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.
Autism Future Researchers Doctoral Training Program
Completing a thesis is only one step towards becoming a researcher or academic. The Autism Future Researchers Doctoral Training Program will provide high-quality PhD candidates with the opportunity to develop, practice and refine the skills to become the leading autism researchers of the future.
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. Our Graduate Certificate of Autism Studies can lead through to the Masters in Autism Studies course, which is an accredited program for becoming a Developmental Educator. Developmental Educators are an NDIS approved profession for supporting individuals on the autism spectrum and their families to achieve their individual developmental, social and learning goals.
Autism Centre of Excellence staff
Associate Professor Dawn Adams
Associate Professor in the Autism Centre of Excellence
Emeritus Professor Deb Keen
Emeritus Professor at Autism Centre of Excellence
Professor Jacqueline Roberts
Chair of Autism, Autism Centre of Excellence
Dr Kate Simpson
Senior Lecturer in the Postgraduate Autism Studies Program
Dr Stephanie Malone
Lecturer
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, Associate Professor 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
Video resources
- Autism and anxiety September 2020: What do we know and what works (video link)
- Autism and anxiety September 2020: What do we know and what works - Slides (PDF)
- Autism and anxiety: listening to and learning from parents of children with autism with Dr Dawn Adams - December 2018
- Autism and anxiety: an update - August 2018
- Autism and anxiety in the classroom
- Early Intervention with Adjunct Professor Pat Howlin
- Autism, Communication and Education with Professor Jacqui Roberts
- Research into evidence-based practices in autism with Professor Deb Keen
- Depression and Low Mood (Dr Jacqui Rodgers, UK) and Hearing the Child’s voice in research (Dr Kate Simpson, ACE)
Parent workshops
- Communication and Autism - Professor Jacqueline Roberts
- Early reading development in chlidren on the spectrum - Assoc. Prof. Marleen Westerveld
- Supporting your child's communication across the life span - Prof. Jacqueline Roberts
- Exploring sensory differences in autism - Dr Kate Simpson
- Navigating the maze of autism practices - Dr Jessica Paynter
- Autism, anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty - Assoc. Prof. Dawn Adams
- Q & A Session
School workshops
- Making schools 'user friendly' for students with autism - Prof. Jacqueline Roberts
- Exploring sensory differences in autism - Dr Kate Simpson
- Communication changes over time for students on the autism spectrum - Assoc. Prof. David Trembath
- Early reading development in children on the spectrum - Assoc. Prof. Marleen Westerveld
- Finding and sharing evidence-based practices - Dr Jessica Paynter
- Autism, Anxiety and the intolerance of anxiety - Assoc. Prof. Dawn Adams
- Q & A Session
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:
Latest news
Living lab launched in Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct
14 Jul 2021
Up to 30 Griffith Researchers and PhD students will develop innovative programs and early interventions for young children in collaboration with a...
Griffith trains autism researchers of tomorrow
03 Sep 2020
The University has launched a new doctoral program to give future autism researchers the skills and experience they need to improve the lives of...
More autism research needed at home, school and community say parents
14 Aug 2020
Parents of children with autism want more research to support their child’s wellbeing at home, school and the community.
Children on the autism spectrum tell researchers about their strengths– and it may not be what you...
02 Jul 2020
An Australian-first study explores the self-reported best attributes and strengths of 83 children on the autism spectrum.