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MEDIA RELEASE AUTISM SPECTRUM AUSTRALI Media release distributed by AAP Medianet.
PRESS RELEASE
EMBARGOED: 5AM WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER 2013
AUSTRALIAN-FIRST SURVEY OF ADOLESCENTS WITH AUTISM - RESULTS LAUNCHED TODAY Teenagers with autism struggle with education, bullying and stress Parents lack confidence that educators are well-informed about autism
A startling new research report into 12-17 year old adolescents with autism reveals many are struggling with bullying, mental health issues, and the challenges of schooling. Less than half report having good friends; and despite the young people themselves being optimistic about their future, their parents aren't so confident.
The "We Belong Too: the experiences, needs and service requirements of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder" report is published by Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), Australia's largest not-for-profit provider of autism-specific services. It is the first time adolescents with autism have been directly surveyed in a study of this scale, along with parents, to create a statistically sound profile of the life experiences, aspirations and future support needs of this growing group of young Australians with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The Australian-first research builds on the Aspect We Belong study in 2011 into adults with autism. "Our 2011 survey told us adolescence was defined by interrupted school pathways, relentless bullying and discrimination, and unmet education needs, which meant most adults were highly unlikely to find employment," said the newly appointed Director of Aspect Practice, Dr Debra Costley.
"Australia will lose out if our next generation of young people has the same trouble entering the workforce, and indicators from this 2013 We Belong Too report are not promising," she said.
KEY FINDINGS
The report shows 65% of parents do not believe educators are well informed about autism. With 3 in 4 autistic teens (74%) reporting difficulty paying attention and concentrating in class, a new generation of students hoping to enter the workforce within a few years are potentially at a significant disadvantage. Key findings of the report (which surveyed 100 adolescents with high functioning autism, and 65 parents, across Australia between November 2012 and June 2013) include:
* Lost in class: 3 in 4 autistic teens (74%) have difficulty paying attentionand concentrating in class.
* Bullying and discrimination: 3 in 4 parents (74%) report their child needs | more support to... |