Suicide Prevention in Autism report and policy brief
Following a 2021 conference, a select group of lived experience experts and researchers met to draw together content from the conference into a final report and policy brief.
Posted inNews
‘Autism research chose me’: OTARC’s Deputy Director Prof. Alison Lane
Four young women walking side by side on a sidewalk, engaged in conversation and enjoying each other's company
Posted inAutism perspectives Student
‘Being part of the final product’ – a student’s perspective on research
Josh is an Autistic undergraduate placement student and has offered valuable insights and perspectives to our research team resulting in a co-authored paper.
Posted inAutism perspectives Camouflaging 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.
Posted inAutism and gender News
Autism in Girls and Women
Autism in girls and women often presents differently than in males, with many girls masking their symptoms, leading to underdiagnosis and a need for more nuanced assessment approaches to uncover their unique experiences and support needs.
Posted inAutism perspectives Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity and Participatory Research in Autism
The article explores the growing recognition of neurodiversity, highlighting how Autistic activism and participatory research are shifting perspectives on autism, promoting inclusion, and advocating for societal changes to better support the Autistic and autism communities.
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
The inner voice
Explore how inner speech influences cognitive tasks in both Autistic and non-Autistic individuals, its role in memory and planning.
Using an eye tracker in Autism Research
How do Autistic individuals perceive and engage with the social world? This blog post explores groundbreaking research using eye-tracking technology and a conversation with a 12-year-old Autistic boy named Ludwig. Discover how autism influences social understanding and why simple interactions, like a guessing game, reveal deeper insights into the unique ways Autistic individuals process social information.
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.