was designed to improve their understanding of autism and enhance their ability to provide effective support to Autistic clients. The training consists of five modules covering:
- Understanding autism and Autistic experiences,
- Creating autism-friendly environments,
- Conducting psychological assessments,
- Developing treatment plans,
- Addressing challenges associated with autism.
Student outcomes
Six students provided feedback via a survey after completing the training. Their responses indicated:
- Increased confidence in working with Autistic clients,
- Clear and accessible content that provided a solid foundation for clinical practice,
- Strong appreciation for the program’s practical, compassionate approach.
“I enjoyed parts of the module that spoke about differences in how Autistic people might experience mental health e.g., anxiety and feeling things more deeply. Understanding things from the general perspective of Autistic individuals was helpful.” – participant
Funding: Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre
Down Syndrome Victoria Fitskills pilot
Young people with disability face significant barriers to participation in exercise, including a lack of inclusive programs and the need for social support. FitSkills is an inclusive community-based physical activity program designed to support young people with disability by addressing the need for social support.
In 2024, Professor Nora Shields and Dr Alesha Southby evaluated the Down Syndrome Victoria FitSkills pilot project. This pilot project was co-designed with a consumer advisory group to tailor FitSkills as a service offering by Down Syndrome Victoria., who subsequently offered two program formats:
- Individual: One participant was matched with one volunteer. The pair exercised at a gym at their chosen time.
- Group: Participants and volunteers were paired and exercised in a group setting at a set time each week. After each session, the group shared a meal at a nearby restaurant, fostering social connections.
Outcomes
The Down Syndrome Victoria FitSkills program successfully engaged participants and volunteers, improving fitness, strength and social connection. Participants joined for health and social benefits, while volunteers were motivated to support people with Down syndrome. The program’s group format, particularly the shared dinner, was highly valued for fostering independence and life skills despite some concerns about food choices.
FitSkills was well-received, with strong support from participants, families and the five gyms involved. Participants and volunteers expressed high satisfaction, with all stating they would join again, reinforcing the program’s impact on wellbeing and inclusion.
“You get to work out and work towards your own personalised fitness goals in a safe environment with someone there to support you, and I think equally as important, the group setting and dinner means you can build connections and friendships!” – Volunteer- when asked how DSV FitSkills might have benefitted the participant
Funding: Access for All Abilities grant, Victorian Government
Commercialisation pathway
This section highlights our growing commercialisation activities, including expanding our training programs locally and internationally and integrating research into real-world applications. Our commercialisation program is a core foundation of our research-to-practice principles, ensuring that our findings advance academic knowledge and directly benefit practitioners, educators, and the broader Autistic and autism community.
OTARC Strategic Plan: Goal 2 – translate research to practice by developing, delivering and evaluating evidence-informed practices and supports, training outstanding autism scholars and practitioners, and embedding research in services and the community.
Professional training programs
The Social Attention and Communication Surveillance (SACS) Assessment
The SACS method identifies a set of behaviours or ‘early signs’ that are characteristic of Autistic children from as young as 12 months old. Initially implemented in Victoria’s Maternal and Child Health services, more than 15 countries use the SACS method. In 2024, we trained more than 905 professionals and students. SACS training was delivered through group training sessions, reaching a diverse workforce across the Torres Strait and Cape York region, hundreds of professionals in New Zealand, all Tasmanian Maternal and Child Health Nurses, and large groups of specialists in Italy. Additionally, the training was completed by professionals from the Child Development Service in the ACT, Western NSW Local Health District, Perth Children’s Hospital, a South Australian community center, and many others through our online platforms.
Supporting a Neurodiverse Workforce
We designed this specialised workplace training to support the mental health and wellbeing of Autistic workers. It has up-to-date, evidence-based information and strategies about mental health and wellbeing. This training course aims to create workplace competency in mental health and Autism. Content is available for executives, supervisors, mentors, co-workers and Autistic employees. DXC Technology and ANZ Bank supported the program’s development in partnership with the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre.
Working with Autistic Clients: A Brief Introductory Autism Awareness Training for Psychologists
This training program was developed in response to a request from the La Trobe University Psychology Clinic and funded by the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre. The development was led by Research Fellow Dr Simon Bury and supported by Autistic professionals and research assistants. The program, grounded in neurodiversity-affirming practices, aims to bridge critical gaps in mental health care for Autistic people, empowering future psychologists to deliver affirming, effective support tailored to Autistic clients’ unique needs.
