Transforming autism research through co-design and community partnership | La Trobe

University
La Trobe University
Awards category
The Community Champion Award
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The Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) at La Trobe University is transforming autism research by placing autistic people and their families at the centre of every project. Through co-created, multidisciplinary initiatives, OTARC ensures lived experience drives research priorities and outcomes, delivering real-world, life-changing impact.

As Australia’s first centre dedicated to autism research - and the leading autism research centre in the southern hemisphere — OTARC translates research into accessible tools and services such as ASDetect app, Victorian Early Assessment Clinic and GymSPARC. Its Aut-visory Group empowers Autistic adults to guide research frameworks and decisions.  

Reaching more than 200,000 people each year through research, training, and advocacy, OTARC sets a national benchmark for inclusive, community-driven research — demonstrating how universities can co-create knowledge that improves lives and equity.

Entrant: Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre - La Trobe University

Occupational therapist Jessikah Skrinis works with children from St Peters Primary School Bendigo, as part of the ALERT program

The Victorian Early Assessment Clinic team travelled to Shepparton to allow local families easy access to early assessment services. Pictured: L to R, VEAC clinicians Renate Giacometti, Claire Shanahan, Rosalyn Wong, Clinic Director Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro, Practice Manager Kim Galletti

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