The Albury-Wodonga Autism Community of Practice has embraced one of 2020's key words, 'Zoom', and has hosted its first online event.
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Co-ordinated by volunteers, the group has attracted a strong following of families and professionals since forming in 2017.
Founding member, Melanie Martinelli, said four major events were held each year, and yesterday's session focusing on autism and mental health was their first to go digital.
"We had a networking event earlier in the year, and then we had another one about independent living and autistic adults that was meant to happen, just as COVID hit," she said.
"We couldn't get things together in time to go online, so we had to drop that one.
"This time around, we talked about mental health and autism.
"Most people on the autism spectrum have some sort of mental health condition ... the prevalence is massive, compared to the non-autistic population.
"Supports need to be quite specialised to help people with autism spectrum disorder."
Topics included research by Griffith University, presentation in children, and the biology behind the issue, in a general overview of mental health from psychologists and those with lived experience.
"We all know that there's mental health issues around COVID and when we discuss the impacts on people on the autism spectrum, people will say, 'Yes, that's from COVID', 'That's from change', and 'That's from transitioning from one thing to another'," Ms Martinelli said.
"Once COVID goes, issues are still going to be there.
"We want professionals to change the way they practice, or have a better understanding of autism in their practice."
About 50 people attended Friday's session.
The next event by the Albury-Wodonga Autism Community of Practice will be about females on the autism spectrum, and will likely run in an online format.
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Ms Martinelli believed utilising video conferences had not hindered their impact - quite the opposite.
"I think it's been helpful; people have easier access, we can reach a slightly wider market, and we can record sessions so people can watch them back," she said.
"Prior to COVID, we just didn't have the experience in doing it, and people found it quite confrontational, so I think COVID has reduced a lot of barriers.
"I know in my practice, I've been able to attend workshops in the United States - next week I'm attending a workshop in Singapore ... all through the technology.
"We are actually a global audience, so it's a scary but exciting time."
