With the federal governments intended cuts to Medicare funding for Social Workers and Occupational Therapists under mental health plans I thought I’d interview a Psychiatric Social Worker and get the scoop on what these folks actually do and how is it different to what a Psychologist or Psychiatrist might offer. I interviewed Roxahn Thomas, MA, BSW, BA, MHSW
Here’s our interview. Read the rest of this entry »
When most people think of mental health they tend to think of psychologists or psychiatrists. But what do Social Workers and Occupational Therapists do in the mental health field? Can’t that all be covered by psychologists and psychiatrists?  Find out before the government succeeds in cutting Medicare funding for OTs and Social Workers. Read the rest of this entry »
Mental Illness can be a chicken or the egg question when it comes to those on the fringes of society; those homeless and itinerant, from broken, dysfunctional or damaging homes who survive without family support, those cut off from community, from their cultures, those living with disabilities. If these people develop mental illness there’s the assumption that a psychiatrist or psychologist is their next stop. But that presumed the mental illness is the cause not the symptom. Read the rest of this entry »
Hi folks, here’s today’s Webinar on The Power of Music and Autism. Me, Stephen Shore and Rudy Simone all featured in it… enjoy
Donna Williams, BA Hons, Dip Ed.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
Autism consultant and public speaker.
http://www.myspace.com/nobodynowherethefilm
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.aspinauts.com
That’s the title of the New Scientist article debunking autism interventions such as GF/CF diet (Gluten free, Casein free). New Scientist reports all the evidence is there… a randomised, placebo-controlled trial in which they took a load of kids with the same label (and excluded all those with gut/immune symptoms – go figure), applied the diet and found the diet didn’t make these kids non-autistic. Wow, really? So let’s see…
Continuing my discussions with French psychologist, Dr Luc-Laurent Salvador, here’s our discussion about body agnosia, autism and Exposure Anxiety: Read the rest of this entry »
On May 21st, for one night only Donna Williams and The Aspinauts will perform the rock musical Footsteps of a Nobody 7-8pm, followed by an interactive question-answer forum with the audience, Walking In Autistic Shoes, from 8-8.30pm at the Wendouree Centre For Performing Arts. Proudly sponsored by Ballarat Autism Network as part of World Autism Awareness Month. Read the rest of this entry »
I was approached by a French psychologist, Dr Luc-Laurent Salvador, who asked me about bonding, coloured spots and reflection. Here’s our discussion: Read the rest of this entry »
As the author of 10 published books, an international public speaker and professional autism consultant I’m best known in the autism world. But I have a 
wide following in the D.I.D (Dissociative Identity Disorder) and MPD populations too. Read the rest of this entry »
Today I went to the Rime Institute in Tecoma. It’s a marvelous house in suburbia transformed into a Buddhist centre practicing Tibetan Buddhism. If you’ve ever wanted to try out various forms of meditation or learn more about Buddhist spirituality of philosophy this is such a gentle, low key place with a lovely vibe.
Wondering how to stop thinking, doing, judging and learn how to be, or how to strengthen the ability to be to the point it doesn’t cause boredom, agitation or withdrawal symptoms from Facebook or Nintendo? Then I recommend this place.
It’s donation basis is highly affordable. You can attend sessions on an ad-hoc basis and see if its for you. The Buddhists at the centre are real people, earthy, warm, approachable with none of that floating on clouds false ‘new agey’ thing. Tibetan Buddhism is steeped in rich history thousands of years old. This is real, tangible spirituality at your own pace (note, I said spirituality, not religion) and, no, you don’t have to be a vegetarian nor religious to try it out. Even if you just go along for a new cultural experience, it’s a great atmosphere and as close as you’ll get to the feel of a Buddhist temple in the foothills of Dandenong Ranges (it’s also walking distance from Tecoma station if you want to leave the car at home).
Donna Williams is an Australian born adult with autism who was assessed as psychotic at the age of 2 in 1965, labelled disturbed in the 1970s and diagnosed as autistic in her 20s in 1991.
She acquired functional speech in late childhood and went on to become a qualified teacher with an honors degree in Sociology and a degree in Linguistics. She is the author of two international bestselling autobiographies and has 10 published books including 4 text books widely used in autism education and two books of poetry and prose.
As a screenwriter, she wrote the screenplay to “Nobody Nowhere”, the first book in her 4 book autobiographical series. That screenplay is currently under option to become a Hollywood film. She is an professional artist, singer-songwriter and published poet as well as a world renowned public speaker on autism now living with her husband in Australia. In her presentations she draws not only on her own experiences but on international experience as a professional autism consultant since 1996.
Donna’s is a speaker in demand around the world due to her unique perspective and ability to share her feelings and experiences on a very personal level. More information about her and her life’s work can be found on her website at http://www.donnawilliams.net .