The following list shows A4's recent advocacy. This list contains both publications (including briefs and submissions) and communications (letters & emails).

To find a (free) disability advocate to help you, try:

The Assembly - ABC casting

By bobb |
ABC logo

Hi Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia

My name is Catherine and I am the Casting Director for The Assembly TV documentary series on ABC.  We were in contact for S1 and I wanted to let you know that we have started casting for the second series. We are offering autistic people with an interest in journalism the opportunity to take part and I was hoping you could help me share the news.

NDIS sabotaging support for autistic participants with high and complex needs

By bobb |
stylised man walking on rope over chasm - big hand coming down with scissors to cut the rope from under him

The NDIS has achieved a new low: its Fraud Fusion Taskforce or some other internal “integrity” unit is sabotaging supports for some autistic NDIS participants with high and complex needs.

A4 received evidence that a secret entity in the NDIA is withholding payments for essential supports for NDIS participants with high and complex needs including supports that the NDIS agreed to provide in AAT s42C settlements.

SWAN: Submission on Foundational Supports

By bobb |
SWAN: South West Autism Network logo

Executive Summary 

The South West Autism Network (SWAN) supports the introduction of General Foundational Supports but expresses significant concerns about the proposed rollout's practicality, pace, and potential risks. This submission highlights the importance of a co-designed, inclusive, and equitable approach that places people with disability and their families at the centre of all planning and implementation. 

Key concerns include: 

NDIS data show declining autism diagnoses in young Australians

By convenor |
NDIS logo

The proportion of young children (age 0 to 6 years) diagnosed with autism in the NDIS has declined significantly since the full roll-out of the NDIS. The number of autistic NDIS participants aged 0-6 years old in the NDIS decreased 32% in the 2 years from 30/9/2022 to 30/9/2024.

The following chart shows the number of children in the NDIS with different types of "primary disability" according to data published by the NDIS on their website. 

Updated data ... Dec 2024

2024 - Making an effective National Autism Strategy; sector expectations and requirements

By convenor |
report from cover - Making an effective National Autism Strategy; sector expectations and requirements

Bob Buckley provided the submission below to the Oversight Committee of the National Autism Strategy (NAS) and the relevant Ministers. 

It was written quickly ... with less consultation than is ideal. While it's his submission, a summary of the issues raised was shared with A4's Management Group who provided input towards the submission.

A4 provided detailed commenatry on parts of the Health working group's draft Health Roadmap for Autism. 

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