about the toolkit.
The span.toolkit provides free access to clinical and lived experience resources to equip healthcare professionals with the tools and information needed to identify and support autistic adults experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviour.
research behind the span.toolkit
The span.toolkit is based on multi-year research involving over 180 autistic people and healthcare professionals, many of whom are also autistic or otherwise neurodivergent.
This includes more than 200 hours of research interviews and focus groups with autistic adults and healthcare professionals, led by Dr Claire Brown, PhD (Suicide Prevention Australia National Suicide Prevention Post-Doctoral Research Fellow), which directly informed the development of the span.toolkit website. This work builds on earlier mixed-method research led by Associate Professor Darren Hedley, PhD (past Suicide Prevention Australia National Suicide Prevention Research Fellow), which underpins the SIDAS-M, SAK-MI, and the broader lived experience framework of the toolkit.
This research program has informed academic publications, policy contributions, professional training, and the development of practical tools and resources to support healthcare professionals working with autistic people.
Most importantly, our work centres autistic lived experience as the primary driver for developing mental health supports and suicide prevention approaches that are effective, accessible, and neuroaffirming.”.
the team behind span.toolkit
Claire M. Brown, PhD
Darren Hedley, PhD
Arya Zammit-Blizzard
Aspasia Stacey Rabba, PhD
Axel Nathaniel-Rose, PhD
Charlton Quitoriano, BDes, BParamedPrac, GradCertPosPsych
Chris Templin
David Murphy, BA (Hons), MA (Lond.)
Ensu Sahin, BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Clinical)
Simon Bury, PhD
Gilly-Elle McKeown, PhD
Greg Bowtell, PhD
Greg Healy
Jackie Chanzi
Jane Mantzalas, PhD
Jodie Wilson, BVSc, MAPP
Jordan Beth Vincent, PhD
Julian N. Trollor, PhD
Mark A. Stokes, PhD
Mark Deady, PhD
Mark Ellis
Mel Spencer OAM
Miff Trevor, BA (Psych), MSWQ
Natasha Staheli
Philip Batterham, PhD
Rachel Moseley, PhD
Rebecca Hogea
Robyn Humphries, OAM
Rosiel Elwyn, BSocSci (Psych) (Hons), MProfPsych
Sarah Cassidy, PhD
Tayla John, BNurs, PGDip (Mental Health Nursing Practice), MAdvNursPrac
Umesh Babu, MD
Vicki Gibbs, PhD
Wenn Lawson, PhD
acknowledgements.
Funding
The span.toolkit was funded by a Suicide Prevention Australia Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship awarded to Dr Claire Brown, with additional support from La Trobe University and the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC).
Leadership
The span.toolkit was developed in collaboration with Amaze, Aspect, Barwon Health, Different Journeys, Monash Health, Monash University, Roses in the Ocean and Yellow Ladybugs, and was led by Dr Claire Brown and researchers at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC), La Trobe University.
Established in 2008, OTARC is Australia’s first dedicated autism research centre. OTARC works in partnership with autistic people and the autism community to conduct research and translate evidence into practice, including support programs, professional training, and best-practice approaches to autism assessment, health, and wellbeing across the lifespan.
Community Involvement
We extend our sincere thanks to the autistic people, mental health professionals, health services, and autism organisations who contributed expertise throughout this project. The span.toolkit was co-developed with autistic adults at every stage of planning, research, design, and implementation. These insights shaped the content, language, tools, and priorities of the Toolkit, ensuring it reflects real-world needs and lived experience of autistic people.
We acknowledge and remember all persons lost to us because of suicide as well as the people left behind. We acknowledge the enduring suffering suicide brings and the complex emotions and experiences of all people who have contemplated suicide, and that those with lived and living experience can provide hope, resilience, and support to those at risk.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognise their ongoing connections to land, sea, and community. The Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre at La Trobe University is located on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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