Dear The Hon. Mr C Porter MP,

Minister for Social Security



Today I spoke with Lucy in your office. She asked me to write to you.

Recently, I have been contacted about several people who were told that Centrelink has reassessed them and they no longer qualify for Disability Support Pension because they have Asperger's Syndrome.

NOVEMBER 16, Lucy Hodula

OVER the past week there have been some awful stories about parents struggling to cope on their own with children who have disabilities.

The overwhelming message from advocates is that you don’t know what goes on in other people’s homes and how hard it can be.

Lucy and Gabor Hodula know that better than most. Their 25-year-old son Mark is severely autistic, and every day is a struggle. Lucy has written this to give outsiders an insight.

***

Ehsan Knopf

A letter between a Queensland girl, born with autism, and her mother has gone viral just hours after it was shared to Facebook.

The letter, an exchange between seven-year-old Cadence and mother Angela, was written after Cadence - overwhelmed by negative news stories about children with autism - took shelter beneath her schoolteacher’s desk.

Early intervention can play a vital role in the development and wellbeing of a child with Autism, but what is the cost and who will pay for it? Dr Nancy Sadka has some answers for parents and carers.

This sparklingly humane book makes the case that there is no such thing as neurologically ‘normal’

by Steven Poole

Bill ​O'Chee

It is shocking to discover that children with disabilities are being disciplined using the same methods used by the CIA in the torture of suspected terrorists.

While the CIA's interrogation methods have attracted widespread condemnation, there has been but a muffled squeak over children with autism being locked in darkened rooms, cages or boxes in Australian primary schools.

Many children with autism are missing out on routine care such as dental check-ups and haircuts because of their condition, according to experts.

Telethon Kids Institute autism researcher Andrew Whitehouse said there were ordinary aspects of life that most people took for granted but could be highly challenging for children with autism.

Professor Whitehouse is speaking at an Autism West symposium being held in Fremantle tomorrow and Saturday.

By political reporter Dan Conifer

The Federal Government is being warned about potential cost blowouts in the $22 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The agency overseeing the NDIS said factors including the increasing prevalence of autism, workforce and supply shortages, and states shifting health costs could cause overruns.

Dear The Hon. Christian Porter MP

Recent media reports mention the increasing number of people being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and the possible impact on the NDIS. Apparently, more people are diagnosed with autism than the NDIA expected … especially in South Australia.

There are a number of issues relating to autism that we would like to raise with you. These include:

1. autism and the NDIS … particularly increasing numbers of diagnoses and the NDIA's minimal consultation with the autism community;