Innovation in practice
News 24 JulyA message from Executive Dean of Health Sciences Professor Suzanne Chambers: Winter has so far been a season of future-thinking and action for the Faculty of Health Sciences.
06 November 2019
Share
ACU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Engagement, Professor Sandra Jones, has been recognised in the 2019 Autism CRC Awards with the Translation of Autism Research Award for her research in collaboration with Amaze.
The award recognises two research projects lead by Professor Jones to assess community attitudes towards autism and explore supports for autistic people. ACU’s Dr Muhammad Akram, from the Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, was the lead statistician on both projects.
The first of its kind in Australia, the research was initiated and funded by the peak body for autistic people and their supporters in Victoria, Amaze.
“Amaze wanted to establish baseline measures so that we can track changes in the Australian community’s understanding, engagement and acceptance of autism into the future. Another key aim is to track whether autistic people and their families perceive their inclusion in society as improving over time,” Professor Jones said.
The first research study sought to determine levels of understanding about autism amongst the community and surveyed Australian adults on their understanding of autism facts and myths.
This study found that community awareness of autism was high, but confidence in providing support was low: 98 per cent of participants had heard of autism and 86 per cent personally knew an autistic person, but only 29 per cent agreed they would know how to support an autistic person.
“The research uncovered concerning levels of belief in common myths. For example, 39 per cent of participants incorrectly believed (or were unsure) that autistic people are often violent, 51 per cent believed that schools can refuse enrolment, 22 per cent believed that autism is caused by vaccines and 22 per cent believed that autistic people grow out of the condition,” Professor Jones said.
The second research project surveyed autistic people and their families to understand their experiences of interacting in the wider community, and their priorities for building understanding and acceptance in society.
Results found that only four per cent of autistic people and their families believed the community knew how to support them. Additionally, 51 per cent reported feeling socially isolated and 39 per cent often could not leave the home due to the negative reactions of others or due to experiencing sensory sensitivity. Levels of support in schools and workplaces were also low, with very few adjustments being made and 44 per cent of secondary students moving schools due to lack of support.
“These social and environmental barriers contribute to the low levels of employment and post-secondary education among autistic people. Society’s focus on the challenges of autism means that the unique strengths and capabilities of autistic people are frequently overlooked. Increased acceptance from the community and simple environmental modifications can facilitate inclusion and enable autistic people to reach their potential, with significant benefits to society,” Professor Jones said.
Professor Jones’s research data has been used in policy submissions to government, and to inform the development of five-year Victorian Autism Plan. The research has also informed autism support resources such as fact sheets at www.onethingforautism.com.au, where the research reports are also available for download.
“As an autistic person, and an advocate for the autism community, I was excited to work on this important research with Amaze and am delighted that its impact has been recognised with this award. I hope that this ongoing research will encourage more people to learn about autism, dissipate harmful myths, and improve support and inclusion for autistic people,” Professor Jones said.
A message from Executive Dean of Health Sciences Professor Suzanne Chambers: Winter has so far been a season of future-thinking and action for the Faculty of Health Sciences.
From Monday 22 July to Friday 9 August, Service Central will be available for extended hours to support staff.
A message from Vice President Father Anthony Casamento csma: From 5 – 9 August we will celebrate Mission Week across our campuses. This is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to cele...
Are you going to be a grandparent soon? Did you know ACU offers personal leave for staff to care for their child or grandchild after birth or adoption?
Discover the learning and career development opportunities that are available online, including the brand-new leadership development program, 'The Edge Series'.
Join ASCILITE and become a member of one of Australasia’s most vibrant professional technology enhanced learning communities, with more than 2200 members from tertiary institutions across Australia an...
Phones will be removed from all classrooms over the mid-semester break, from 23 September to 27 September.
Include an additional survey item in the Student Evaluation of Learning and Teaching (SELT) survey for units that are offered in Professional Term 5 (202455).
Australia’s first five-time diving Olympian, a Kiwi gymnast and the woman who taught actor Chris Hemsworth to row will be among 15 ACU students and alumni to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Para...
A message from acting Executive Dean of Theology and Philosophy Associate Professor Richard Colledge: Recently, the faculty has hosted opportunities for reflection on the possibilities for reconcilia...
Are you on your parenthood journey? A practical guide is now available to support staff, and their supervisors, through the stages of becoming a parent and transitioning back to work.
Embark on an exhilarating journey into the mysterious world of enrolments. Register to attend an enrolment information session for Semester 2, 2024.
Join upcoming online workshops in preparation for Semester 2. Secure your spot today to learn how you can utilise Canvas and its features to enhance your teaching practices.
A limitless professional horizon awaits ACU students after its three IT programs were awarded certification by the nation’s most trustworthy player in the tech sector, the Australian Computer Society.
Following evaluation and voting by a panel of ACU judges, Co-Lab is delighted to announce Thomas Clark and Xavier Chalkley as the winners of the $1000 prize for the ACU Co-Lab Social Enterprise Pitch ...
ACU Library staff will participate in professional development activities on Thursday 18 July. While away from their usual posts, they'll be working together across three locations to plan our future ...
Applications for 2024 Teaching Development Grants, Citations and Awards are open. Explore guidelines and resources to enhance your teaching project’s impact or gain recognition for your contributions.
As we sit in this small window of the winter break gearing up for Semester 2, it's important to recognise that not everyone experiences this period as downtime. For many, workloads and busy lifestyles...
This week is NAIDOC Week, an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
ACU staff who are also members with UniSuper can now access free expert medical advice and services to support their health and wellbeing through MetLife 360Health.
Visit Service Central to access Corporate Services.