Disability experts are cautious of the recently announced National Autism Strategy

Posted 3 weeks ago by Georgie Waters
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Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that can impact a person’s communication and socialisation abilities. [Source: Shutterstock]
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that can impact a person’s communication and socialisation abilities. [Source: Shutterstock]

The National Autism Strategy has been announced — how will this affect people with autism spectrum disorder?

Key points:

  • The National Autism Strategy, announced today, January 14, 2025, is expected to benefit people with autism spectrum disorder but some disability experts have raised concerns
  • Monash University Psychology Professor Nicole Rinehart emphasised that collaboration is important to ensure ‘meaningful, world-leading progress for the autism community’
  • Aspect, also known as Autism Spectrum Australia, estimates that approximately one in 40 Australians have autism spectrum disorder

The Australian Government announced the first National Autism Strategy today, January 14, 2025, to better support people with autism spectrum disorder, also known as ASD, and their families. 

The recently announced strategy was guided by consultations with people who have ASD, their families, carers, researchers, experts in the disability sector and the National Autism Strategy Oversight Council

As part of the National Autism Strategy, strategies and programs will be established to improve:

  • social inclusion;
  • economic inclusion;
  • diagnoses, related services and support; and
  • general and mental health.

Over the next two years, the Australian Government has allocated $42.3 million dollars to the first Action Plan of the National Autism Strategy. 

Some of the included initiatives are:

  • community awareness and education programs;
  • a peer support program for people with ASD;
  • the re-evaluation of current programs for people with ASD; and
  • research to accurately identify how many people in Australia have ASD.

The Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth emphasised the value of the recently announced government initiative and how it is expected to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of people with ASD.

“[The] government is committed to improving the lives of the almost 300,000 autistic people living in Australia and it’s why we have delivered the first National Autism Strategy,” she said.

“Addressing the barriers autistic people face in areas like education, employment and diagnosis is long overdue and we are proud to deliver a strategy that will change lives for the better.

“This is not a strategy that has been done in isolation. It has been built in consultation and collaboration with autistic people living in Australia.

“Working with autistic people will remain key as we work to implement the goals of the strategy and the associated Action Plan — ensuring we meet the diverse needs of autistic people in Australia.”

Approximately one in 40 people in Australia have ASD as per recent estimates from Aspect, also known as Autism Spectrum Australia.

People With Disability Australia Deputy CEO Megan Spindler-Smith praised the establishment of the National Autism Strategy on the basis that people with ASD are included in the design and implementation.

“The autism community has been calling for stronger inclusion, improved diagnosis pathways and better access to services for years,” they said.

“The commitments in this strategy are promising but they need to be backed by long-term action plans that are neurodiversity affirming and genuinely co-designed with autistic people.”

Monash University Psychology Professor Nicole Rinehart also agreed experts in neurodiversity and people with lived experience should guide the National Autism Strategy.

“With the NDIS Review 2024 and the Autism Strategy 2025 both on the table — each containing critical recommendations that shift our focus back to the needs of children and families, moving away from outdated, deficit-based models of ‘fixing’ autism — I am concerned that if we do not work collaboratively across the clinical, research and community sectors, we could lose the opportunity to make meaningful, world-leading progress for the autism community.”

However, even with the Australian Government’s announcement of this strategy, Deputy CEO Spindler-Smith also raised concerns about limiting support for people with ASD in other government-funded initiatives, such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

“This strategy doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Right now, we’re seeing autistic people, especially children and young people, reassessed and removed from the NDIS at unprecedented rates with no alternative pathways to support. This feels at odds with the principles of this strategy,” Deputy CEO Spindler-Smith said.

Representatives from other disability organisations also emphasised the importance of ensuring people with ASD don’t fall through the cracks, including Autism Awareness Association Chief Executive Officer Nicole Rogerson.

“There needs to be a streamlined approach to address the funding gaps between the Commonwealth and state governments because the current changes to the NDIS are having a real impact on Australian children,” she said.

“The unintended consequence of removing Commonwealth support before the states are ready is a generation of autistic kids who don’t get the help they need.”

Although the Australian Government expects the National Autism Strategy to improve the lives of people with ASD, you can also make small changes to help people with ASD.

People living with ASD often have difficulties with communication and social interaction, including understanding jokes, sarcasm, irony and metaphors. 

Participating in conversations where they need to take turns to listen and respond to other people can be challenging and they may find it hard to read non-verbal communication cues, such as body language, gestures and eye contact.

People with ASD may not have the same symptoms or difficulties. Some may have difficulties with social interaction and repetitive or restrictive behaviours while others can function better in a social environment.

People with ASD may also experience sensory processing difficulties as well as repetitive behaviours and interests. Visit the Disability Support Guide to learn more about what autism is and the road to diagnosis.

 

What do you hope will be achieved in the National Autism Strategy?

Let the team at Disability Support Guide know on social media.

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