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Curtin University to host Autism Open Day

Staff WriterCanning Gazette

PERTH residents will get the chance to learn about what people with autism bring to workplaces, education and the wider community at the upcoming Autism Open Day this Sunday.

The event is hosted by Curtin and the Telethon Kids Institute.

The free annual event aims to address the strengths and skills of people with autism that can help support successful employment outcomes.

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An estimated 230,000 Australians are affected by autism, with 75 per cent of people diagnosed being 19 years of age or younger.

“People with autism are ambitious and aspirational and possess unique strengths and abilities that can be harnessed in the work environment, often performing well in jobs requiring systematic information processing and a high degree of accuracy, precision and repetition,” the Curtin Autism Research Group’s Sonya Girdler said.

“Employment can help improve the quality of life for people with autism, mainly through financial support, but also by encouraging personal dignity and improving their cognitive abilities.

“Currently, there is only a small amount of appropriate services available to support these adults, specifically in finding employment.”

Professor Girdler said the annual event offered a great opportunity for adults and children with autism to learn more about how their skill set could be utilised by potential employers.

“Autism Open Day provides a space that encourages parents and individuals living on the spectrum to join in on informative discussions about employment, meet autism researchers from Curtin and Telethon Kids Institute, see live demonstrations of the newest technologies available, and learn about engaging programs that support people living with autism,” she said.

“There will also be important information on key areas such as pathway planning for school leavers with autism, social skills training for teenagers with autism, emotion recognition training computer games, and peer mentoring programs for university students with autism.”

Autism Open Day, will be held in the Technology Park Function Centre, 2 Brodie Hall Drive, Bentley, on Sunday, 9 September 2018, from 10am to 3pm.

For further information, visit: https://carg.curtin.edu.au/2018/05/29/autism-open-day/