SAAIF, along with partner organisations DHS and Scope, invites you to attend our inaugural Autism Conference that explores life “Beyond Early Intervention – A Journey into the Life Spectrum of ASD “.
This exciting event features world-renowned experts from the US and Australia and provides invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs experienced by those living and working with autism in our community.
The 2013 Australasian Human Development Association conference will be held from July 1 – 4 on the Gold Coast, QLD. This year the conference includes a full-day keynote–only symposium on Environmental Influences on Children’s Theory of Mind, featuring a line-up of international scholars. Additionally, there will be keynotes by Professor Alan Hayes (Australian Institute of Family Studies), Professor Bonnie Barber (Murdock University) and Professor Luca Surian (University of Trento, Italy) and an invited symposium on Indigenous Education led by Associate Professor Paul Whitinui (University of Otago, NZ).
This seminar will explore issues for girls and women on the autism spectrum and will cover current research evidence about assessment and diagnosis; overview formal interventions and outline strategies for schools. The focus will be on Emotional Resilience: understanding research and practical strategies to build resilience.
Inspiring Excellence in Autism
Highlighting and encouraging research, best practice, worthwhile support and effective self-advocacy in New Zealand.
9 – 10 JULY 2013
Kingsgate Hotel, 100 Garnett Ave, Te Rapa, Hamilton
Altogether Autism invites interested parties to submit their abstracts for consideration for inclusion in the 2013 conference Inspiring Excellence in Autism. See more on call for papers…
In October 2012, The Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) held a successful forum on the Changes to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to a full house.
The fifth edition of the DSM to be published in 2013, introduces significant changes to current diagnostic definitions of Autism and related conditions.
Many people are wondering:
Due to popular demand we will be holding a free webinar on this same topic. The DSM-5 webinar is open to all interested people, including professionals and families.
Date and Time: Wednesday, 13th February, 10.00AM to 11.30.00AM
On Wednesday 5th December, Macquarie University is hosting a free autism research day.
From 2pm until 6pm will be a workshop featuring short presentations from researchers from around Australia on the topic of “What is Autism?” The workshop will also feature a presentation from a young man with Asperger syndrome, and an open discussion of forthcoming changes to autism diagnostic criteria.
Then from 6pm, there will be a public lecture from Prof Kevin Pelphrey of Yale University entitled “Searching for autism in the social brain”.
Although the day’s events are free, registration is essential.
For details and registration, please follow this link.
If you are attending the ASfAR conference at Macquarie University on 6th and 7th December, please complete your registration as soon as possible.
Registration is free but you must be a member of ASfAR to attend. If you are not currently a member, please submit a membership application form at the same time as you register.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), to be published in 2013, is introducing significant changes to current diagnostic definitions of Autism and related conditions. In particular, with the introduction of the new diagnostic criteria, some of the diagnostic concepts that have influenced clinical practice, research studies, and cultural perceptions of Autism will no longer be used; most notably the concepts of ‘Asperger’s Disorder’, ‘Pervasive Developmental Disorders’ and the ‘triad of symptoms’.
The Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) is holding a free public forum to discuss these changes. The forum is open to all interested people, including professionals and families.
Date and time: 24 October from 5.30 to 7pm
Venue: La Trobe University, Bundoora.
For information and registration, please follow this link
The Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology is seeking talented students to undertake PhD studies in an exciting project beginning in 2013.
The project will be part of a large NHMRC funded Program Grant, Mental Health of Young People with Developmental Disabilities. This is a collaborative program of research across Monash University, the University of Sydney, and the University of Queensland. One of the core aims of this research program is to evaluate the effectiveness of a parent training intervention to address behaviour and emotional problems in children with developmental disabilities (Stepping Stone Triple P) across three states. A core requirement is a first class Honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology. Students will be expected to be eligible for an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or a Monash Graduate Scholarship (MGS). A top up of this scholarship will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
The Federal Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) requested ASFAR carry out an updated review of early intervention for ASD, based on the literature from 2006 to the present. It was an update of the earlier review of Roberts and Prior published in 2006.
Four representatives from ASFAR, Margot Prior, Jacqui Roberts, Sylvia Rodger, and Katrina Williams, formed the working party. They completed the review with the support of three part time Research Assistants.
The review can now be downloaded from the FaHCSIA website: PDF
In a second step Prior and Roberts wrote a revision of the ‘Guidelines for Best Practice’ Booklet. This will also appear on the FaHCSIA web site very shortly.
Prof Margot Prior