Outreach and media pathway
We recognise the importance of strategic outreach and media dissemination to generate impact for the Autistic and Autism communities. We use a diverse range of media channels to amplify our research. Our dedication to making a positive difference and fostering understanding in the broader public sphere aligns with our mission to create meaningful change through research-led solutions.
OTARC Strategic Plan: Goal 2 – translate research to practice by using all relevant forms of media to disseminate and increase the impact of our work in the community.
Communications channel performance
- OTARC website had >68,000 website views, up 54% from 2023
- published 9 Newsletters – We have 3,650 contacts, achieving an average open rate of 40%, almost 4% above the 2024 Mailchimp benchmark
- 15% increase in OTARC Blog visitors. We had >16,000 visitors to the site. Launched on a new platform in November
- 30 media stories, 3 interviews, and 30 mentions of our peer-reviewed papers in news articles. 2024 media list
- 6,675 total social media followers, up 17% from 2023. We posted a total of 360 times, reaching > 197,000 people and achieving a mean engagement of 8%. We had a 150% increase in Facebook visits in 2024.
- We launched our LinkedIn page – 432 followers (Dec 16th) and Bluesky account in late November @olgatennisonautism.bsky.social – > 200 followers in the first month.
Scholarships for Autistic scholars
We launched the inaugural OTARC PhD for Autistic Scholars in 2024. Both candidates will be commencing part-time; their work aims to address critical gaps in the current healthcare and education sectors.
Rebeka Carter
Topic: Investigating the experiences of Autistic students enrolled in pre-registration nursing programs
Supervised by Associate Professor Jennifer Spoor and Dr Melissa Gilbert
Supports and Practices research program area
Mel Giugni
Topic: Autistic adults’ experiences of diagnostic overshadowing in the context of physical health issues
Supervised by Dr Lauren Lawson and Dr Jac Den Houting
Identification and Diagnosis and Health and Wellbeing research program areas
Victorian early assessment clinic visits the regions
On October 9, the Victorian Early Assessment Clinic (VEAC) team embarked on their first regional trip to Bendigo. Over two days, our multidisciplinary team conducted cognitive, motor skills, and play-based assessments in a neurodiversity-affirming environment. The VEAC team also held an information-sharing session with the City of Greater Bendigo’s Maternal and Child Health team. Families expressed gratitude for accessing these vital services locally, sparing them long and stressful trips to Melbourne.
The Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing funds the ongoing operation of VEAC, including regional visits. With funding from Rotary Australia, two regional families were supported in the cost of their assessments. Practice Manager Kim Galletti highlighted the importance of empowering families with neurodiversity-affirming recommendations and referrals post-assessment.
Knowledge exchange pathway
We bridge the gap between scientific advancements and real-world applications through research outputs, co-authorships, cross sector events, and training initiatives. This section highlights our commitment to collaborative efforts, emphasising the diverse channels through which we share insights, foster understanding, and contribute to positive change within the Autistic and Autism communities and beyond.
OTARC Strategic Plan: Goal 3 – disseminate research findings in high-impact journals and, books, at Australian and international conferences, and community events. Additionally we engage with other disciplines via seminars, conferences, and hosting research scholars to further enrich our research and practice.
Student completions
Dr Gemma Davy (Pictured below)
Participation and Quality of Life in Caregivers of School-Aged Autistic Children
Supervised by Emeritus Professor Cheryl Dissanayake AM, Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro and Dr Katy Unwin. Awarded the Nancy Millis medal.
“[Thank you] to my incredible supervision team, for their unwavering support, patience, and encouragement over the course of my candidature. I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr Rachel Jellett for her guidance in planning this research topic during my first year.”
Dr Beth Radulski
#TakeTheMaskOff: Autistic Performativity and the Neurodiversity Movement
Supervised by Associate Professor Katie Wright (Department of Social Inquiry) and Emeritus Professor Cheryl Dissanayake AM
Dr Asmita Mudholkar
Feeding Difficulties in young children with a high likelihood of autism
Supervised by Professor Alison Lane.
Dr Georgia McKenzie
Understanding factors influencing participation in community gym settings for young adults with cerebral palsy
Supervised by Professor Nora Shields, Dr Claire Willis, and Dr Rachel Kennedy. One examiner commented:
“The candidate demonstrates mastery of the substantial and critical evidence/data to support this line of research including original contributions to the field. The candidate exhibits the necessary skills to conduct a rigorous critical appraisal of the relevant research evidence. She integrates, interprets and moves the field forward with the dissertation outcomes. The design of each study illustrates the ability to use sound methodological techniques to conduct the studies. The writing is clear, concise and reflects the tone and rigor of research in the field.”
