Support Group for Parents of Young Adults with Autism
This recently formed group is for parents of young people with autism in their final year of school, or those having recently left school, up to age 25.
We meet for an hour once a month at Curtin University to discuss programmed topics centred around how to support our young people during the time of transition to adulthood. Sessions are on an alternating weekday (mostly Tuesday or Thursday) from 5 to 6 pm. Refreshments are provided.
We plan to have occasional guest speakers with knowledge in this area.
For questions, please feel free to email:
Tanya Picen or Bahareh Afsharnejad
Curtin Research Team Award
The Curtin Autism Research Group (CARG) has won the Curtin Research Group of the Year. The Award is given for “Recognition of a team that supports inclusive behaviours, fosters research performance, increases collaboration across Curtin and with external partners and has achieved an exceptional outcome”. Congratulations to all members of CARG for this wonderful achievement!
Personality study of adolescents with autism
People are different and this is due to their personality which is a combination of their temperament, characteristics, self-beliefs and the environment they have been living in. In the past few decades, researchers have mainly focused on adults’ personality, and its development in youth, especially autistic children and adolescents and how it affects their lives is unclear. We need your help to validate one of such measures for all Australian youth, especially those with autism spectrum disorder. If you are interested please email Eveline West.
Social group program autistic children
Sometimes experiencing difficulties in social interaction can lead to stress and mental health concerns, this is especially true for autistic youth. These effects can follow children throughout life, and perhaps that is why many of them do not want to go to school. Social skills programs held in a group setting has been helpful with boosting social and emotional skills of autistic youth. KONTAKT© is a one of those programs, developed in Germany and then tested in Sweden and has been really helpful for the autistic youth there We think it will help Australian you. If you are interested in this study, please complete the expression of interest form at https://www.autism.org.au/our-services/school-aged/school-therapy-groups/kontakt-kids/
Get exclusive access to a new manual for employers of autistic adults
Researchers of the Curtin University Research Group are offering employers of autistic adults a unique opportunity to use a new manual for employing autistic adults and then give feedback on it, so that the manual can be improved.
The manual, also known as the Integrated Employment Successful ToolTM (the IEST), has been designed to help them. After testing it Australia-wide with individuals working with autistic colleagues, the results showed that the manual helped to boost user confidence and communication skills.
Help make the IEST better
We are now reviewing the guide and would like to invite employers, managers, supervisors and mentors of autistic adults to use the IEST and provide us with feedback.
What you will find in the IEST:
- Recommendations for every stage of the employment process from job recruitment to the interview, work modification and ongoing support.
- Strategies for success, including how to create an awareness of autism in the workplace, how to identify the strengths of autistic employees and how to overcome potential challenges.
- Checklists covering things to consider, including modifications to make and providing support to autistic employees.
- Sample forms to ease the planning process. Included are a Support Plan, a Goal Planner, a Priority Planner and a Supervisor Workplace Handover form.
We will only ask you to:
- Consent to use the IEST in your organisation only.
- Consent to provide us with feedback on how the IEST can be improved and what would make it easier for you to use it.
For more information or to express your interest:
Please contact Tanya Picen at tanya.picen@curtin.edu.au
Postponement of Autism Open Day scheduled for Sunday 29 March 2020
Dear autism community
The Curtin Autism Research Group regrets to advise that we have decided to postpone our annual Autism Open Day in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of our keynote speakers, Professor Sven Bölte, is no longer able to travel from Stockholm to join us and we are also concerned that the event could pose a risk for members of our autism community who have health conditions that may make them more vulnerable to the effects of the virus.
We know how valued this event is by the autism community, so will keep you abreast of any plans to reschedule this event at a later date.
Thank you for your understanding.
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Event details
Date: Postponed
Strengths-based Policy Brief
Autistica in UK has released the strengths-based action briefing, a work in partnership with the Curtin Autism Research Group and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, explaining why both strengths and challenges should be looked at when assessing autistic people’s needs.
View Strengths-based Action Briefing
Autism workshop on 13th Nov, 4th and 11th Dec
Please see information regarding a professional development opportunity for anyone who works with autistic individuals of any age. This short course consists of a series of 3 workshops and an interactive excursion providing valuable information for teachers, health care professionals and social work professionals. You will also have an opportunity as part of the short course, if you wish, to design an educational/support plan for a particular individual which you are currently working with. Questions? Email cindy.smith1@curtin.edu.au for more information.
Autism in the workplace
Professor Sonya Girdler, from the Curtin Autism Research Group, spoke about employment for autistic people and how workplaces can best support them.
Policy brief on employment
The International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) policy brief on employment has now been endorsed and released. CARG led this work in Australia in partnership with researchers from the USA and Sweden.