Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia

Tim Dornin

South Australia's autism community will get its own state government minister in a national first and a decision hailed as a major step towards greater inclusion.

Emily Bourke has been appointed assistant minister for autism in a bid to ensure people with the neurological condition are better represented.

Premier Peter Malinauskas says he has heard from many South Australians that the time has come for a dedicated effort from government to make autism a priority. 

"That is why we have created this new role," he said on Monday.

Hannah Gadsby's memoir, Ten Steps to Nanette, opens at the scene of a fancy Hollywood garden party at the home of actress Eva Longoria.

Celebrities are queuing to talk to Gadsby, whose Netflix comedy special, Nanette, had just sucker punched the world.

But the world-famous comedian extracts herself from a conversation with celebrated singer-songwriter Janelle Monáe to examine the preternaturally green lawn underfoot.

• Read more about Kids on the autism spectrum experience more bullying

Executive Summary

This submission raises issues about the experiences of NDIS participants at the Administrative Appeal Tribunal (AAT), specifically in relation to both the conduct of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and the procedures of the Tribunal itself.

Savannah Pocock

Imagine that you are a teenager lying on a hospital bed receiving an ultra-sound because your doctor thought that may you have some ovarian cysts.

Suddenly, the nurse’s eyebrows furrow as she hurriedly turns the screen away from view.

Naturally, you freak out. ‘What is it?’ you ask the nurse.

She tells you everything is okay, turns off the screen and leaves the room.

After what feels like a decade, the nurse re-enters the room and tells you that you need to meet with your doctor,

Subject: Please involve the autism community in creating a National Autism Strategy.
Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2022 13:31:52 +1000
From: Bob Buckley (A4 Convenor) <convenor@a4.org.au>
To: The Hon. Mr. Shorten MP <Bill.Shorten.MP@aph.gov.au>
CC: Senator Carol Brown <senator.carol.brown@aph.gov.au>, ...

Dear The Hon. Bill Shorten MP

When Labor won the 2022 federal election, it was committed to its National Autism Strategy (see below). The challenge for the autism community in Australia is to hold the government to delivering properly on their election promise.

Labor will take action to address outcomes for autistic Australians with:

Summary: Autistic individuals are more likely to experience chronic physical and mental health problems than their peers without ASD. Additionally, those on the autism spectrum are more likely to report inadequacies in health care services provided to them.

Source: University of Cambridge

Australia is set to develop a national autism strategy regardless of who wins the federal election — a move that has been welcomed as a "good start" to changing community attitudes ;to children and young people with a disability.

Earlier this year, a parliamentary committee that examined the services, support and life outcomes for people with autism recommended the establishment of a national strategy.

Tess Bennett

Autistic NDIS recipients are willing and able to work but fear if they get a job and lose it they will be ineligible for any future financial support from the scheme, a disabled rights activist says.

Rhett Ellis is an autistic entrepreneur with an interest in technology and cybersecurity who has lobbied the government to introduce autistic employment programs.