La Trobe University’s Understanding and Support for Autism elective was the first autism-specific undergraduate subject offered in an Australian university. The elective was initially introduced in Semester 2 of 2013, formerly known as "Understanding and Treating Autism Spectrum Disorders" under La Trobe's School of Psychological Science, and has consistently benefited from input provided by OTARC.
The inaugural course enrolled 340 students across La Trobe's Bundoora (Melbourne), Bendigo, and Albury-Wodonga campuses, spanning various disciplines including psychology, occupational therapy, health science, education, and law. Now an annual offering in Semester 2, the elective serves as a comprehensive introduction to autism, covering aspects from diagnosis to classroom strategies and beyond.
The most-recent offering of the course is coordinated by OTARC's Dr Melissa Gilbert, with input from many OTARC staff as guest lecturers, tutors, and subject matter experts. Dr. Gilbert emphasizes the significance of including experts with lived experience in both the curriculum refresh and the lectures.
Erin Salmon, a proud Autistic woman and student of La Trobe, shared her experiences of studying the subject. For Erin, the subject provided not only academic knowledge but also a platform for self-discovery and empowerment.
“As an Autistic woman, that curiosity has always been there, and learning about the intricacies of autism and how it manifests uniquely in individuals fascinated me,” she recalled. “[The subject] enhanced my understanding and enabled me to better articulate and comprehend my own journey.”
Learning about autism via this subject wasn’t just beneficial to Erin’s journey, but also brought about the realisation of the subject's potential to directly and positively impact the lives of Autistic people.
A highlight of Erin's experience studying in this subject was learning from diverse perspectives and expertise.
"What truly made the course memorable was the exceptional staff and guest lecturers. Their insights brought depth to our discussions and made every session engaging and thought-provoking. The autism elective team is an incredible group of people," she said.
After graduating from her undergraduate degree, Erin was a recipient of the OTARC Sylvia Walton Honours Scholarship and decided to continue her journey in the field of Autism research. She is currently undertaking her Honours thesis with us at OTARC.
“From what I've learned so far in my studies, neurodiversity research has accelerated significantly, possibly due to how quickly our understanding of this field is developing. There's a wealth of knowledge yet to be uncovered, making it an exciting and promising field to explore for me,” Erin said.
Erin’s initial interest in autism and neurodiversity has developed into further research, and her keenness to contribute to these fields is evident when speaking with her.
“My biggest career aspiration is to establish my own practice focusing on neurodiversity, where I can provide a welcoming and supportive environment for both neurodiverse practitioners and clients,” Erin says.
“I’d like to create a space where people across the neurodiversity spectrum feel understood, respected, and empowered to thrive.”
The Understanding and Support for Autism is offered online to anyone in Australia.
There are no prerequisites and for Australian Citizens it costs approximately $1,118.
You can find out more about the Understanding and Support for Autism elective by contacting us at otarc@latrobe.edu.au or visiting this link.
