Autism MQ

14/09/2023

Have your say!

The National Autism Strategy is conducting events around Australia to capture the views of Autistic people as well as community stakeholders (professionals and families).

These sessions are run by Autistic facilitators. If you'd like to attend a session, you can register for a session at this link https://engage.dss.gov.au/developing-the-national-autism-strategy/developing-the-national-autism-strategy-register-for-community-events/

For those who prefer to contribute in other ways, information can be found here https://engage.dss.gov.au/developing-the-national-autism-strategy/

04/04/2023

New Perspective article by AutismMQ researcher Dr. Diana Tan!

In this Perspective piece, Diana challenged several recent claims regarding early-career researchers (ECRs) changing their research directions due to criticisms from the autistic and autism communities. These shifts were often described by autism researchers with a pessimistic tone. In this article, Diana shared her own experiences of receiving public scrutiny on her early work and how she responded to these criticisms. These feedback from the communities made her re-think the purpose and value of her early research and whether it was truly benefitting the communities the way she thought it would.

She ultimately changed her research focus from identifying autism biomarkers to focussing on participatory approach and autism stigma. According to Diana, it was the best decision she has made for her career even though it was difficult to start from scratch after spending nearly a decade on her biomarker work.

Diana offered two recommendations to ECRs who might be feeling uncomfortable with the ongoing tensions within the communities: 1) reflect on this discomfort, and 2) take actions to really listen to - and work with - the autism and autistic communities.

She urged all autism researchers - especially non-autistic researchers - to take personal responsibility in building trust with the autistic and autism communities.

She stressed that "researchers cannot underestimate the value of trust and what it takes to get there".

Link to article (free access until 12 April):

Early-career researchers (ECRs) are among the most creative, talented, and energetic researchers, and they play an important role in knowledge production and pushing scientific boundaries. Recent debates have implied that many early-career autism researchers are compelled to shift their areas of foc...

03/04/2023

The recording of the Actually Autistic panel from the All About Women festival - featuring our own Dr. Jac den Houting alongside Grace Tame, Chloe Hayden and panel facilitator Dr. Amy Thunig is now available for free for a limited time.

From Sydney Opera House:

"In honour of World Autism Awareness Day (2 April), we’re making All About Women: Actually Autistic available to everyone to watch free online on Stream until 9 April.

In a world where we often hear about autistic people, this panel places autistic people at the centre of the conversation to share about their own lives, on their own terms.

Hear Chloe Hayden, Grace Tame and Dr Jac den Houting talk about what it’s actually like to be autistic."

If you'd like to watch it please click the link below:

https://stream.sydneyoperahouse.com/videos/actually-autistic-all-about-women-2023?fbclid=IwAR0YSFbOE0C-5Pgs_e_-L7BlHIXAnbFMx6MVJrvMdPHsT0qrQxpc_98xmi0

Chloe Hayden, Grace Tame & Jac den Houting Curated and moderated by Amy Thunig Nearly 80% of autistic women are mis- or un-diagnosed - but every day we're learning more about this disability. Join our panellists to hear what it's actually like to be autistic. We live in a society that is only j...

24/03/2023

Last week a couple of us attended the It Takes All Kinds of Minds neurodiversity conference in Edinburgh.

Highlights included - just getting to go to an in person conference again, Autistic author Holly Smale's keynote on masking and readily available pronoun pins and sensory tools.

Dr. Rebecca Poulsen remotely presented on how auditory processing contributes to the Autistic profile (with cat themed slides) and Tori Haar presented a poster on what people think about autism research.

Highlights of the conference can be found like looking at the tag on twitter.

02/03/2023

Last Saturday some of our Autism MQ team members marched with the Neurodiversity Rainbow float organised by Aspect as part of the Mardi Gras Parade & Sydney World Pride.

It was great to be back on Oxford Street with quite a few other disability related floats, and Macquarie Uni being part of the parade for the first time.

14/02/2023

Jac den Houting is quoted in this ABC article about late diagnosis of Autistic adults, identity and how perceptions of autism can become more positive by ABC regional storyteller scholarship recipient Jessica Horner who is also Autistic.

The article which features the perspectives of a number of Autistic adults Jessica spoke to can be found at this link - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-06/autistic-adult-autism-diagnosis-identity-stereotypes-myths/101678172

In addition to the article Jessica was also interviewed about the process of writing it. You can listen to the interview at this link - https://www.abc.net.au/riverina/programs/breakfast/jessica-horner-odyssey-interview/101935960

Image source: ABC / Jessica Horner

Image description: A woman with long brown hair holding a large DSLR camera taking a photo of a rose garden. The photo is taken from behind the woman so you cannot see her face.

ABC Regional Storyteller scholar Jessica Horner delves into the topic in her written piece, 'A rich new lens'.

