14 days after the release of Australia's National Autism ¾-Strategy (NA¾S), the Government released its 2024 update to Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-31 (ADS). 

In respect of the ADS, the NA¾S said: 

The Evaluation Good Practice Guide Checklist developed under ADS will underpin the approach to [NA¾S] evaluation activities. 

and 

On the 14/1/2025, DSS Minister Rishworth and the federal government released ¾ of its National Autism Strategy (NA¾S)^[1]. While we welcome the limited progress planned, we note that the 4th part of a full strategy, the so-called Health Roadmap for Autism, is missing. Also, DSS officials who wrote the ¾-Strategy failed to address many fundamental issues that need urgent action. In its current form, the NA¾S is deeply disappointing to say the very least.

Autistic Australians have long faced systemic neglect, with their specific needs often overlooked or diluted under broader, generalized policies. While neurodiversity has gained recognition, we must be clear: the needs of Autistic people are unique and cannot be swept under the umbrella of neurodiversity. To do so risks erasing our voices and our experiences.

Dear Minister,
As parents of an inspiring young man with Profound Autism , we have taken a keen interest in the development of the National Autism Strategy. We appreciate the efforts of many involved, and the commitment to provide a national strategy. We have contributed extensively to the Senate Select Committee on Autism and to the NAS (before and after the draft).

Grace Tame

There’s more than one way to clear a pathway. Personally, as a sworn enemy of the leaf blower, I prefer methods that aren’t loud, lazy, clunky and repetitious.

Speaking of bureaucracy, this week the federal government’s Department of Social Services released its first-ever official National Autism Strategy and corresponding action plan.