For adults

Resources for Autistic adults, their families and caregivers, and the professionals that work with them.

Resources produced by OTARC researchers

DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND AUTISTIC ADULTS

DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND AUTISTIC ADULTS

For Autistic adults, family and friends regarding rates of depression and anxiety, risk factors and strategies for managing these.

Download pamphlet [344.32KB]

NEW SKILLS WILL SAVE LIVES, SAY AUTISTIC PEOPLE

NEW SKILLS WILL SAVE LIVES, SAY AUTISTIC PEOPLE

A global panel released its findings from the “Health, Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention in Autism” Conference and Roundtable.

View online presentation

Rise@DHHS REPORT

Rise@DHHS REPORT

This report contains findings on the seven Autistic employees at the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.

Rise@DHHS Report [752KB]

WORKPLACE SOCIAL CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY AUTISTIC EMPLOYEES

WORKPLACE SOCIAL CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY AUTISTIC EMPLOYEES

A plain language online peer-reviewed paper summary.

View online presentation

SNAPSHOT PROFILES FROM SASLA

SNAPSHOT PROFILES FROM SASLA

Three snapshots of Study of Australian School Leavers with Autism (SASLA) participants containing baseline characteristics and longitudinal trends.

Autism CRC website

HOW DO RESILIENCE AND COPING STRATEGIES INFLUENCE THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF AUTISTIC ADULTS

HOW DO RESILIENCE AND COPING STRATEGIES INFLUENCE THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF AUTISTIC ADULTS

A plain language online peer-reviewed paper summary.

View online presentation

SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH: WHAT YOUNG AUTISTIC ADULTS TELL US

SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH: WHAT YOUNG AUTISTIC ADULTS TELL US

Are you a clinician working with Autistic adolescents and adults? This online presentation is for health care workers who work with Autistic adolescents and adults.

View online presentation

VIDEO: MENTAL WELLBEING FOR AUTISTIC YOUNG ADULTS

VIDEO: MENTAL WELLBEING FOR AUTISTIC YOUNG ADULTS

Watch our experts, Dr Simon Bury, Dr Lauren Lawson, and Jessica Davis, discuss the mental wellbeing of Autistic adults.

Watch the discussion

THE SUICIDE RESPONSE PROJECT(SRP)

THE SUICIDE RESPONSE PROJECT(SRP)

The SRP provides tips for the general public on how to detect and respond to suicide risk in others.

SRP website

AUTISM IN THE WORKPLACE TIP SHEETS

AUTISM IN THE WORKPLACE TIP SHEETS

Co-created by the PEAS team (Partnership for employment outcomes for Autistic people in society) with input from Autistic people, family members of Autistic people, and DES employees.

PEAS website

MENTAL HEALTH TOOLKIT: SUPPORTING A NEURODIVERSE WORKFORCE

MENTAL HEALTH TOOLKIT: SUPPORTING A NEURODIVERSE WORKFORCE

Presenting current, evidence-based information, and strategies for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Autistic employees (funded by DXC Technology and ANZ Bank).

Mental health toolkit [PDF 1.1MB]

HEALTH, WELLBEING AND SUICIDE PREVENTION IN AUTISM CONFERENCE 2021

HEALTH, WELLBEING AND SUICIDE PREVENTION IN AUTISM CONFERENCE 2021

2021 Conference booklet containing abstracts, keynote speaker transcripts and interview transcripts.

Booklet [PDF 1.41MB]

TRAINING: SUPPORTING A NEURODIVERSE WORKFORCE

TRAINING: SUPPORTING A NEURODIVERSE WORKFORCE

Aimed at colleagues and managers and designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of all employees, including those on the Autism spectrum. Supported by DXC Technology and ANZ Bank, and Untapped Holdings.

Available courses

NRURODIVERSITY HUB - FOR STAFF SUPPORTING NEURODIVERGENT TERTIARY STUDENTS

NRURODIVERSITY HUB - FOR STAFF SUPPORTING NEURODIVERGENT TERTIARY STUDENTS

This site presents information from the Supporting transition to and participation in tertiary education for autistic students study undertaken by OTARC and funded by the Department of Human Services, Victoria.

