autis - CHERI - The Children's Hospital Education Research Institute

Thursday
Presentations will be available on the CHERI website after the conference (www.cheri.com.au/presentations.html)
Autism - An Awesome Journey. Judy Brewer
After a while, it becomes almost impossible to remember what life was like before autism entered
and took over. Raising a child or children with an autism spectrum disorder can be all consuming,
and challenge many of your notions of family life and parenthood. In this opening address Judy will consider the
journey that families embark upon when a diagnosis of autism shakes their life. In sharing some of her family’s
own experiences of living with autism, Judy will consider the different stages and transitions in the journey from the
initial fears and confusion to the shock of diagnosis, and from early intervention, schooling, and through to the vital
teenage years.
Is it Autism: What, Why and How Dr Paul Hutchins
Many children have inappropriate and/or immature and/or inconsistent social interaction, comprehension,
expression, imagination and range of interests. Such complex communication disorders can occur with
language and speech disorders, global cognitive impairment and associated problems in organisation, executive
function and motor skills. Autism has additional specific intrinsic impairments of social empathy, generalising
learning and ritualistic behaviours. Associated developmental and medical disorders must be identified and
managed. Early, intensive and sustained interventions are effective. Diagnosis is essential for optimal intervention.
It is demanded by eligibility criteria for specialised services, particularly at school, and is promoted with current
Federal initiatives. Referral pathways and diagnostic approaches must optimise use of scarce resources. Time and
intervention clarify diagnosis within or other than the “autistic spectrum.”
Abstracts