Honours
Katrina Alford – Participation in physical activity among Autistic adolescents and young adults. Supervised by Professor Nora Shields and Dr Rachel Kennedy.
Erin Salmon (Sylvia Walton scholarship recipient) – Investigating the age, and way, in which an autism diagnosis is communicated to children and its effects on the child and family unit. Supervised by Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro and Dr Gemma Davy.
Muzna Dakani – The association between monotropism and sensory hyper- and hypo-sensitivity in Autistic adults. Supervised by Dr Patrick Dwyer and Dr Katy Unwin.
Lubna Faris – The associations between sensory experience, anxiety, and perceived control in Autistic adults. Supervised by Dr Patrick Dwyer and Dr Katy Unwin.
Dominic Phillips – The experience of stigma on language preferences of a neurodivergent cohort: the mediating role of social identity. Supervised by Dr Simon Bury and Dr Rebecca Flower.
Chantelle Millar – Disclosure of autism identity in the workplace. Does the timing and amount of information change employers perceptions of Autistic individuals? Supervised by Dr Simon Bury and Dr Rebecca Flower.
Hannah Chadwick – The relationships between sleep quality, fatigue and psychological flexibility/inflexibility. Supervised by Emeritus Professor Amanda Richdale and Dr Lauren Lawson.
OTARC Seminar series
<div style='padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;'><iframe src='https://vimeo.com/showcase/10973443/embed2' allow='fullscreen; clipboard-write;' frameborder='0' style='position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;'></iframe></div>Community and student events
Community events
*40 years in autism research – Professor Cheryl Dissanayake AM farewell
On June 28th, we celebrated the remarkable career of Professor Cheryl Dissanayake AM (pictured below), founding Director of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre and the inaugural Olga Tennison Endowed Chair of Autism Research. Over 100 colleagues and friends gathered to reflect on her incredible contributions to autism research and advocacy.
The event featured a seminar by Cheryl titled “40 Years in Autism Research,” where she shared her insights on the transformative changes in the field over four decades. Formal speeches followed, with heartfelt tributes from the Vice Chancellor, Provost, and Dean of Psychology and Public Health at La Trobe University.
Cheryl’s leadership and vision have left an indelible mark on the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre and the broader autism research community. Cheryl’s legacy will forever be a cornerstone of our work.
*Research showcase
Our annual research showcase brought together 100 attendees, including researchers, clinicians, government representatives, and Autistic people. Presentations explored topics such as Autistic students’ educational experiences, mental health strategies for parents, and sound intolerance in autism.
The event prioritised neuroinclusivity with adjusted lighting, communication stickers, and sensory-friendly breaks. Attendees praised the accessible environment, with one sharing:
“Seeing others use fidgets gave me the courage to not be self-conscious.”
*La Trobe University Pride 2024
We joined in on La Trobe University’s Pride Week festivities on 29th August to show our support and allyship with the LGBTQI+ community.
Associate Professor Jennifer Spoor and Dr Melissa Gilbert
*Understanding and supporting Autism diets
La Trobe University’s Albury-Wodonga campus hosted an engaging community event on supporting Autism diets, attracting around 60 attendees, including early childhood educators, allied health professionals, and parents of Autistic children.
The expert panel featured Dr Brittany St John, our Visiting Fulbright Scholar, local dietitian Gabby Hope, and behaviour support specialist Bec Hogea, with facilitation by OTARC Communications Manager Melinda Denham.
Discussions ranged from understanding nutritional deficiencies to navigating feeding challenges with health professionals and practical strategies for encouraging children to explore new foods. Dr Brittany St John shared valuable insights on how parents can interpret their child’s reactions during food exposure, exploring the different stages—from simply being near a new food to trying it.
The event offered participants actionable advice and fostered meaningful conversations about addressing dietary challenges in a supportive and inclusive way.
L-R: Brittany St John, Melinda Denham & Gabby Hope at the event in Albury-Wodonga.
*International Society for Autism Research (INSAR)
We welcomed the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) annual meeting to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time. The event brought together over 1,200 attendees from more than 20 countries for four days of groundbreaking discussions and discoveries in autism research.
