Elise Waghorn asks do we stop to consider what distressing media is doing to our kids? While much attention has been drawn to the detrimental impact of violent video games on children’s developing brains, there has been relatively little discussion regarding the negative effects of news and...
Real-life impact, not diagnosis, should determine NDIS support, write researchers Nancy Sadka and Josephine Barbaro Ahead of the release of the government’s review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the topic taking centre stage is the diagnosis of autism. Over one third of people accessing...
Does the government’s new draft do enough to help those in crisis? Asks Andrew Whitehouse The Australian government released its draft National Autism Strategy yesterday. It aims to power a “coordinated national approach, supporting Autistic people at each stage of life”. The strategy is the fulfilment of...
"Research suggests early intervention is linked with better outcomes for children later in life,” said Kirrilie Smout, clinical child psychologist and founder of Calm Kid Central. Recent research commissioned by HCF, Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund, sheds light on the mental health struggles encountered by Australian...
Tamara Heath wonders if liberation equals hyphenation – or is it just more complication? For want of a better solution, my daughters have a hyphenated surname. And I am the first to admit the ‘double banger’ name can be more than a little annoying. It takes careful...
The Maritime Museum Sydney is excited to share some fantastic news. In honor of World Autism Understanding Day on April 2nd, they're teaming up with Aspect to create a sensory-friendly experience for all families, especially those with children on the autism spectrum or with sensory...
Kellie Haratsis comes to understand that multiculturalism is normal to a five year old. Some changes in life are easy; others challenge our thoughts and actions. Recently, our family moved from the country to Australia’s largest capital city. We had no time to explore options for...
Mental Health affects one in seven kids. Anna Gibson reports on what to look for: Children may have difficulties in more than one of these five areas: • Behaviour: - Externalising problems or ‘acting out’: disruptive, impulsive, angry or hyperactive behaviours. - Internalising problems or ‘holding in’: inhibited or...
You should focus on these 3 things, write researchers Mihiri Silva, Elodie O'Connor, Rachelle Welti and Sharon Goldfeld One in three Australian children has tooth decay by the time they start school, and this number rises to more than 40% by the time they’re eight or nine. Teeth decay...
Australian children who attend ‘Playgroups’ are more likely to be developmentally on track Recent research highlights the significant impact playgroups can have on your child's development, showing that children who attend playgroups are much more likely to be on track developmentally when they start primary school. The...