24/01/2023

“Although I present a tough exterior, my brain is always working overtime.” - Grace Tame

Our own Dr. Jac den Houting is one of the panellists on the Actually Autistic panel at the Sydney Opera House for the All About Women festival on Sunday March 12 from 3-4pm AEDT.

The panel also includes Grace Tame (2021 Australian of the Year) and Chloe Hayden (Heartbreak High) and is being moderated by Dr. Amy Thunig (another post-doctoral researcher in the Macquarie School of Education and all round amazing human).

The event description is as follows:

"We live in a society that is only just beginning to recognise neurodivergence in women and non-binary people. So how does it feel to be misdiagnosed for years? Does greater public awareness lead to acceptance and inclusion when it comes to socialising? What are some strategies to cope with ableist systems? And what stereotypes do we really need to put in the bin?

In a world where we often hear about autistic people, this panel of actually autistic high achievers tells us about their own lives, on their own terms. They'll be sharing about navigating social scenes and professional settings, and what masking and mimicry mean. This will be an essential session exploring how everyone can be part of a world that is inclusive, accessible and full of support."

Both in person tickets ($33 plus $8.50 booking fee) and live stream tickets ($15) are available. The session is also one of the ten sessions included in the $65 live stream festival pass.

You can find out more about the event and purchase tickets through the Sydney Opera House Website - sydneyoperahouse.com/events/whats-on/all-about-women/2023/actually-autistic.html

Image source; All About Women Festival (alt text has been added to the image)

17/01/2023

Next month Prof. Liz Pellicano (UCL & Autism MQ) will be one of the speakers at Reframing Autism's annual conference which this year is themed around "Innovations in Autism Education: Neuroinclusive, neuroaffirming schooling"

Liz will be presenting on a talk entitled "Care, community and connectedness: The importance of relationships in the education of Autistic children and young people"

The conference will be held online on the 23rd and 24th of February, and registration includes access to the recordings for 30 days after the conference. Reduced rates are available for Autistic people, parents and students.

For more information on the conference please see the conference webpage - https://gems.eventsair.com/2023-reframing-autism/

Image description: A bright rainbow brain image on a light background. Below the brain are the words Reframing Autism 2023 Conference in bold dark blue letter. There is a colourful arrow curving from the brain down to the words "Innovations in Autism Education: Neuroinclusive and neuroaffirming schooling" in purple followed by the dates of the conference 23 & 24 February 2023 online. In the bottom left is the Reframing Autism colourful knotwork logo.

Image source: Reframing Autism

23/12/2022

Wishing everyone a peaceful end of year, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. May you have enjoyable things to do and may any social obligations you have go smoothly.

Macquarie Uni will be closed from this afternoon until Tuesday January 3rd. In the mean time please enjoy this short clip of Engagement Officer Tori's white snowshoe cat Minnie enjoying their Christmas tree.

19/12/2022

Last week Autism MQ post-doc Dr. Hannah Rapaport was finally able to attend an in person graduation for her PhD.

Massive congratulations to Hannah who's PhD project involved used a brain recording technique called ‘MagnetoEncephaloGraphy' (MEG) to investigate the neural mechanisms (brain systems, processes and pathways) underpinning predictive brain function (how our brains make predictions about what's going to happen) in Autistic and non-autistic preschool children.

Image source: Hannah Rapaport

Image description: Dr Hannah Rapaport a woman with long dark hair wearing a black graduation cap and red and black graduation robes. She is holding her PhD testamur (certificate) and a large bunch of orange and yellow flowers. She is standing in a grassy area with trees in the background.

14/12/2022

Our survey on the auditory experiences of Autistic adults is closing at the end of December.

If you've been thinking about it or have just seen this and are interested Bec would love you to complete the survey.

New survey alert.

Autistic adults needed for a survey about auditory experience.

Autism MQ Post Doc Dr. Bec Poulsen’s study looks at the Autistic experience of everyday sounds.

The survey is Autistic-led and has been compiled in collaboration with an advisory committee.

You can read more details in the flyer or alt text below and access the survey at this link -
https://redcap.link/autismauditory1

Alt text:
Image shows a recruitment flyer for a study. Autistic Adults Needed for an international research study on auditory experience.

Research shows that many Autistic people are sensitive to sound and this can impact our lives in good and bad ways. This Autistic-led research is interested in knowing about how you experience sounds in everyday life.

We want your input. What do I have to do? Complete an online survey. The survey includes tick-box questions and listening with headphones. It will take 25-45 minutes and can be completed in multiple sittings

Take the survey – Follow this link https://redcap.link/autismauditory1

To contact the research team for questions or to find out more including accessibility options email Dr. Bec Poulsen [email protected]