A 2007 study found that 1 in 160 Australian children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The majority of these children will be educated in mainstream schools, so it’s likely there will be at least one child on the spectrum - and quite possibly more - attending your son or daughter’s school ... Autism Awareness, one of Australia’s leading autism education and advocacy organisations, decided it was time they did something to help. Using a $300,000 grant awarded to them by the former NSW government, they have produced a short film about autism, targeted at 8 to14 year old children. Read full article
What Are You Doing? is a short film, created by Autism Awareness, which aims to teach school aged children about acceptance and understanding of their peers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The film addresses some of the fears children may have about ASD, answers their questions and helps show them how they can be a great friend to a classmate on the autism spectrum. IThe film will be screened at primary schools across Australia later this year. View trailer. Read full article
Being a mother of a child with a special needs diagnosis tends to turn one into more of a Bear Mother than a Tiger Mother. The "Tiger Mum" tag, as outlined in Amy Chua's Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, is not unique to "Chinese parenting" although it may be most fully expressed there ...When my inner Tiger Mum starts to roar too loudly, both literally and psychologically, I can rely on my husband and children to let me know that I have crossed the line and need to put my inner Tiger Mum in lockdown mode. Read full article
Book: The Australian Autism Handbook by Benison O'Reilly and Seana Smith. This is an essential one-stop resource guide written specifically for Australian parents whose children have just been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The second part of the book is an invaluable Resource Guide which lists each state system plus a comprehensive list of websites and booklists. Read full article
In this interview with Dr Cheryl Dissanayake, founder and director
of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, there is valuable guidance on parenting a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr Dissanayake also discusses early intervention, parenting programs, giftedness and social and emotional development. Read full article
Julia Richardson's article helps parents find ways to help kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (and Asperger’s Syndrome) deal with the annual challenge of new teachers, new classrooms, new classmates and a new routine. Stress caused by change is a big challenge for children with ASD but there are things that parents and schools can do to help. Read full article
Justine Watson has dedicated her career to helping families deal with the particular challenges faced by kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She knows that the change of routine that comes with each new school year can be enormously stressful for the kids, and their parents. She also knows that parents can do something to make the experience less traumatic for the whole family. Read full article
