On 4 September 2025, the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) welcomed approximately 120 guests to its annual Research Showcase at La Trobe University’s City Campus. The event brought together researchers, clinicians, educators, government representatives, community organisations, Autistic people, and their families to celebrate the impact and future of autism research.
This year’s Showcase was built around three engaging brackets of speakers, each spotlighting research designed to create tangible change in the lives of Autistic people living in Australia, and hopefully globally.
Making a Difference in Schools
The program opened with a powerful focus on inclusive education. Professor Dawn Adams, OTARC’s newly appointed Endowed Chair, delivered her first Showcase presentation — an electrifying talk that set the tone for the day. Professor Adams spoke on the Learning About Neurodiversity in School (LEANS) program – an initiative for mainstream primary schools to introduce pupils aged 8-11 years to the concept of neurodiversity. Professor Alison Lane, the Centre’s Director, then spoke on sensory issues in the school environment with a focus on creating environments where Autistic students can thrive. Dr Anne Southall from La Trobe’s School of Education rounded out the bracket with insights from Selfsense – a program to support how Autistic young people develop self-understanding in school contexts.
Delivering a Direct Impact
The second bracket shifted attention to community-focused initiatives delivering immediate outcomes. Dr Claire Brown issued an impassioned call to action around suicide prevention, urging the sector to come together to work on prevention within the autism community. Her words resonated deeply across the room, highlighting the work led by Associate Professor Darren Hedley in co-developing the National Autism Suicide Prevention Resource Hub. Dr Kathryn Ambrose introduced Bloom, a project supporting mental health and wellbeing, while Professor Nora Shields showcased the Fitskills program, which is breaking down barriers to physical activity for Autistic young people.
A Better Approach to Autism Assessment
The final bracket explored how assessment practices are evolving to reflect neurodiversity-affirming principles. Professor Jenn MacIntosh from The Bouverie Centre emphasised the importance of supporting the whole family during assessment, while Rob Anderson offered a forward-looking perspective on the Victorian Early Assessment Clinic (VEAC) and projections for its next five years of impact.
Each bracket concluded with vibrant Q&As, where attendees engaged directly with the speakers, sparking discussions that stretched well beyond the room. One thing about the audiences at our annual showcases are that they are not shy during the Q&As – which goes to show that autism and neurodivergence are topics that people feel very passionately about.
In keeping with OTARC’s commitment to neuro-inclusivity, the Showcase once again incorporated thoughtful design features — from pre-event information and sensory-friendly adjustments to traffic light communication stickers and extended breaks — ensuring the environment was welcoming, accessible, and respectful of diverse needs.
The Honourable John Brumby AO, La Trobe University Chancellor, closed the event by commending OTARC’s leadership in shaping a future where autism research translates into real-world change.
"I think OTARC is perfectly positioned to, again, to play a major role, a really significant role in policy development and support for the Autistic community. And we've got a role too to play in developing the National Autism Strategy, which will be Australia's first national framework to improve outcomes for Autistic people and their families," said Chancellor John Brumby.
“We’re not just a national leader, we’re an international leader in this field of research and community support,” said the Chancellor. His remarks reinforced the Showcase’s message: research is not just about knowledge, but about impact.
The Showcase concluded on a note of excitement and anticipation. As one attendee summed it up: “There was a real energy in the room — the mix of research excellence, passion, and community engagement made it unforgettable.”
One thing we know, next year we are going to need a bigger venue!
Pictured (L-R): Chancellor John Brumby AO, Professor Alison Lane (OTARC Director), Professor Dawn Adams (OTARC Endowed Chair), Vice-Chancellor Theo Farrell.
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