History
OTARC was established in 2008 as a joint initiative of La Trobe University and Autism Victoria (now trading as Amaze). The establishment of OTARC was made possible with private donations from Mrs Olga Tennison and matching funds from La Trobe University. The Centre is named in acknowledgement of Mrs Tennison's generosity.
With Professor Cheryl Dissanayake as the inaugural Director, the Centre has grown in only a few years from her own lab with eight members to over 50 staff and students. In addition we have several honorary members and research adjuncts, both in Australia and overseas.
Under the Helping Children With Autism (HCWA) Package, OTARC has been involved in three federal government initiatives:
- Early Days workshops
- Raising Children Network
- Victorian Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre (Margot Prior Wing)
OTARC has also been instrumental in establishing the Early Assessment Clinic and the Australasian Society for Autism Research (ASfAR) and is an Essential Participant in the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
OTARC Annual Reports
- 2016 OTARC Annual Report [PDF 1.92MB]
- 2015 OTARC Annual Report [PDF 1.05MB]
- 2014 OTARC annual report [PDF 1MB]
- 2013 OTARC annual report [PDF 853KB]
If you are interested in previous issues, please contact Dr Elfriede Ihsen e.ihsen@latrobe.edu.au
'Another Piece' newsletter archive
Since June 2013 our Newsletters have been published in our Blog together with other news. Please catch up with our news there.
- Issue 19 – March 2013 [PDF 711KB]
- Issue 18 – December 2012 [PDF 1.11 MB]
- Issue 17 – September 2012 [PDF 610 KB]
- Issue 16 – June 2012 [PDF 672 KB]
- Issue 15 – March 2012 [PDF 1.25 MB]
If you are interested in previous issues, please contact Dr Elfriede Ihsen e.ihsen@latrobe.edu.au