From clinical, cognitive, and behavioural insights to neurological and social perspectives, the conference offered an impressive breadth of topics. Highlights included discussions on the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, supporting aging Autistic populations, and fostering sexual wellbeing in Autistic adults. The inclusion of a sensory break room offered a quiet reprieve for attendees, especially those with sensory sensitivities or misophonia.
Our researchers showcased their work through oral and poster presentations, engaging with global delegates to exchange ideas and insights.
“It was fantastic to see more research in areas that are a priority for Autistic adults, including issues around higher education. While there was more evidence of co-production and neuro-affirming language, there’s still a way to go in these areas,” said Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre PhD scholar Lyndel Kennedy.
The event was a testament to our commitment to shaping the future of autism research and ensuring that the voices of Autistic people remain at the heart of the conversation.
PSY3ASD Understanding and support for Autism
Dr Melissa Gilbert, an Autistic and ADHD Teaching and Research Fellow, coordinated the Autism specific subject offered by La Trobe University in semester two. This subject is available as an elective for undergraduate students across all courses at the university. Guest lectures were delivered by Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre lecturers – Dr Ifrah Abdullahi, Dr Daryll Archibald, Dr Simon Bury, Dr Jac den Houting, Dr Patrick Dwyer, Dr Melissa Gilbert, Dr Kelsey Philpott-Robinson, Dr Nancy Sadka, and Dr Nora Shields.
The subject includes scientific, applied, and lived experience perspectives to help students understand Autism. Students explore the changing views on Autism from its first proposed accounts to contemporary understanding. They learn about the early signs, core features, diagnostic tools, and various supports for different needs and life stages. The course highlights different presentations of Autism, Autistic people’s lived experiences, and the support needs of Autistic people and their families across the lifespan. Students also explore attitudes and perspectives on Autism locally within Victoria, Australia, and abroad, including community perspectives, media representation, and government policy. The course helps students develop essential skills for critically evaluating the wealth of information on Autism in the public domain. 38% of lectures were delivered by lecturers with lived experience of neurodivergence.
400 students completed the course, including Bundoora (214), online (166), and Bendigo (21). The students were from multiple degrees: Psychological science, health sciences, education, biological science, biomedical science, science, biomedicine, food and nutrition, teacher education, arts, commerce and health sciences, animal and veterinary bioscience, business, computer science, cybersecurity, languages and linguistics, and outdoor and sustainability education.
We received generally positive feedback from our students this year, with many praising the sessions as interesting, engaging, and highly informative. Our overall satisfaction score rose to an impressive 4.15/5, up from 4.05 in 2023
Traditional research outputs
- 73 peer-reviewed articles
- 82 conference presentations
- >35 Keynotes, invited talks and workshops
- 1.55 field weighted citation impact (where 1 is average)
- 1367 Almetric mentions.
*Metrics collected in February 2025 from Web of Science, SciVal and Altmetric.
Visitors
Dr Brittany St . John is an occupational therapist, a Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholar and Honorary fellow at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre in 2023, extended into 2024. Brittany has expertise in feeding challenges in Autistic children, including characterising the presentation of challenges and intervention development. Brittany is researching effective family-mediated interventions to support families with Autistic children in managing feeding challenges during daily life. In addition to undertaking research at OTARC, Brittany delivered a community talk in Albury-Wodonga.
Professor Brian Boyd is the William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and sits on the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre Advisory Committee. Brian is an expert in the fields of community-partners participatory research, implementation of evidence-based practices particularly in the early years, and health disparities and intersectionality in autism.
Victoria Newell is an ESRC-funded PhD scholar based at the University of Nottingham, supervised by Dr Sarah Cassidy (University of Nottingham) and Dr Caroline Richards (University of Birmingham). Their PhD research involves developing a self-harm assessment tool with and for Autistic people with and without mild co-occurring intellectual disability. Victoria delivered our May seminar – Autism and self-harm: developing a better assessment tool.
Public involvement pathway
Public involvement is integral to our commitment to enriching lives through high-quality scientific investigation, innovation, and translation. Actively engaging with the Autistic and Autism communities ensures that our high-quality scientific research is rigorous and reflects the needs, preferences, and experiences of the individuals we aim to support. We strive to create a research environment that is not only scientifically rigorous but also genuinely impactful and responsive to the diverse needs of the Autistic and Autism communities.
