Person using a laptop doing online checklist survey, filling out digital form checklist.
Posted inOTARC Seminar Series

Autism and self harm: Developing a better assessment tool

This talk contains content about self harm.

Victoria Newell will :

  • review the prevalence of suicidality in Autistic people and self-harm as a risk factor
  • review existing self-harm assessment tools in Autistic and general population adults
  • discuss preliminary findings to develop a self-harm assessment tool with and for Autistic adults using focus groups and cognitive interviews
  • discuss what’s next – exploring measurement properties using an online survey.
Australia’s rates of autism should be celebrated -but real-life impact, not diagnosis, should determine NDIS support
Posted inIdentification and diagnosis News

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?