Autism

Autism, also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental condition affecting 1 in every 100 people within Australia.

Not every child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will rock back and forth, avoid eye contact or line its toys up in a structured row. Every child on the autism spectrum will present with different challenges, some more obvious than others.

If you or your child has been diagnosed with autism you may be able to receive Government funded assistance and support services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The articles below explain more about NDIS and how to access the Scheme.

Someone with autism may experience social communication issues and repetitive patterns of behaviour, generally these can be broken up into three levels of severity. Autism is a complex spectrum disorder that can cause social and behavioural problems. It is considered to be a spectrum disorder as it is experienced differently for each person.

Finding and maintaining paid employment is one of life’s greatest milestones. It can help you make new friends, develop and build on valuable life skills, contribute to the community and find a purpose. There are supports available to help people with autism through their employment journey

Starting school, whether primary or secondary can be daunting for any child but especially for children or young adults living with autism spectrum disorder. With lots of new changes, routines and people, your child may feel anxious and overwhelmed.

Every person with autism is different. There are many myths and stereotypes associated with autism and it's important to know what’s real and what isn’t. Here, we debunk some common myths about people with autism.

For the first two years of his life Harry seemed to meet all the necessary milestones. He was walking at nine months and walking at 10 months, however the milestone he never met was sleeping through the night.

By age two and a half his parents knew that something wasn’t right with his lack of sleep, lack of speech and increasingly challenging behaviour issues. In their search for answers the family continued to push doctors for checks and tests to help their young son, ultimately resulting in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Visiting the dentist can be a source of anxiety for many people, but for someone living with autism or sensory sensitivities, the experience can be particularly overwhelming.

There are a number of professionals who can help you work through the different challenges of an autism diagnosis. They can help you to understand and adapt to the condition and also give you the tools and support to gain a variety of skills such as communication or social interactions, manage sensory input and manage behaviours.

From getting help with early intervention, accessing respite care or learning important life skills, there is a wide range of support services available to help you if you are looking for assistance to manage day-to-day life with autism.

Here you’ll find a selection of information articles related to autism that have been published on Disability Support Guide to help you understand the condition or give further insight into getting the right supports.