OTARC Strategic Plan: Goal 1 – conduct and lead the highest quality multi-disciplinary research by engaging Autistic people at every stage of our research.
Advisory Committee
Our Advisory Committee is a diverse group of 15 members including Autistic and autism community members, business leaders, peak body leaders, Autistic researchers, international research experts and La Trobe stakeholders who oversee our operation and hold us accountable to our strategic plan.
Autvisory Group
In 2023, we established the Autvisory Committee as a stakeholder reference group to meaningfully include Autistic people and their families in all stages of the research-to-practice lifecycle. The group comprises nine Autistic adults and is co-chaired by Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro and Perrin Date. The Autvisory Committee is working with the co-chairs to inform and guide an OTARC Participatory and Inclusive Research Framework, and provide expert lived-experience advice on strategic opportunities.
We have recruited Autvisors with consideration of communication and access needs, socioeconomic and educational background, disability, identity (including race, religion and culture), gender, age, body shape/size, and LGBTQIA+ membership to ensure that a diverse range of Autistic people are represented on the committee.
In 2024, we will be recruiting a larger pool of people, with assistance from Autvisors who have indicated an interest in co-designing research and who will be our Community Research Partners. We will contact Community Research Partners to work with OTARC staff and students on specific research projects to ensure all of our research has involved Autistic community members in its design and delivery.
Participant Registry
In 2024, we launched our Participant Registry. Its purpose is to create a substantial, secure, targeted, and sustainable database of potential research participants. This registry serves as a centralised resource for our researchers to connect with people interested in participating in research studies, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of participant recruitment processes.
E-QoL-ity: Enhancing the Quality of Life and Wellbeing of Young Autistic Children
This project received the 2024 Autism CRC Award for Achievement in Autism Research – Inclusive research practice award. One reviewer noted,
“This project goes beyond the usual consultative model to not only ensure that the research is guided by autistic people, but to centre and involve the voices of autistic children. The project team incorporates a number of universities, professional organisations, and community groups and principles of co-design are strongly embedded.”
The E-QoL-ity project is a multi-institutional research initiative led by Professor Dawn Adams (Griffith University) in partnership with Reframing Autism, Queensland Health, STEPS Group Australia, Giant Steps, University College London, La Trobe University’s Olga Tennison Research Centre (Dr Jac den Houting), and Macquarie University. The project was developed in response to priorities identified by the Autistic and autism communities—specifically, the need for evidence-based supports that focus on quality of life and wellbeing in early childhood. The research team included Autistic, neurodivergent, and neurotypical academics, as well as non-academic representatives from the project’s community partner organisations. Recognising that good Autistic quality of life may look different from typical expectations, the team interviewed Autistic adults, Autistic young people, and parents of Autistic children, investigating what a “good life” might look like for Autistic children.
These insights informed the creation of Bloom, a parent program designed to foster positive wellbeing outcomes.
A key feature of this participatory approach is the integration of Autistic perspectives at every stage. The Bloom program consists of eight weekly sessions, co-delivered by an allied health professional and an Autistic adult to ensure the integration of the Autistic perspective. Parents involved in the program provided feedback before, after, and three months post-completion to gain feedback on group format, delivery and content.
This research represents an essential shift towards community-driven solutions, moving beyond consultation to true collaboration.
Our impact stories
*our stories are updated regularly.
Supporting neurodivergent young people in the United Kingdom
Findings from the landmark Lancet Commission on Autism are shaping UK policy, providing evidence for more integrated and equitable support for neurodivergent children and young people.
Early autism identification in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Aotearoa’s largest rollout of the world-leading SACS tool is transforming early autism identification by training hundreds of professionals to deliver culturally responsive, life-changing support.
SACS inclusion in Australian policy and guidelines
The SACS tool, now embedded in major Australian health policies and guidelines, is transforming early autism identification and fostering faster access to vital support.
Informing clinical diagnostic guidelines in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Our research on developmental disabilities in migrant and Indigenous children has directly shaped New Zealand’s national FASD diagnostic guidelines.
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.
Transforming recruitment through neuroinclusive practices
We are transforming our recruitment practices by breaking down barriers that exclude Autistic and other neurodivergent talent. Our neuroinclusive approach creates a fairer, more supportive workplace.
Hope as a motivation for climate action
Hope, especially in the face of long odds, has been shown to drive meaningful support for climate action, shaping new policies that prioritise mental health and resilience.
Our research aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
