![he advantages to having a brother or sister with special needs are numerous.](/web/20170129184154im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/m/q/7/5/image.related.landscape.380x253.gtfm56.png/1483617417613.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/20170129184154im_/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.
![embrace](/web/20170129184154im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/h/i/f/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.2hiez.gjzq3k.png/1444265913192.jpg)
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![Students with additional learning needs face myriad difficulties.](/web/20170129184154im_/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/20170129184154im_/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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![Ben Carter and his family are celebrating thanks to Tommee Tippee.](/web/20170129184154im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/1/i/l/o/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt1ihb.png/1481009370297.jpg)
Tommee Tippee comes to the rescue and makes 500 cups for boy with autism
When a desperate dad made a public appeal for a Tommee Tippee cup for his 14-year-old son he didn't expect the story to end this way.
![Brianna Simpson, 7, and mum Sharon Simpson, are part of family support group Yellow LadyBirds drawing attention to the ...](/web/20170129184154im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/r/x/j/n/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsqh9s.png/1479673129442.jpg)
Pointing out the gendered nature of autism diagnosis
Experts suggest the skewed gender ratios for autism overlook how the condition manifests in girls.
![The discontinued Tommee Tippee cup is the only cup that Ben Carter, 14, will drink from.](/web/20170129184154im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/r/5/n/a/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsr591.png/1479335000473.jpg)
Dad desperately needs your old Tommee Tippee cups for teen with severe autism
A British dad has turned to the Internet to help him find a special cup for his 14-year-old son.
![Amanda Preece with her daughter Ella.](/web/20170129184154im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/q/k/o/j/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsqkby.png/1479267055768.jpg)
Sydney mum searching for kind strangers who lifted her spirits on a bad day
The Sydney mother of a four-year-old girl, who has severe cerebral palsy, is trying to find the family whose kind gesture made her and her daughter smile, on a particularly bad day.
![Go Team Kate](/web/20170129184154im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/c/z/2/z/image.related.landscape.300x200.gscyo7.png/1477624789930.jpg)
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/20170129184154im_/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/20170129184154im_/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/20170129184154im_/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/20170129184154im_/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/20170129184154im_/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/20170129184154im_/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.
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