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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Autism in the Budget 2022-23

By convenor |
text showing $5.3m for National Autism Strategy over 2 years.

The federal Budget includes funding for a National Autism Strategy (NAS). Australia needs a NAS because key disability supports failed autistic Australians.

  1. Australia's Disability Strategy (ADS) simply did not recognise that growing numbers of diagnosed autistic Australians need services and supports that are planned to meet their support needs.
  2. when the Department of Health and Ageing created its Roadmap for People with Intellectual Disability if failed to take the opportunity to recognise and address the needs of autistic people both with and without intellectual disability, or consult with representatives from the autism sector.
  3. the NDIS's war on autism does not benefit our nation. The NDIS needs to support autistic people much better than it currently does.

Increased stress and depression in parents of autistic NDIS participants

By bobb |
Olgar Tennison Autism Research Centre, lA Trobe Uni. logo

A recent research publication observed:

The rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has transformed the Australian funding landscape for individuals with disability and their families. This study examined whether the profiles of autistic children and their families accessing an early intervention (EI) setting have changed following its introduction.

It found that ...

NDIS: Participants, Process and Platform (3P) improvement initiative

By convenor |

Subject: Participants, Process and Platform (3P) improvement initiative
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2022 11:53:40 +1000
From: Bob Buckley (A4 Convenor) <convenor@a4.org.au>
To: <XXX@ndis.gov.au>

Hi XXX

I am concerned that I don't (yet?) see really basic design goals being stated for your PACE project. I would hope that the system is designed to:

Brief & meeting with Health officials - a National Autism Strategy in health and an Autism Roadmap

By convenor |

Representatives from the autism community (A4, the Australian Autism Alliance, Amaze and ASfAR) met productively with officials from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care on 1/8/2022. Prior to meeting, the group provided a Brief that contained information and issues of concern (see below).

Kids on the autism spectrum experience more bullying

By bobb |
boy huddled

Daniel Lin, Valsamma Eapen

A new study has found autism is the top risk factor for bullying among all neurodiversities.

Children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, experience various types of challenges at school. This might be due to communication, and also relationships with other children.

Accumulating evidence indicates children on the autism spectrum are more likely to be bullied.

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