SA makes history with new autism minister

By bobb |

Tim Dornin

South Australia's autism community will get its own state government minister in a national first and a decision hailed as a major step towards greater inclusion.

Emily Bourke has been appointed assistant minister for autism in a bid to ensure people with the neurological condition are better represented.

Premier Peter Malinauskas says he has heard from many South Australians that the time has come for a dedicated effort from government to make autism a priority. 

"That is why we have created this new role," he said on Monday.

‘It’s been a real rollercoaster’: navigating autism in the Covid-19 chaos

By bobb |

@Gay_Alcorn

A sense of routine is essential for Morgan Tilly, who has non-verbal autism. So when coronavirus restrictions hit, her family had to create familiarity amid the uncertainty.

Morgan Tilly, 24, loves to swim. She seems to have a physical, sensory need to be in the water.

Family struggling to find carers for autistic daughter despite NDIS funding

By bobb |

Helen Campbell knows the risk her daughter Annie poses to the community because she has experienced it herself.

Key points:

  • Annie Campbell has complex care needs
  • Her mother says she has struggled to find carers willing to work with her
  • The NDIA says it is working with the family to find a solution

In 2013, a small change to Annie's routine during a tenpin bowling excursion resulted in a violent meltdown.

SA: Family struggling to find carers for autistic daughter despite NDIS funding

By bobb |

Helen Campbell knows the risk her daughter Annie poses. Her needs have been deemed so complex, that the South Australian Government has funded two carers at once to look after her in recent years.

Despite current funding through Disability SA, Ms Campbell and her eldest daughter Lisa have struggled to find agencies or carers willing to take Annie on a long-term basis.

She is worried this will only be more complicated when her daughter transitions to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) at the end of June.

Free workshop in Pirie for parents of children with autism

By bobb |

A free two-day workshop for parents and carers of children with autism is scheduled for Port Pirie in February and is backed by Geoff Brock.

The Independent Frome MP said it would be a “great initiative”.

“It will provide information about autism and improve understanding of the needs of school-aged students on the autism spectrum,” he said.

“I am happy to see it being held in Port Pirie for the benefit of Mid North families.”

The workshop will be at the Royal Port Pirie Yacht Club from 9.30am to 2.30pm on February 12 and 13.

SA: Mainstream classes full of students with special needs, union survey finds

By bobb |

Tim Williams

TEACHERS are facing classrooms where the majority of students in front of them have disabilities, learning difficulties or trauma-related conditions, a union survey has found.

More than 100 South Australian teachers, classroom support workers and parents made reports to a one-off Australian Education Union hotline in a single afternoon.