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.

Steve Robson

The NDIS is an easy target. It isn’t perfect, but it’s so much better than not having an NDIS. Time for some rational discussion and dealing with the real issues and not the political ones.

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.

Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2025 10:11:11 +1100
From: Bob Buckley <convenor@a4.org.au>
Subject: urgent meeting request - NDIS impairment categories and autism
To: minister.rishworth@dss.gov.au, Amanda.Rishworth.MP@aph.gov.au 

Dear Minister

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.

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