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Entering high school next year, Stutti worries about whether Khush will “blend into the mainstream so he can make good friendships”.
Khush Patel was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD at a young age. Source: SBS News
But she feels lucky that Khush is growing up in Australia rather than at home in India.
It’s hoped Australia’s first National Autism Strategy, developed by the federal government in consultation with members of the autistic community and announced Tuesday, will help to improve the lives of people like Khush.
What’s in the National Autism Strategy?
It makes 22 commitments to improve the lives of autistic people in four key areas:
- social inclusion
- economic inclusion
- diagnosis, services and support
- health and mental health (this area will be addressed through a separate roadmap, which is yet to be finalised)
The government has committed $42.3 million towards implementing the first phase of the strategy, including:
- Up to $19.9 million over four years for a peer support program to provide autistic people with “lived-experience knowledge, empathy and culturally tailored advice”
- Up to $12.2 million over five years for a dedicated body to translate autism-related research into practical, evidence-based tools and guidance for policymakers and service providers
- Up to $3.7 million over two years to evaluate existing programs aimed at improving autistic people’s lives
- Up to $2.8 million over four years for an epidemiological study to establish the true prevalence of autism in Australia
- Up to $915,000 over two years for new awareness and education initiatives to “enhance community understanding … and acceptance” of autism
- Up to $445,000 for 2025-26 for new pre- and post-diagnosis resources for autistic people and their families.
The move brings Australia in line with countries such as the United States, Canada and England, which have all launched their own national autism strategies.
Why is a National Autism Strategy needed?
As with symptoms, the types and levels of support autistic people need can vary — not just from person to person, but also throughout an individual’s life.
Autistic people are also almost six times more likely to be unemployed than people without disability, and are at a higher risk of homelessness, suicide, sexual assault and harassment, and premature death than non-autistic people.
Source: SBS News
“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,” Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said on Tuesday.
“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.”
Will the National Autism Strategy actually change anything?
“There’s kind of no point having lots of lovely lofty goals about employment accessibility when we’re not going to support children well through school. If you don’t have a successful early intervention when you’re little and successful years at school, your chances of employment are pretty far-fetched.”
According to Rogerson, the lack of educational support in the framework means that early intervention will only be accessible to a few.
“We know that it won’t capture every issue that people actually identified and that there will be some disappointment, but it is a fantastic foundation to improve and grow upon.”
