cruel NDIS policy targets the most autistic and vulnerable NDIS participants

By convenor |

NDIS policy (AAT Case Management Guide Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) - see below) fails some of the youngest and most severely autistic NDIS participants. Clinicians advise that some children with severe/profound or classic autism need intensive early intervention for their autism. NDIS policy (see below) says funding for the required early intervention depends on families winning a case against the government in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

ABC RN: Concern as RFK Jr declares US will find 'cause' of autism in months

By bobb |

The US Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, has boldly predicted the US will have found the cause of autism by September.

Mr Kennedy has launched a study to investigate what he calls the autism "epidemic", prompting concerns in the medical industry that it may only serve to promote spurious claims linking autism to vaccines, which Mr Kennedy has long supported.

Outgoing senior US health official Dr Peter Marks has said overnight that it amounts to giving people false hope. 

Long delays in autism diagnosis hurting children’s future

By bobb |

STEPHEN LUNN

The earlier an autistic child is diagnosed, the better their long-term outcomes. So why are initial diagnoses taking longer and longer?

Almost one in three families is waiting more than two years for a diagnosis for their autistic child, significantly more than a decade ago, a new survey finds.

And getting the right support at school for children with autism is a parent or carer’s biggest worry, it concludes.

hoping for a better Administrative Review Tribunal

By bobb |

Dear Justice Kyrou and Mr Michael Hawkins

I write about some of the operations of the NDIS Division of the new Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). 

I am a volunteer advocate and have now helped over 60 NDIS participants in their requests for the AAT and ART to review the statements of participant supports (SOPS) in their NDIS Plans. These have mostly been reviews of plans for young autistic NDIS participants.

National Autism Roadmap: Nice vision, but where is the funding?

By convenor |

Media Release

Autistic Australians and their carers are calling for answers after a long-awaited plan to address the disparities in healthcare for Autistic individuals was today released by the Australian Government's Department of Health, with the disclaimer that funding is yet to be secured. 

The roadmap, which was drafted in December 2024 was reviewed by Minister Rishworth and Minister Butler before reaching the Prime Minister’s desk, who declined funding under his government.

Is generic speech therapy for autistic children evidence-based?

By bobb |

Answer: it appears not.

Recently, the NDIS was unable to provide any evidential basis for having generic speech or occupational therapy listed as a support for autistic children - see https://a4.org.au/node/2674

There are various other examples where evidence supporting generic speech therapy is missing. These include research reviews for Australian Government agencies - in particular