Why asking what causes autism is the wrong question
We need to stop playing the blame game.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Articles on Autism
Displaying 1 - 20 of 124 articles
New autism diagnosis guidelines miss the mark on how best to help children with developmental problems
There are several problems with the recently released guidelines for diagnosing autism. But the fundamental issue is that we're striving for diagnosis first, and help later.
Sexual desires of people with learning disabilities are taboo – it’s why we mishandle their pregnancies
Mia: Daughters of Fortune is a powerful new play that puts this issue under the spotlight.
Helping your student with disabilities prepare for the future
Numerous measures are in place to help young disabled children thrive, but the transition beyond school can be a difficult one. Here are some tips for families to help their children prepare for life beyond.
Australian Story: how exposing children with autism to risk can teach them resilience and life skills
James Best took his son Sam, who has autism, on a six-month journey to Africa. The lessons learnt may encourage a slightly riskier approach to parenting and education for some children with autism.
Antidepressants and pregnancy: study didn’t find they actually cause autism
A new paper published today has reported a small increase in the number of children born with autism from mothers who were using antidepressant medication while pregnant.
The women who don’t know they’re autistic
Autism manifests in different ways. The signs are often less visible in women than in men, leading many to be underdiagnosed.
Essays on health: microbes aren’t the enemy, they’re a big part of who we are
For most of the twentieth century, we were at war with microbes, leading to substantial changes in our body's ecosystem. This has changed our diets, disease profile, moods and even personalities.
Mental health services are failing young autistic people
A new survey of young autistic people highlights the difficulties they face in accessing mental health services.
Are autistic people at greater risk of being radicalised?
People suffering from autism could be far more vulnerable to falling under the spell of terror organisations on the look-out for new recruits.
Pauline Hanson is wrong – we need to include children with disability in regular classrooms
Evidence shows that the senator's comments on the burden of children with disability are misleading.
Research in autism-friendly technology needs to improve to make a real difference for people
There are plenty of apps that people with autism can use for learning, play and communication. Not all are designed with autism in mind, so what can we learn from any online user feedback?
Autistic people are three times more likely to have hallucinations
Brain chemicals could explain some of these experiences, but so could bullying and social isolation.
GPs urgently need training on autism
More than a third of GPs have had no training on autism.
How robots can help us embrace a more human view of disability
Improving the lives of people with autism through technology has benefits for us all and encourages society to take a more inclusive view of disability
Autistic people can hear more than most – which can be a strength and a challenge
A noisy environment can be hell for a person with autism. On the plus side, they are more likely to have perfect pitch than a non-autistic person.
How parents can help autistic children make sense of their world
People tell each other stories every day about the things they've seen and done. For many children with autism, this kind of personal narrative doesn't come easily. Here's how parents can help.
Friday essay: moving autism on TV beyond the genius stereotype
The introduction of a new Muppet on Sesame Street represents an encouraging cultural shift in the portrayal of characters with autism. But there is still a way to go.
Video feedback may help babies ‘at risk of autism’
Early intervention for children with autism just got earlier.
Testing times – what it’s like to sit an exam as an autistic child
Why a common sense approach is needed when it comes to autism and primary school tests.
Top contributors
-
Winthrop Professor, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia
-
Senior Research Fellow, and Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology, La Trobe University
-
Professor in Autism Education, UCL
-
Senior Teaching and Engagement Fellow, UCL
-
Associate Professor of Psychology, Deakin University
-
Honorary Research Fellow, Macquarie University
-
Senior lecturer, Macquarie University
-
Researcher in Enteric Neuroscience and Autism, University of Melbourne
-
Principal Research Fellow, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
-
Senior Lecturer, City, University of London
-
Associate Professor in the School of Early Childhood & Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology
-
Senior Lecturer in Autism, Sheffield Hallam University
-
Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Science, UCL
-
NHMRC ECR Fellow in Autism, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University
-
Lecturer, Center for Study of Human Health, Emory University
Most read on The Conversation
Tackling climate change could bring North and South Korea closer and help stabilise the region
Refugees in India have to fend for themselves – we’ve been talking to them about how they manage
The quest to revive extinct Aurochs to restore ancient lands
Revealed: the ancient genetic link between chimpanzees and bonobos
A close-up look at what happens when tourists and Maasai communities meet
The caste politics curse that India just can’t shake off
Forget sanctions, reining in North Korea will need a whole new approach
Design global, manufacture local: a new industrial revolution?
Is freelancing the future of employment?
