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

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Medical Journal - Autism spectrum disorder: A guide for physicians to help families

By bobb |

Increased awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is placing huge demands on health care systems and health care professionals to help children and their families cope with the disorder. A comprehensive evidence-based review published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) aims to help physicians provide appropriate medical support to families of children with ASD, from detection to treatment.

Abbott Government ignores completely stakeholder advice on disability employment

By bobb |

Following misinformation in the media (see http://a4.org.au/a4/node/742), A4 wrote to the newly elected Prime Minister warning about policy that vilifies people with severe and profound disability for being unemployed.

This information is essential for the Treasurer and the Finance Minister ... but the Prime Minister's office chose to not send the letter to most of the key agencies and Ministers. Apparently, they sent it only to the Department of Social Services. The Social Services Department's response (download below) shows little or no recognition of the letter's content.

Inclusionists: faith vs evidence

By bobb |

Inclusionists believe “inclusive education” is the best way, well really the only way, to educate every student, including every student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Inclusionists simply have faith. They ignore evidence that does not support their faith. They usually lack tolerance for anyone who criticises, or even questions, the total supremacy of “inclusive education”. Many students with ASD benefit from, even thrive through, “inclusive education”. Sadly, most students with ASD are currently educated in an “inclusive” mainstream setting but have abysmal outcomes1; outcomes that are typically far worse than students with disability generally. The data (evidence) is clear.

Meeting request - Senator Fifield about the NDIS

By convenor |

A4 requested a meeting with Senator Fifield, Assistant Minister for Social Services (responsible for Disability Services), to discuss how to improve the NDIS for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

A4 shares some of the concerns raised in The Australian (see http://a4.org.au/a4/node/756) relating to people with Intellectual Disability; at least 30% of people with autism, often severe autism, also have an intellectual disability so we can expect to have some common concerns/issues. A4 and also has concerns that specifically relate to autism.

UK Conference on autism in the legal system

By bobb |

The first of two Autism and the Criminal Justice System (CJS) Project conferences was held on 19 September 2013 at Greater Manchester Police Training Centre, Sedgley Park.

Those attending included members of the judiciary, barristers, solicitors, senior police officers, intermediaries, social care commissioners, victim support advisors, psychiatrists, psychologists, representatives from the Department of Health and the Ministry of Justice and representatives from autism charities.

to the Prime Minister: please avoid the usual Government vilification of people with disability

By convenor |

A4 sent the following message to the Prime Minister in response to the usual media attacks on people with disability.

Dear Prime Minister Abbott

I write hoping to head off yet another round of Government vilifying people with disability.

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).

Access to justice in the criminal justice system for people with disability

By convenor |

A4's submission/feedback on the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Issues Paper on "Access to justice in the criminal justice system for people with disability" (see https://www.humanrights.gov.au/access-justice-criminal-justice-system-p…) can be downloaded below.

A4 highlights that for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Australia does not have a "justice system", what it has is a legal system; a system of legal processes that rarely delivers justice for people with ASD.

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