Autism/ASD prevalence in Australia ... up to 2012 - APAC'13 presentation

By bobb |

Bob Buckley's presentation at the Asia Pacific Autism Conference 2013 (APAC'13), entitled Data describing Autism Spectrum Disorder in Australia: information relating to diagnoses, prevalence, service access and outcomes, continues a series of presentations describing data, mainly from government sources, that indicate the number of people in Australia diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and some relevant outcome measures. The presentation shows:

DisabilityCare (NDIS) start: with serious initial concerns relating to people with autism/ASD

By bobb |

DisabilityCare, the renamed and emerging NDIS, "launched" in a number of locations (states?). Now we start to see how it is being implemented. Our hope is that the scheme will be genuinely person-centred: that is, it will focus on identifying and meeting the needs of each person (individual) with a disability. Our particular concerns relate to people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

NDIS will cover cost of autism treatment

By bobb |


Kathryn Wicks, Dan Harrison

The national disability insurance scheme will cover ''most'' people with autism and could pay the full cost of early intervention programs, Disability Reform Minister Jenny Macklin has declared in the latest clue as to what the $22 billion-a-year scheme will cover.

see also NDIS should include autism: Abbott.

Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders

By convenor |

Prime Minister Gillard announced $31 million for a CRC for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (see http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/70-million-boost-world-class-research). This is a welcome move from the Gillard Government.

"The implementation of a highly innovative 'whole-of-life' research portfolio will deliver a continuum of support required for people with Autism to participate successfully in education, employment and all facets of the community."

Australia: at last, a Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Autism

By convenor |

At last! The Australian Government decided to fund a Co-operative Research Centres (CRC) for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

"The CRC for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders will receive $31 million to enhance the lives of individuals with lifelong development disabilities arising from an autism spectrum disorder." (see http://minister.innovation.gov.au/chrisbowen/MediaReleases/Pages/70mill…).

autism prevalence continues to rise in Australia - ASfAR Conference 2012 presentation

By bobb |

The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders continues to grow in Australia.

A presentation at the inaugural ASfAR conference (7/12/2012) shows the national average autism prevalence in school age children exceeded 1.4% (1 in 62.5) by June 2012, based on Centrelink Carer Allowance data. These Centrelink data were described previously as the best available indication of autism prevalence in Australia.

The growth continues a pattern described previously (see http://a4.org.au/a4/node/389).

A4 submission on health and medical research in Australia

By convenor |

A4 sent a submission to the the Review of Health and Medical Research in Australia (see http://www.mckeonreview.org.au/).

The submission suggests that research funding has a greater chance of having more impact when it is addresses health issues with higher "burden of disease and injury". It mentions that autism has a high burden for children (highest for boys), based on the available evidence ... yet very little of Australia's health and medical research funding is spent on autism.