Positively Autistic - Jeanette's Autism Show

This is Jeanette Purkis's radio show where she and invited guests talk about all things Autism. Jeanette is an Autistic author, advocate and public speaker and is passionate about empowering people on the Autism spectrum to live fulfilled and positive lives. Jeanette is a keen advocate for inclusion and appropriate support for people with Autism spectrum conditions in such areas as employment, education, parenting and access to health services.

This week, Jeanette will be speaking with Professor Sylvia Rodger about her work with the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (or ‘Autism CRC’ to its friends). The CRC is doing some great work around improving the lives for Autistic people and their / our families and places a strong emphasis on inclusion of Autistic perspectives and experience in its work. 

Sylvia Rodger is an occupational therapist with more than 30 years’ experience working in clinical practice and higher educational settings. She was head of occupational therapy at The University of Queensland from 2001-2012. In 2013 she became Director of Research and Education at the (Autism CRC), where she oversees the research strategy for the CRC and the educational programs to capacity build PhD scholars, researchers and adults on the spectrum in peer research. She is passionate about enabling the next generation of researchers and ensuring the voices of those on the spectrum are heard in relation to research direction, engagement, and its operationalisation. She is a mother of two adult children and enjoys yoga, pilates, walking, cooking and spending time with family and friends.