![Brianna Simpson, 7, and mum Sharon Simpson, are part of family support group Yellow LadyBirds drawing attention to the ...](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/r/x/j/n/image.related.landscape.380x253.gsqh9s.png/1479673129442.jpg)
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Starting school when you have autism
As kindergarten students of 2013 complete their first school year, a new crop of children are getting ready for their turn at this pivotal milestone.
![Autism](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/j/h/m/o/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.2jhlc.gjzq3k.png/1444265913192.jpg)
Scheme will cover cost of autism treatment
The national disability insurance scheme will cover ''most'' people with autism and could pay the full cost of early intervention programs, Disability Reform Minister Jenny Macklin has declared in the latest clue as to what the $22 billion-a-year scheme will cover.
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![Students with additional learning needs face myriad difficulties.](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/j/h/w/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.11g63k.gjzq3k.png/1444362815959.jpg)
!["To me, Jack was my next handyman project."](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/d/3/l/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.gjiago.gjzq3k.png/1444641712812.jpg)
Children with autism
How I learned to let go of the urge to 'fix' my son
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Superheroes help young girl with autism spectrum disorder communicate
Dressing up like Buzz Lightyear and channelling her favourite character has helped six-year-old Kate, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2012, better communicate with those around her.
![Emmett Moss](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/a/t/p/a/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsasr9.png/1477442613506.jpg)
What happens when my child with Down syndrome isn't cute anymore?
My wife, Vanessa, thinks I worry too much. She's right. But whether we want to think about it or not, Emmett has a rough road ahead.
![<i></i>](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/9/t/6/8/image.related.landscape.300x200.gs9t2t.png/1477351390336.jpg)
Six-year-old girl pens touching letter defending her brother who has autism
When a classmate told six-year-old Lex that her big brother was "weird" she didn't take it lying down.
![Tony Rutherford and his wife Kristen with their two sons, Connor and Lachlan.](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/8/5/m/k/image.related.landscape.300x200.gs85m3.png/1477045766432.jpg)
Families with disabled children need our support
Until six months ago we were parents of a disabled child.
![Grace Fava with 5 year old Morfael (No last name please)?at the Autism Advisory and Support Service in Liverpool Story ...](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/7/o/i/8/image.related.landscape.300x200.gs6vov.png/1477372602368.jpg)
Mother's struggle: 'There was no assistance to be found anywhere'
They say that these mothers experience a level of stress comparable to that of a combat soldier.
![Sonia Buckley has defended her son Billy (left), urging others to educate their children on disabilities that can't be seen.](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/6/c/j/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.gs6c2v.png/1476914501793.jpg)
Tearful mum defends son with ADHD in moving video
A mum has taken to Facebook to defend her son, who is often labelled a bully at school.
![Sofia Sanchez, 7, is letting the world know how much she loves herself as she is.](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/4/l/7/w/image.related.landscape.300x200.gs4k0x.png/1476746891114.jpg)
Seven-year-old girl opens up about living with Down syndrome
Every October mother of two Jennifer Sanchez waves the flag for Down Syndrome awareness month on behalf of her children, eight-year-old Joaquin and seven-year-old Sophia, who both have the genetic condition.
![Cadence's family are hoping to make a positive impact on the perception of autism in the community.](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/9/k/5/i/image.related.landscape.300x200.gq9jwf.png/1468979431207.jpg)
Cadence, 8, is changing the way we look at autism
An eight-year-old Queensland girl's delightful Facebook post is helping people to understand Autism a little better.
![Family writes 'notice' to 'woman with red hair'.](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/e/7/9/5/image.related.landscape.300x200.gpe7fw.png/1465351694950.jpg)
Teen with autism bullied by woman in Auckland park, family claims
The family of a teen with autism has lashed out at a bully in leaflets taped around an Auckland park.
![Gordy Baylinson attends his bar mitzvah.](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/z/g/t/h/image.related.landscape.300x200.gozgkp.png/1463697664165.jpg)
This non-speaking teen wrote an incredibly profound letter explaining autism
For the first 14 and a half years of Gordy's life, Evan and Dara Baylinson had no reason to believe their son could comprehend anything they said: He had never spoken, and he couldn't really emote.
![Jack says meeting other teens with autism spectrum disorder through Aspergers Victoria has made a big difference in his life.](/web/20161130100018im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/o/a/o/p/image.related.landscape.300x200.gohwy7.png/1462750558583.jpg)
'I just wasn't born with the appropriate social skills'
For the first time, researchers ask teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder about their battles to be happy.
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