A4 received the following response to a Freedom of Information request. This response is alarming because it shows the NDIA just made up the criteria and amounts for its 4 levels of early intervention support for autistic children in its consultation paper (see links below).

The whole disability sector opposes the NDIA's plans for so-called "Independent Assessments". The logos of some of the first organisations to support this joint statement are seen here.

Their Joint Statement is available from https://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/ndis-sector-statement/.

The Victorian Royal Commission released its report. It is available from: https://finalreport.rcvmhs.vic.gov.au/

The report is in 5 volumes and 4 appendices. It is a big report: the volumes range from 36Mb to 54Mb.

Very little of the report relates to autistic Victorians.

Shaun Heasley

The vast majority of children with autism have at least one mental health condition too, new research suggests.

Almost 78% of kids on the spectrum are diagnosed with some type of mental health condition and almost half have two or more. Even among preschool-age children with autism, 44.8% have such conditions.

By contrast, just 14.1% of young people without autism have mental health conditions.