A4's response to the draft National Autism Strategy - abundant opportunity for improvement

By convenor |

The Department of Social Security is charged with managing the development of Australia's National Autism  Strategy.

The consultation process for the first draft strategy has closed -  see https://engage.dss.gov.au/developing-the-national-autism-strategy/

A4's "silver buckshot" response to the draft National Autism Strategy prepared by DSS staff is available from the links below.

employment and education submissions to the National Autism Strategy

By convenor |

In addition to previous submissions, A4 worked with GCG on an employment strategy. And submitted the report to the National Autism Strategy development team. 

GCG also wrote a paper on Road Map to Inclusive Education: Developing School Policy Reforms for Australian Schools (K-Y12) for the Australian Autism Alliance.

Reports provided to the National Autism Strategy (NAS)

By convenor |

As the NAS got underway, A4 provided several reports (see below).

The Autism Spectrum Disorder in Australia report describes numerous datasets relating to autism. Australia has several national datasets that include population data relating to people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. These show diagnosis rates over time, by age, etc. Some of the data is quite detailed.

interim submission on the sustainability of the NDIS

By convenor |

A4's interim submission on the sustainability of the NDIS is available online.

The submission contains some recent data about the number of people diagnosed formally with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and receiving either an NDIS plan or Carer's Allowance (child). These diagnosis rates are often interpreted as indicators of autism prevalence in our community.

The following data is reported in Annex A.