The Federal Government has announced a seven-yearandto improve the lives of Autistic Australians and foster social inclusion.
It’s the first national plan dedicated to the nearly 291,000 Autistic Australians.
The national plan aims to improve early diagnosis of autism, expand mental health support, and build more awareness of neurodiversity.
Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a condition diagnosed through developmental assessments and behavioural observations.
The strategy notes that some use the term ‘Autistic people’ while others use ‘people with autism’. The Government used the former, with a capital A, following feedback it received while developing the strategy.
The support that Autistic people need can vary widely because autism is a spectrum. It is often characterised by differences in communication styles and issues with sensory processing.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Autistic Australians are nearly six times more likely to be unemployed than Australians without a disability.
The majority of young Autistic Australians experience difficulty in school settings.
Autistic people are also two and half times more likely to experience depression than the broader population.
Strategy
In 2022,found life outcomes for Autistic Australians were “unacceptably poor”. It recommended a national autism strategy.
A year later, the Government set up the National Autism Strategy Oversight Council (NASOC), a body dedicated to developing a nationaland an actionable.
NASOC is led by Autistic Australians, researchers, and government officials. It consulted with 2,000 people, including carers and advocates, to help identify barriers in work and society.
The strategy sets out four broad areas of improvement:
Social inclusion
Economic inclusion
Diagnosis and support
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Health, including mental health.
The plan sets out actions the Government will take to meet objectives in these areas.
For example, the Social Services Department will produce a guide to ensure public spaces are accessible to Autistic people, taking lighting, noise, and design into account.
The Government will also create a campaign to increase acceptance of Autistic people.
Government remarks
The Government says Autistic people “often ‘mask’ who they are while living in a neurotypical world”.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said a material plan to address challenges for Autistic Australians is “long overdue”.
More than $42 million has been earmarked for the plan, including around $915,000 for community awareness and education campaigns.
Response
Community advocacy group Autism Awareness Australia welcomed the Government’s strategy.
However, it warned hundreds of children are currently missing out on key supports due to recent changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
CEO Nicole Rogerson is pushing for an immediate rollout of the national plan.
“These kids are missing out on the vital support they need. We need action now to fill the gaps.”
Coalition
Shadow Social Services Minister Michael Sukkar said the Coalition will “closely examine” the national autism strategy. He criticised the Government for its “belated release” of the plan.
Sukkar added it “fails to shed any light on the status of Foundational Supports, and the supports in place to Autistic Australians who are coming off the National Insurance Disability Scheme”.
‘Foundational Supports’ is a new scheme to help people with disabilities who don’t meet the criteria for the NDIS.
