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Autism in Australia Today
Every three years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) conducts the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC), with the most recent survey being conducted from July 2018 to March 2019. The findings were released in November 2019. The Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers has a number of aims.…
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Tackling Toilet training for children with autism
For children with autism, toilet training may require a range of strategies. Toileting is a daily living activity that can be challenging for children on the spectrum to learn and to become confident with, but there are a range of ways in which parents and carers can help children to…
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How to strengthen your family support network
For children with autism and their families, creating and maintaining a support network can be invaluable. There are many professionals, groups and organisations who provide different levels of support services to the families of people with autism. The services you are able to access may depend on factors like age…
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Strategies for managing children who wander
Wandering or absconding is a behaviour of concern that some children on the spectrum may engage in; however, the reasons why this behaviour occurs, and when it is likely to happen, can vary significantly. This means that in order to reduce the occurrences of wandering and the potential for a…
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How to develop self confidence in children on the autism spectrum
Autism will likely impact on the way in which children see and interact with the world around them. However, it is important to remember that autism is experienced by different people in different ways, and while there are some traits that many children on the spectrum will share, each child’s…
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How to teach personal space and boundaries
Children with autism can sometimes have difficulty understanding the concepts of physical space and personal boundaries, both as it relates to them and to other people. It is nevertheless important that children on the spectrum understand and feel comfortable about their own bodies. Likewise, it is beneficial if they have…
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Activities and tips for enhancing a child’s attention
Children with autism can have difficulties in focussing their attention on the people or activities around them. It might be, for instance, that they display limited interest in engaging with members of the family and other people, or only interact with others in order to have their needs met. They…
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What can I do if I think a child is on the spectrum?
Every child on the spectrum is different, and therefore the signs and characteristics of autism can vary considerably. A variety of factors contribute to this, including age, gender and cognitive ability. This can make it challenging for someone who thinks that a child might be on the spectrum, but is…
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Providing support for siblings who are not on the spectrum
Autism not only impacts an individual but also on those around the individual including siblings. While there are benefits to siblings in having a brother or sister on the spectrum, it can present challenges for the siblings of children with autism who are not on the spectrum themselves. For instance,…
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Games and activities to develop play skills
Social interaction is not only about engaging with other people, but also encompasses knowing how people are generally expected to (re)act in particular situations. There are a number of processes involved in any form of social interaction, including being able to note social cues, interpreting what is taking place, problem…