Highly respected leader within the global autism and research communities
Griffith University is a university committed to undertaking cutting edge research to address educational needs. In the field of learning difficulties, Griffith has a strong track record of successfully delivering pre-service and postgraduate education courses. The university also has an established reputation for quality teaching graduates in the field of special education, making it well placed to work with partners to address workforce needs in Autism Spectrum Disorder education.
The Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE), has a mission to improve the quality of life for children and adults with autism by supporting learning - from early childhood to education and employment. This will be achieved by providing training to parents and professionals in multidisciplinary settings and by undertaking research to expand knowledge about autism and autism intervention. ACE is a collaborative initiative drawing on expertise from areas such as education, health and behavioural sciences. Our Centre is highly respected within the global autism community and recognised as leaders in the field and in evidence-based practice.
About the Autism Centre of Excellence
Our Centre
The strength of the Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE) lies in the calibre of staff, renowned nationally and internationally, and the expertise they bring to the Autism Centre of Excellence initiative. ACE works collaboratively with the state and federal government Education, Health and Communities portfolios.
Our experts
Our Centre provides professionals working across a variety of settings, with the knowledge and skills to improve the everyday lives of people with autism and their families. ACE seeks to support learning for people with autism across their lifespan and open doors of opportunity – from early childhood, to further education and employment.
Our research
Much of the research into Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is from a health and/or clinical psychology perspective. However, ASD has a profound influence on a learner’s ability to positively participate in educational settings. ASD shapes a learner’s educational experiences as well as their wellbeing and success throughout their lifespan.
Be the difference to learners with Autism
Develop your specialist knowledge and teaching techniques with Australia’s first postgraduate multidisciplinary program dedicated to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). With expert academic research and guidance, and the input of learners and their families, you’ll gain a deep understanding in communication, behaviour support, social-emotional learning, curriculum access, and can progress to more advanced courses covering transition phases, and collaborative practice.
Autism Centre of Excellence staff
Dr Dawn Adams
Senior Lecturer in the Autism Centre of Excellence
Mary-Ellen Feldhagen
Administrative Assistant
Professor Deb Keen
Professor at Autism Centre of Excellence, School of Education and Professional Studies
Professor Jacqueline Roberts
Chair of Autism, Autism Centre of Excellence
Dr Kate Simpson
Lecturer in the Postgraduate Autism Studies Program
Research Spotlight
Anxiety disorders are now recognised as the most commonly co-occurring conditions within autism spectrum disorders, with prevalence rates of clinically significant anxiety being 3-4 times higher in children with autism than children without autism. It is known that anxiety can impact on school engagement and academic performance for children without autism but research exploring anxiety and autism in the school context has to date, been very limited. With funding from Griffith University as well as the Department of Education and Training Educational Horizons grant scheme, Dr Dawn Adams and Professor Deb Keen are leading a program of research focussing upon anxiety and well-being in autism and how this may be identified within school settings. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for the findings as they are published.
Get in touch
Whether you're interested in partnering, studying or collaborating with us, or have a research or media enquiry
Latest news
August 08, 2018
Children with autism showing increasing anxiety through primary school – study
A world-first autism study has found high levels of anxiety in children as young as five years old with autism attending Australian schools.
July 19, 2018
Maximising communication in schools for children with autism
Schools need to improve communication skills so students with autism can flourish.
February 13, 2018
Autism workshop in Brazil
Professor Jacqui Roberts from the Autism Centre of Excellence recently returned from running a 4-day workshop for professionals working with people with autism in Porto Alegre and surrounding areas in the south of Brazil. While resources for the autism community are scarce and hard to access in Braz...
December 06, 2017
High anxiety in young children with autism – study
A new Griffith University study has found young children with autism display high levels of anxiety symptoms.
Assistance for parents and carers
As our Centre does not provide direct services, we are therefore not capable of providing advice on or assistance with the services that are available locally or elsewhere. If you require access to services or advice, please refer to: