BUNBURY children with autism and their families could look forward to a “normal” life and social acceptance with the help of a new local research project.
The Val Lishman Health Research Foundation has joined the South West Autism Network and Curtin University in a two-phase study on the disability.
The study will first aim to understand what happens after an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis before moving into a trial using technology-driven therapy.
While details of the method are yet to be released, foundation research manager Peter Heyworth said the scoping phase of the project was driven by an understanding that people with the disorder needed to receive therapy as early in life as possible.
He said interventional technology would be available for families involved in the project’s trial phase.
“[We want] to see if that technology leads to a different outcome and whether there is an improvement,” Mr Heyworth said.
The project received a $10,000 anonymous donation at an official launch morning tea near Yallingup on Sunday.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects, among other things, the way an individual relates to his or her environment and their interaction with other people.
Bunbury parents Karen and Laurence Davies will take part in the trial with their son Thomas, 7, diagnosed with high-functioning autism three years ago.
Mr and Mrs Davies said a better understanding of their son’s meltdowns through support groups, specialists and staff at the South Bunbury Primary School Education Support Centre had helped them function as a family.
But they hoped taking part in the trial would give Thomas an opportunity to live a “normal” life.
“The desire for people to accept him is a major part of it, as he still gets bullied through school and social occasions – we don’t want him to go through that,” Mrs Davies told the Bunbury Mail.
“Hopefully he’ll be able to hold down a job rather than having to stay with us when he’s older.”
South West Autism Network president Mark McAucliffe said he expected significant benefits to flow from the research project into the region.
“Regional communities have special needs that do not arise in the city making service delivery difficult – we hope this project will raise awareness of the needs of our members,” Mr McAucliffe said.
Local families dealing with autism spectrum disorder can contact the organisation on 9754 7322.