Neurodiversity Hub

WHAT IS AUTISTIC BURNOUT?

WHAT IS AUTISTIC BURNOUT?

A plain language online peer-reviewed paper summary.

View online presentation

“IT DEFINES WHO I AM” OR “IT'S SOMETHING i HAVE”: WHAT LANGUAGE DO [AUTISTIC] AUSTRALIAN ADULTS [ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM] PREFER

“IT DEFINES WHO I AM” OR “IT'S SOMETHING i HAVE”: WHAT LANGUAGE DO [AUTISTIC] AUSTRALIAN ADULTS [ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM] PREFER

A plain language online peer-reviewed paper summary.

View online presentation

SASLA FINAL REPORT

SASLA FINAL REPORT

The final report and snapshot from the Longitudinal Study of Australian School Leavers with Autism (SASLA) is available from the Autism CRC website.

Autism CRC website

WHAT ARE THE LINKS BETWEEN COVID-19, WELLBEING, DEPRESSION, AND SUICIDE RISK FACTORS IN AUSTRALIAN AUTISTIC ADULTS

WHAT ARE THE LINKS BETWEEN COVID-19, WELLBEING, DEPRESSION, AND SUICIDE RISK FACTORS IN AUSTRALIAN AUTISTIC ADULTS

A plain language online peer-reviewed paper summary.

View online presentation

Reframing Autism - welcome pack

For newly diagnosed adult Autistics.

Inside the Welcome Pack, you’ll learn more about:

  • Discovering that you are Autistic
  • Autism acceptance, self-compassion and self-care
  • Developing a positive Autistic identity
  • Reducing masking and camouflaging
  • Living a good Autistic life
  • What we wish we had known
  • What we wish others to know

Plus additional resources, insights, glossaries, FAQs and Autism 101’s.

Welcome pack website

Yellow Ladybugs

The Yellow Ladybugs are a an Australian charity run by and for Autistic girls, women, and gender-diverse folks, and their families. They have lots of resources including fact sheets, videos, podcasts, online learning, books and info-graphics.

Yellow Ladybugs resources web page

Autism Community Network (ACN)

ACN embodies inclusion and respect at its core, with a focus on the Autism community providing an array of events, workshops and support groups catering to different interests, hobbies, activities, and needs. In person events are in New South Wales however they also offer events online.

ACN events website

Self-Advocacy@Work

Helping Autistic people navigate the world of employment, understand workplace rights and develop self-advocacy skills.

Self-Advocacy@Work website


Aspect Self-compassion Program for Autistic Adults (ASPAA)

Embark on a journey towards greater self-compassion. The central idea of self-compassion is learning to become your own best friend. It involves being warm and understanding toward ourselves when we are suffering, fail at something or feel inadequate, rather than ignoring our pain or being too self-critical.

This program was co-produced by us (Dr Ru Ying Cai and Dr Chris Edwards) with the support of Autistic advisors Aiyah Membery, Anna Gould, and Chris Day.

Register on the Aspect website


What is Autism?

A free online course for people who interact or engage with Autistic people and communities.

Access the course


Introduction to Neurodiversity

This website, aimed at young Autistic people, provides an understanding of neurodiversity, the natural differences in types of brains, and how they work.

Autism Understood website


Neurodiversity Toolkit

Seven fact sheets suitable for university and other higher education staff planning events with an inclusive focus.

Toolkit


Marymead Autism Centre Support Groups (ACT)

Marymead Autism Centre offers a variety of social and support groups for people on the Autism spectrum and their families.

Marymead website


MyWay Employability

myWAY Employability can help Autistic young people to take control of their future and prepare for working life.

MyWay Employability website


Aspergers Victoria

Volunteer-run, offering peer support groups, employment coaching and training.

Aspergers Victoria website

Explore resources for other ages