Autism research in Australia

Usha EKANAYAKE

Dr. Cheryl Dissanayake, a Sri Lankan now settled in Australia is the first Director of the OTARC (Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre) in Victoria, Australia. Last month the Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Services Bill Shorten said that the formation of OTARC was 'an example of the staggering generosity of Mrs Olga Tennison, backed by staggering leadership by Dr. Dissanayake.'

He said every cause required a champion, ie an individual or individuals who helped engineer change.

The OTARC was the result of commitment, compassion and a wish to create an organisation that would serve the people.

The strategy of the research centre would be 'to make a difference to our community,' said Dr. Tim Brown Vice Chancellor of the La Troube University where Cheryl Dissanayake is a senior lecturer in Psychological Science and the Research Director of the OTARC.... Mrs Olga Tennison, widow of a leading Melbourne journalist met Cheryl and seeing her interest and dedication initially offered $ 500,000 of her own money towards starting a research centre.

At the opening of the centre, she presented a cheque doubling that sum i.e. she donated $ 1000000. The University matched the contribution, and the centre functions at the Bundoora Campus of the La Troube University.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary describes autism as a mental condition especially in children which prevents proper response to its environment. In Australia , one in every 167 children suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but it remains somewhat of a mystery disease.

Dr. Dissanayake says that early detection is important. If identified at the age of 12 to 18 months early interventionist behaviour treatment is possible and it can have a minimising effect.

This treatment aims at stimulating normal brain development.

The ultimate aim is to stimulate neurological responses to activate or even switch off genes. "We know the way the brain develops and from genetics, that you can alter or minimise the effect of the disorder as child's brain is more plastic or pliant.

It could at times even make the difference between a child being able to speak or grow up a mute. A child who cannot communicate is frustrated and it leads to tantrums and anti-social or socially unacceptable behaviour and even self destruction. Parents are always helpless and the general community does not understand or tolerate what they call bad behaviour, anger and criticism of parents and even unkindness.

At shopping centres, there have been instances of public reaction forcing parents to take the child away.

The donation was given eleven months ago and Cheryl moved quickly to open the centre.

A new PhD scholarship and a three year post doctoral scholarship has been advertised.

She now has a working centre with six research assistants working with her guidance.

Under a Rudd Government election promise $ 190 million will be available for the treatment of autism. Parents of pre-school children with autism will be able to claim up to $ 12,000 for treatment for two years. There are 9,000 children with autism in Australia. In the 1970s when many Sri Lankans left for Australia Joyce and Ralph Dissanayake moved to Melbourne, Victoria, with their two daughters Sandra and Cheryl!... Both children were gifted. Cheryl who has always wanted to 'help others' has achieved a dream.