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Autism conference to be held in Traralgon

A conference titled ‘Autism: Bringing Together Research and Practice’ is being held at the Quality Inn Latrobe Convention Centre, 5601 Princes Hwy, Traralgon on Friday 3 June 2005 from 9.15am to 3.30pm.

By Latrobe City Council - 17th May 2005 - Back to News

The conference is part of a regional training program organised by the ACT-NOW (Autism Secondary Consultation and Training) team based at Monash University. The conference aims to provide early childhood intervention professionals with the opportunity to learn about current national and international research in the field of autism. Parents are also welcome to attend.

Latrobe City Councillor, Lisa Price, said that it was important for the people of Gippsland to have access to training and information in the local area.

"For the families of children with autism, living in regions like ours, it can prove difficult to travel to metropolitan centres to receive up to date information. Many families may be isolated or unable to find respite care to attend similar programs in the City. Likewise, it is useful for local professionals to have access to education programs locally, rather than having to travel to receive the training," Cr Price said.

Project Manager, Kerry Bull said that the conference would enable Gippsland’s parents, carers and professionals to be armed with the most current information on autism spectrum disorders and have an opportunity to listen to and network with the eminent professionals in this area.

"We are privileged to have the members of the ACT-NOW team and their experience and expertise come to the region to advise us on specialist service provision, community and professional education, service development, support and consultation, and family advocacy. The team is internationally recognised for its research in the field of autism," Ms Bull explained.

The directors of the ACT-NOW project Professor Bruce Tonge (Child Psychiatrist) and Dr Avril Brereton (Special Educator, Early Childhood), as well as the Project Manager Ms Kerry Bull (Special Educator, Early Childhood) will be coming to Gippsland to present the conference. Other guest speakers include Dr Cheryl Dissonayake (Psychologist), Sally Girvan (Dietician) and Judy Matulick (Occupational Therapist).

The ACT-NOW project also has a website with information about the project, factsheets about autism, recommended reading and links to other resources. It also has a regional Gippsland link with a training calendar where available training is published.

As part of the ACT-NOW project Gippsland has developed a Regional Autism Coordination Team (ReACT) which consists of people who work with and have an interest in young children with autism and their families.

The Gippsland ReACT meets regularly with the ACT-NOW team to identify autism specific training and secondary consultation needs and what can be done to address these needs.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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