National Guideline review opens for community consultation

The National Guideline was first published in 2018, following approval by the National Health and Medical Research Council. This was the first national autism diagnostic practice guideline in Australia, and it has led to important changes in the way autism is understood, assessed, and diagnosed in the Australian community.

It is now time to update the Guideline and we are inviting all members of the autistic and autism communities to get involved. Have your say through the online survey or submit artwork instead of text responses.

Consultation closes 5pm AEST on Monday 5 December 2022.

Find out more

Autistic Identity and Connection Workshops opening soon

We’re excited to announce Autism CRC’s Sylvia Rodger Academy’s new Autistic Identity and Connection Program! Applications open on 1 December 2022.

Developed by and for autistic adults, this program is for those who would like to explore their autistic identity and connect with other autistic people and community. The program is open to autistic applicants in select areas of NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Check your eligibility and find out more from our website.

Find out more

AARC update

We were overwhelmed by the interest in AARC membership for 2023. Having received a record 200 expressions of interest, the AARC is working through all applications to finalise offers to the successful selected applicants. All successful applicants will be notified in time for them to commence membership from 1 January 2023. The AARC wishes to ensure all expressions of interest are given due consideration, which means that successful applicants might not find out by the previously advertised notification date of 5 December due to the volume of applications.

More about the AARC

National Autism Strategy

The coming year is one of major opportunity for many, with the development of a National Autism Strategy getting underway. Autism CRC is very pleased to be supporting the development of the Strategy, being engaged by the government to do so. As the work towards the Strategy commences, Autism CRC will be providing a picture of research and practice evidence and assisting the strategy co-design process.

Find out more

A young adult in a wheelchair using a communication device via a computer touch screen

New projects commissioned

Several new projects are underway, commissioned with Autism CRC’s new Member and Affiliate network. Two of the projects seek to deepen understanding of user-defined needs, one in education and the other for those with multiple and complex support and/or communication needs. Other projects will update and expand our range of evidence-based practice platforms and related capacity-building resources relating to assessment and diagnosis, early childhood supports, and inclusive education and employment.

Vale Michael Whelan

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Associate Professor Michael Whelan. Michael was an Autism CRC project leader, and a major contributor to our School Years program. Michael led the project that saw the development of inclusionED. Along with colleagues from QUT, Michael co-authored two Routledge books on inclusive education in 2021, which showcase the work of the Autism CRC’s school years projects.

At a recent celebration of Michael’s life at QUT, those gathered recounted stories of Michael’s rich life as husband, father, friend, colleague, musician, actor, academic and advocate. A common element of these stories was Michael’s gentle determination to share his passion and talents with others, often in distant or otherwise disadvantaged communities, so that they might have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their own strengths and talents.

The latest published outputs from Autism CRC

Reports

Publications

Resources

Trevor Clark retiring

Dr Trevor Clark will step down from Aspect and his role as National Director of the Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP) at the end of 2022. Recognising the importance of research in improving the lives of autistic people in meaningful ways, Trevor was instrumental in the expansion of the research team and the establishment of ARCAP. Trevor won an Autism CRC Research Award in 2021.

Trevor was an Autism CRC Project Leader and worked across several Autism CRC projects in the school and adulthood programs, including leading the Models of Practice research which informs the content of 17 practices on inclusionED.

Trevor has been a major contributor to Aspect over a 35 year career. We wish him a long and enjoyable retirement.

Congratulations

We were excited to see our own Professor Andrew Whitehouse recently nominated as a finalist for Western Australian of the Year. It’s great to see Andrew’s dedication and commitment to autism research and the autistic and autism communities being recognised in this way, not just in WA, but throughout Australia and internationally.

Congratulations also go to newly-elected Fellow of the Academy of The Social Sciences Australia, Professor Cheryl Dissanayake. Cheryl’s work in autism surveillance an early identification, includes leading Autism CRC’s project evaluation of the Social Attention and Communication Surveillance (SACS-R). Cheryl is Chair of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre at La Trobe University.

Established in 2013, Autism CRC is the world’s first national, cooperative research effort focused on autism. We are the independent national source of evidence for best practice in relation to autism across the lifespan and the spectrum.

Manage your contact details and communication preferences | Unsubscribe | Privacy information

Follow us

Contact us

+61 7 3377 0600

hello@autismcrc.com.au

If you would like to share something with our network, send us an email.