Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia

CYHY is an 8 year old boy who has autism, social communication disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and ADHD.

CYHY’s mother requested that he be provided with an assistance dog from Smart Pups Assistance Dogs for Special Needs Children Inc. in exchange for a “donation” of $20,000 to be funded under the NDIS.

The NDIA rejected this support, and his mother appealed the decision at the AAT.

This week the AAT overturned this decision, finding that the support of an assistance dog is reasonable and necessary.

They said:

Damian McIver

Eighteen-year-old Jake Course's life has been built around routines and familiarity.

Every day, it's toasted cheese sandwiches and raisin toast. The Wiggles and Thomas the Tank Engine. Tinkering with his dad's hot rod cars, building with Lego, and attending the Sunshine Special Developmental School in Melbourne's west.

This month, he will complete Year 12, and the school bus which has been picking him up and dropping him home for the last 13 years will come no more.

His mother Melissa Boyd has been dreading that day.

A4's interim submission on the sustainability of the NDIS is available online.

The submission contains some recent data about the number of people diagnosed formally with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and receiving either an NDIS plan or Carer's Allowance (child). These diagnosis rates are often interpreted as indicators of autism prevalence in our community.

The following data is reported in Annex A.

Grace Tame raised her voice and started a revolution that would change the national conversation. But being Australian of the Year has taken a toll.

Grace Tame has lost track of the number of speeches she’s given since being named Australian of the Year. She just knows she can’t keep up this pace forever.

On 21 October 2021, the Senate referred the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Participant Service Guarantee and Other Measures) Bill 2021 to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report.

A4 made a submission about:

Neryssa Azlan

Peta Rostirola received her COVID-19 vaccine at a mass vaccine site and thought the whole process was smooth and easy.

But when her 13-year-old son, Pablo, became eligible for the vaccine, she knew it would be a different story altogether.

Pablo is on the autism spectrum, and while experiences may vary, people on the spectrum may deal with sensory issues if they visit a new or crowded place.

Morgan Liotta

The newly developed group will deliver professional and peer support to GPs in the fields of autism, ADHD and neurodiversity.

GPs are often the first point of contact for individuals and families affected by ADHD and ASD.

Neelima Choahan

When Victoria opens up later this month, Janine Terry is scared her only son will be locked up at home forever. 

For the past five months, the 62-year-old has been desperate trying to get him vaccinated. 

Tim, 39, has severe autism, osteoporosis and epilepsy. He is also terrified of needles. 

"In May … I asked our family doctor about Tim being vaccinated," Ms Terry said.

Charlotte Gore

The ACT government's Access and Sensory Vaccination Clinic was designed to be a space to support vulnerable Canberrans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but some members of the autistic community say the facility comes up short.

Key points:

Please see below links to Easy Read COVID-19 vaccination resources now available: