We've always known there is no single experience of autism. It can look very different from one person and one family to the next. At AAA, we've tried to reflect that in the stories we tell, the resources we create and the issues we advocate for.

Tessa Koumoundouros

New research suggests that those diagnosed with autism in late childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood are more likely to have a different type than those diagnosed in early childhood.

New research from Western Sydney University, conducted and funded in partnership with major not-for-profit disability service provider Northcott, has shed light on the challenges autistic young school leavers face when trying to access NDIS support.

The National Autism Strategy Oversight Committee has released it's draft strategy for comment.

Please review the draft strategy and be encouraged to respond. 

see

• https://engage.dss.gov.au/developing-the-national-autism-strategy/draft-strategy/ 
• https://engage.dss.gov.au/developing-the-national-autism-strategy/ 

Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4) published its report updating its views on the number of Autistic Australians who are officially identified as autistic. The numbers are substantially higher than some "authorities" claim. For example,

The NDIS Review final report is available from https://www.ndisreview.gov.au/resources/reports/working-together-deliver-ndis

It's a 338 page report. There is an infographic that might be a good introduction or summary ... for those who find those accessible.

An Easy Read version is also available. 

The federal Budget includes funding for a National Autism Strategy (NAS). Australia needs a NAS because key disability supports failed autistic Australians.

1. Australia's Disability Strategy (ADS) simply did not recognise that growing numbers of diagnosed autistic Australians need services and supports that are planned to meet their support needs.
2. when the Department of Health and Ageing created its Roadmap for People with Intellectual Disability if failed to take the opportunity to recognise and address the needs of autistic people both with and without intellectual disability, or consult with representatives from the autism sector.
3. the NDIS's war on autism does not benefit our nation. The NDIS needs to support autistic people much better than it currently does.

A recent research publication observed:

It found that ...