What a year! So many NDIS updates, a National Autism strategy consultation, an ADHD Senate enquiry and so much more! So, what better way to end the year than with the LOTS annual Christmas gift guide! 56 gift ideas for the whole family. Shop Shop Shop Shop Shop Shop Living on the Spectrum Nee-Doh – Squishmas Groovy Get ready to add some squishy holiday spirit to your celebrations with the Squishmas Groovy Tree! This festive tree-shaped packaging comes filled with 15 mini globs in assorted colours, making it the perfect addition to your holiday fun.  $29.95 Available at s ..read more

Recent changes in the 2022 Assessing Fitness to Drive (AFTD) standards have brought uncertainty for thousands of autistic drivers in Australia. These adjustments, quietly introduced, mark the first-time autism is explicitly addressed in the standards, emphasising individual assessments. A recent ABC News article has shed light on these changes. Prompting discussions about their potential impact on autistic drivers across the nation. Legal Limbo for Autistic Drivers The AFTD standards now state that “a practical driver assessment may be required” raising concerns about discrimination and added ..read more

A good night’s rest isn’t guaranteed for anyone, but it is downright elusive for many people with autism. Individuals on the spectrum often have trouble falling and staying asleep. And that may worsen certain features of their condition, such as repetitive behaviors, which can, in turn, make sleeping even more difficult. Given this disruptive feedback loop, sleep problems are among the most urgent concerns for families grappling with autism. But so far, this also happens to be among the least-studied aspects of autism. Here’s what researchers know so far about the causes and consequences of ..read more

Christmas is approaching, and major retailers are eager to create that festive atmosphere. Nevertheless, now is the perfect moment to take charge and prepare by arranging those Fidget and sensory advent calendars for your sensory seekers. There’s an exciting array of options for your neurodivergent children and adults that they will surely enjoy. We’ve done the research and provided our top 10 selections for 2023. Enjoy your shopping! 10. Thomas and Friends Mini Advent We started off with a no brainer with the Thomas and Friends mini advent calendar. Hands up if you love trains!! Of course, y ..read more

Cliff Booth/Pexels Fleur Sharafizad, Edith Cowan University; Esme Franken, Edith Cowan University, and Uma Jogulu, Edith Cowan University An informal personal carer is someone who looks after a family member, neighbour or friend in need of care due to disability, illness or age. In Australia, there are approximately 2.8 million informal personal carers, including 906,000 who are primary carers. Projections suggest the national demand for carers will rise 23% by 2030. Around one in ten Australians are informal carers: most of these unpaid. This group of people support one of society’s most fou ..read more

Jess Owens @thewyrdsisters If you’re autistic, there are a million reasons why looking after a baby can be hellish. The noise, the smells, the constant interruptions, the endless stream of visitors… the list goes on. The usual advice rarely works the same for an autistic parent as it does for a neurotypical parent (God forbid someone else should attempt to load my dishwasher), so for many of us, learning to cope is simply a matter of trial and error. The early days When my daughter was born, life as I knew it was turned upside down. The days were an onslaught of clutter and sensory ..read more

Parenting is a beautiful journey, but it comes with unique challenges and rewards when your child is on the autism spectrum. Therefore, as a parent of an autistic child, there are several things I want you to understand about my child and the wonderful, yet sometimes challenging world of autism. Visit the National Autism Directory 1. Autism is a Spectrum, not a Monolith. The first thing I want you to know is that autism is a spectrum. Just as no two neurotypical individuals are exactly alike, no two autistic individuals are the same either. Autism can manifest in a wide range of behaviours, co ..read more

Being neurodivergent has always been a significant part of my identity. But it wasn’t until my current bout of laryngitis silenced my voice that I truly began to appreciate the challenges faced by non-verbal and non-speaking autistics who navigate a world that often misunderstands and excludes them. Visit the directory. When Words Fail As a neurodivergent individual, the world has never been a completely comfortable place for me. However, my recent struggle with laryngitis took me to a whole new level of appreciation for those who navigate a life of non-verbal communication on a daily basis. I ..read more

Trevor Mazzucchelli, Curtin University; Bruce Tonge, Monash University; Kirsten Baird-Bate, Queensland University of Technology, and Sharon Dawe, Griffith University The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has seen increasing numbers of children with developmental delay or disability receive support within clinical settings. It’s also seen reduced support in other settings, including home and school. Bruce Bonyhady, often referred to as the father of the NDIS, and who has two sons with a disability, is co-chair of the review underway into the scheme. He said recently: The overwhelmin ..read more

Recently, an article published on ABC News reported on the abusive practices, based on ABA therapy used in an autism therapy. The program is funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Victoria, Australia. Shockingly, the abusive practices where exposed by an exclusive Four Corners investigation. Visit the free National Autism Directory The news article and Four Corners Program both shed light on the alarming use of unlawful restraint and seclusion techniques on autistic children and children with intellectual disabilities. These practices, which have come under scrutiny, are ..read more