Lab to Life scholar visits

We held Lab to Life visits with our Autism CRC scholars in Sydney on Monday 4 September 2017 as part of our annual Scholars' Day.

Lab to Life is a unique program offered by Autism CRC for our scholars who are undertaking their postdoctoral research fellowship, PhD, masters or honours research with us. Our objective is to ensure that Autism CRC funded scholars graduate to be well rounded and well informed scientists.

Autism CRC scholars undertake Lab to Life visits during their candidature to give them experience with:

  • the stages of the lifespan from the early years and intervention, school years and adulthood,
  • professionals who work with autistic individuals and their families, and
  • different research settings from biological, neuroscience and genetics laboratories - to school classrooms, family environments, workplaces and the community.

The aim of our Lab to Life visits is to enable our scholars to:

  • spend time with other researchers and scientists to better understand their roles and Autism CRC research projects,
  • develop an appreciation of:
    • the impact autism can have on individuals and their families,
    • the inherent strengths possessed by autistic individuals, and
    • the impact of caring for/parenting an autistic individual across their life span,
  • develop an ability to discuss research and clinical aspects of autism with a range of professionals with different perspectives and expertise,
  • be able to communicate with autistic individuals and their families about their lived experience,
  • have the opportunity to meet other scholars in various settings who are engaged in Autism CRC funded research and learn about their projects, and
  • appreciate the diverse range of research undertaken within Autism CRC and also by Autism CRC researchers through other funding sources.