Local woman Betty Ross supports The International Carers Autism Network which held a conference at the weekend talking, training and discussing issues which affect families, carers, providers, health workers, and law and order.
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She said a cohesive approach on the recognition of carers and the services they provided was still a problem but also revealed a deeper, dark secret, family voilence.
"I think its a subject we all need to talk about more, no matter how confronting it is. Family violence in the autism spectrum can be hurtful for everybody," she said.
"There have been cases of family violence and sometimes it's misunderstood by police officers and also at the other end, by the family.
"We are bringing them together better. Having said that the police are working with us on a Staying Home, Leaving Violence program because many times it's a simple misunderstanding between people."
She said the relationship between the police and her group was very good.
The Staying Home, Leaving Violence program is a specialised domestic and family violence program aimed at promoting victims' housing stability and preventing homelessness.
The program helps women who have separated from a violent partner or family member (and their children) to remain safely in their own home or another home of their choice.
Services funded under the program provide women and their children with intensive case management which is long-term and needs-based.
The service also works closely with key agencies such as the Police, Local Courts, Women's Domestic Violence Court Assistance Services, Health Services, Housing, Local Non-Government organisations and Family and Community Services to ensure clients receive the support services they need to aid recovery.
Support services range from practical assistance such as installing security measures in their homes and help with financial, legal and personal problems.
Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects, among other things, the way an individual relates to his or her environment and their interaction with other people.
The word 'spectrum' describes the range of difficulties that people with autism may experience and the degree to which they may be affected.
Some people may be able to live relatively normal lives, while others may have an accompanying learning disability and require continued specialist support.
The main areas of difficulty are in social communication, social interaction and restricted or repetitive behaviours and interests.
People on the autism spectrum may also have:
o unusual sensory interests such as sniffing objects or staring intently at moving objects
o sensory sensitivities including avoiding everyday sounds and textures such as hair dryers, vacuum cleaners and sand
o intellectual impairment or learning difficulties
An estimated one in 100 people has autism; that's almost 230,000 Australians. Autism affects almost four times as many boys than girls.
