Autistic social motivation: A summary of Jaswal and Akhtar for non-academics

The latest in our series of summaries of significant research studies concerning our community, this piece helps non-academics to understand Vikram Jaswal and Nameera Akhtar’s work on Autistic social motivation.

Unusual: A reflection on my schooldays as an unidentified Autistic

Autistic writer and advocate Gabi Compton reflects on how her schooldays, as an unidentified Autistic child, resulted in trauma, and the role this has played in shaping the adult she has become.

Growing up Autistic

In this special guest blog, non-speaking advocate, Tim Chan, reflects on the challenges of growing up Autistic without traditional communication, and of making sense of the world and his role in it.

Minecraft matters

A few months ago, one my youngest son’s therapists and I were discussing the pre-planning I had done for his NDIS funding. As some of you will know, the NDIS requires you to recount, in detail, the rhythm and flow of your child’s daily life and activities. My little guy is happiest just being in the safe, predictable environment of home, where I home-school him and his two older autistic brothers, and he prefers playing with children much older than his age-peers. Our family narrative reflects this reality.