Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre

10/09/2026

The Australian Government has announced the introduction of a new commissioned NDIS support coordination and connection service from 1 July 2028.

The government are seeking your feedback on the proposed design of a new NDIS support coordination and connection service.

They’re seeking feedback on:

- what the service should do
- quality and safeguarding arrangements
- how services could be delivered
- supporting NDIS participants to understand, access and coordinate their supports.

People with disability, their families, carers and kin, advocates, providers and the broader disability community are encouraged to take part.

Provide feedback: https://consultations.health.gov.au/disability-and-carers-group/ndis-reforms/

Consultations close 2nd October 2026.

09/09/2026

Some people communicate through spoken words. Others use AAC, writing, typing, a spelling board, signs, or a combination of these.

Some people may communicate in ways that aren’t immediately obvious to those around them.

💡 A difference in communication does not mean a difference in thoughts, intelligence, feelings, ideas, knowledge or things to share.

We must never assume that someone has less to say simply because they communicate differently.

Listen differently and presume competence, always. 🫶



[ID: Against a magenta background, with the Reframing Autism logo at the top and the colourful knotwork in the lower right background, white text reads, 'The way someone communicates does not determine how much they have to say'. Beneath the text is an image of a young person seated on a sofa, typing on a tablet].

02/09/2026

For our annual Research Showcase tomorrow, Dr Patrick Dwyer will present on - Monotropism: Understanding Autistic Minds.

Unlike most autism theories, the monotropism account was developed by Autistic people and informed by Autistic insights. Essentially, it suggests that many or most Autistic people have a tendency to focus intensely on a narrow range of interests. Patrick will discuss new research about monotropism in autism, as well as similar forms of attention beyond autism.

Read our staff profile on Patrick or view their seminar here: https://otarc.blogs.latrobe.edu.au/dr-patrick-dwyer-otarc-research-fellow/

It's not too late to register for our free annual Research Showcase, starting tomorrow at 1pm AEST! Registrations are open here: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-otarc-research-showcase



[Image description: Graphic titled “Meet Dr Patrick Dwyer”. It features a large circular portrait of Dr Patrick Dwyer, a person with short dark hair wearing a burgundy shirt, standing outdoors against a blurred green background. The portrait is surrounded by a pink, cream and teal circular border. La Trobe University and the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre logos appear along the bottom, alongside the text “insight and impact 2026”.]

31/08/2026

We’re excited to welcome Dr Mel Heyworth as a recent addition to the speaker line-up for this Thursday’s Research Showcase!

Mel recently joined us as Deputy Director (Community & Co-Design) of the Australian Autism Knowledge Hub, bringing her expertise in research, advocacy and community engagement to the role.

At Thursday’s Research Showcase, Mel will join Professor Dawn Adams to discuss the Australian Autism Knowledge Hub and its focus on connecting research with the knowledge, priorities and experiences of the communities it aims to serve.

For Mel, that includes a strong focus on Autistic wellbeing and flourishing, and ensuring the expertise and lived experiences of Autistic people are genuinely valued in research.

In her words: “I want to better understand what Autistic flourishing might look like, and how we can foster such flourishing across the lifespan.”

We're looking forward to hearing more about this work on Thursday!

Read our recent staff profile on Mel here: https://otarc.blogs.latrobe.edu.au/spotlight-dr-mel-heyworth/

Register for our free online Research Showcase here: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-otarc-research-showcase



[Image description: Promotional graphic featuring Dr Mel Heyworth for the OTARC Research Showcase, Insight and Impact 2026. The graphic features a large circular photograph of Mel smiling outdoors, wearing glasses, a dark jacket and colourful earrings. Text at the top reads “Meet Dr Mel Heyworth”. La Trobe University and Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre logos appear along the bottom, alongside the Insight and Impact 2026 event branding.]

26/08/2026

📌 One week to go! 📌

It's not too late to register for our annual research showcase.

This year's showcase will take place online, enabling participation from people who have previously faced barriers to attending in person.

“By taking the Research Showcase online, we’re opening the conversation to more people – whether they’re joining us from metropolitan Melbourne, one of La Trobe’s regional campuses or elsewhere in Australia. We want everyone with an interest in autism research and practice to have the opportunity to be part of these important conversations,” - Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre Director, Professor Alison Lane.

Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-otarc-research-showcase

We hope to see you on the day!



[Image: Promotional graphic for the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre Research Showcase, titled “insight and impact 2026.” The image shows a diverse group of people gathered around a researcher presenting information on a display board. One person is accompanied by a guide dog. The background transitions from pale blue-green to pale pink. At the bottom are the La Trobe University and Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre logos.]

25/08/2026

Every parent of an Autistic child knows the heartbreaking feeling of seeing their child left out or excluded.

Whilst it might be tempting to try to help your child 'fit in', the goal isn’t to help your child become someone else in order to be included. It’s to help them find people who value them exactly as they are.

💫 People who appreciate their way of communicating.
💫 People who happily make space for their needs.
💫 People who understand that differences are something to value.
💫 People who make them feel like they belong, without having to change.

Everyone deserves friendships where they don’t have to shrink, mask or change themselves to be welcomed and celebrated. 🫶



[ID: Against an aqua background, with the Reframing Autism logo at the top and the colourful knotwork in the lower left corner, white text reads, 'The goal isn’t to help your child fit in. It’s to help them find people who value them exactly as they are'. Beneath the text is an image of a child sitting alone with a sad expression on her face, while two other children in the background exclude her].

20/08/2026

"The early years of parenting can at times be quite stressful and overwhelming for all parents, but with added complexity for Autistic parents. It's really encouraging that professionals like those at the early parenting Centre are proactively seeking ways they can better support Autistic parents," Dr Melissa Gilbert presenting at the Woi-wurrung-yagila-wulumperi, Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre.

Read more on our blog: https://otarc.blogs.latrobe.edu.au/supporting-autistic-parents-at-woi-wurrung-yagila-wulumperi-whittlesea-early-parenting-centre/



[Image description: The image shows a community education session supporting Autistic parents at the Woi-wurrung-yagila-wulumperi Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre. A presenter stands beside a projected slide titled “What do we know about autism?” while a group of adults listens from the audience. The slide explains autism as a neurodevelopmental, lifelong, and pervasive condition, noting that it is present early in life and can affect many areas of a person’s life. La Trobe University and the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre logos are displayed, highlighting their involvement in the session.]

18/08/2026

"Research, professional training and technical knowledge continue to sit at the top of institutional hierarchies. Lived experience may be listened to, but it is rarely granted the same level of authority..."

Read more on our blog: https://otarc.blogs.latrobe.edu.au/lived-experience-is-often-dismissed-but-we-should-recognise-it-as-a-form-of-expertise/

This article is republished from The Conversation Australia + NZ under a Creative Commons license. Authored by Snita Ahir-Knight, University of Otago and Hazel Godfrey, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington.

17/08/2026

👏👏👏

13/08/2026

We agree with International Society for Autism Research, INSAR - there is absolutely no credible evidence that vaccines cause autism.

INSAR strongly opposes claims or suggestions that childhood vaccination is linked to autism.

Decades of rigorous scientific research involving children across the globe have consistently found no credible evidence that vaccines cause autism.

As an international scientific organization devoted to advancing knowledge about autism, INSAR remains committed to rigorous, transparent, and reproducible scientific evidence and to ensuring that public discussion and policy concerning autism accurately reflect the best available science.

Read the full statement: https://www.autism-insar.org/page/INSAR_public_statements