Perth just held a major international autism conference. Here’s what we learned

World-leading experts and clinicians were among more than 1500 delegates from more than 30 countries who spent three days focussing on research, innovation, and lived experience to improve the lives and experiences for Autistic people.

The Asia Pacific Autism Conference 2025 just held in Perth, showcased more than 200 presentations from an international lineup of experts and advocates with a diverse range of cultural and international experiences on topics such as autism’s biological foundations, support for individuals with profound autism, clinical innovation, autism across the lifespan, and community inclusion.

WA Labor minister Hannah Beazley speaks on day one of the Asia Pacific Autism Conference 2025 in Perth last week. Credit: APAC2025

We are continually learning more about autism and how best to support autistic children and autistic adults in their later years. The story is still being written about how autism impacts people across their lives and autistic people are our guides.

Cognitive neuroscientist Professor Francesca Happé, from King’s College London, said autism was a global phenomenon that needed to be better understood.

“I am especially interested in sparking conversations about the way Autism impacts adults during midlife and older age, and how we can ensure they don’t get left behind,” she said.

Professor David Amaral, from the University of California said while opening the conference: “Our understanding of autism is growing every year.”

“For example, 25 years ago scientists didn’t know about the genetic alterations that can cause autism,” he said.

“Today, we know there are more than 200 genes that can increase the likelihood of autism when altered during pregnancy.

“There is now convincing evidence that autism begins prenatally – if you are autistic, you were almost certainly born with autism.”

Professor Stephen Shore, who was diagnosed with autism as a child and non-verbal until age four, is a leading researcher into autism at Adelphi University in New York and acknowledged the importance of support in the early years of life.

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His keynote address at the Perth conference – “The 4 As of Autism” – focused on how embracing autistic strengths fostered more inclusive and empowering outcomes.

“I’m the real-world example of how tailored therapeutic interventions and support can ensure people with autism are active participants in family and community,” Shore said.

“People with autism can lead fulfilling and productive lives, and can share their experiences to benefit schools, workplaces and advance scientific research.”

The knowledge shared at APAC 2025, and the research it leads to, ensures we remain on our global journey to build up our understanding and empower people with autism through every stage of their life.

APAC 2025 created a space for diverse perspectives, sharing new research, challenging assumptions, and ensuring autistic voices are heard.

This is about having a global conversation that deepens society’s understanding of autism and looks to the future.

Across the globe, no matter where we come from or our background, we are unified in our desire to continue on the path to drive change that ensures every child gets a great start in life, is included in a positive way at school, and goes on as an adult to be a valued member of the workforce and the broader community.

Bringing the best in research and policymakers together, as well as those with lived experience, is an invaluable way to share insights around a common purpose.

As a society, it is our responsibility to meet autistic individuals and their families where they are so that every person is included and can experience appreciation as a valued member of our community.

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It has been an extraordinary opportunity to come together across cultures, professions, and experiences to learn and shape the future we want to see.

From remote Western Australia, to Mongolia, to China and all the other countries represented, we were all focused on one thing – better outcomes for autistic children and adults and greater support for families.

This has been an incredible experience for Perth with new relationships forged far and wide. Creating and Inspiring the Future Together is the dream that brought us together, and while all great futures start with a dream, the future is shaped by putting legs to our dreams and working to create it.

We have been inspired and energised by the many voices that make up the autism community. We are conscious of many achievements thus far, but we know there is still more to be done and there are many miles to go before we sleep.

Joan McKenna Kerr AM is the chief executive of the Autism Association of Western Australia.

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