On 21/5, a Senate Committee wrote to A4 …

The Senate has referred to the Committee matters relating to Special Disability Trusts for inquiry and report by 18 September 2008. The terms of reference for the inquiry are attached and are also accessible on the Committee's website at www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca as well as Part 3.18A of the Social Security Act 1991 referred to in the terms of reference.

The Committee invites you to provide a written submission addressing any or all of the issues that may be of relevance to you. The submission should be lodged with the Committee Secretary by 13 June 2008.

A4 wrote back, saying …

Thank your for inviting (21/5/2008) Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4) “to provide a written submission addressing any or all of the issues” relating to the Inquiry into Special Disability Trusts.

This invitation took us by surprise because we feel the answers are obvious in relation to people with an autism spectrum disorder and their families. However, we appreciate the opportunity to explain again the situation facing families of people with an autism spectrum disorder.

…

A4 took this opportunity to explain the lifetime experience of many people with ASD to a relative large and influential Committee. If you are interested in what A4 says to government about the lives of people with ASD and their families, please take a look at the entire letter/submission. You can download it from http://www.a4.org.au/documents/SpecialDisabilityTrusts.doc