By convenor |

Thank you.

Bob Buckley

Mr Buckley,

I have referred your feedback to management for consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Lynch

Executive Officer

Administrative Appeals Tribunal

Principal Registry

Dear Ms Lynch

Thank you for your interest. However, I am concerned that ongoing reviews of decisions relating to young children who need early intervention are delayed indefinitely in the AAT process.

Repeated expert advice to Government is that autistic children need intensive ASD-specific early intervention for at least 2 years (see the series of booklets and reviews at the bottom of this page: http://a4.org.au/node/965). The Government's agencies (arbitrarily) cut off early intervention services at 6 years of age. So any child whose age exceeds 4 years while they are wait for an outcome from the AAT is denied the opportunity of best practice early intervention by the AAT process.

While we at A4 appreciate an opportunity to be heard on this issue, waiting for an AAT review process does not address the needs of autistic children who are currently in the system. Please can you consider what might be done to improve their situation?

Bob Buckley

Convenor, Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4)

website: http://a4.org.au/



A4 is the national grassroots organisation advocating for autistic people, their families, carers and associates. A4 is internet based so that Australians anywhere can participate.



“The first step in solving any problem is recognising there is one.” Jeff Daniels as Will McEvoy in The Newsroom.

Mr Buckley,

I refer to your correspondence, addressed to the President, dated  14 March 2018, expressing your concerns about the AAT’s procedures for NDIS reviews in relation to early intervention for autistic children.

We value your feedback on the quality of our service as it allows us to understand what is working well and where improvements can be made.  Your feedback is particularly timely as the Tribunal is commencing a project to review our procedures and current NDIS Practice Direction.  Part of that review process will involve consultation with disability advocates over the next few months and I have added your contact details to be included.

Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Lynch

Executive Officer

Administrative Appeals Tribunal

Principal Registry

A4's email (14/3/2018) to the AAT can be seen at http://a4.org.au/node/1669