THE Australian Government yesterday released a new National Autism Strategy, which sets out a seven-year vision for a safe and inclusive society that supports and empowers people living with autism, giving them the opportunity to thrive.
The strategy focuses on actions and enabling change in four key outcome areas: social inclusion; economic inclusion; diagnosis, services and supports; and health and mental health, via the National Roadmap to Improve the Health and Mental Health of Autistic People (Autism Health Roadmap).
The government has pledged $42.3 million to implement the first stage of the strategy.
The strategy has been broadly welcomed by autism peak bodies and medical and community experts, with some caveats.
Clinical Psychology Professor Nicole Rinehart of Monash University hailed the bipartisan agreement to commit substantial funding to improve the lives of autistic children and their families, saying the strategy "marks an extraordinary leap forward".
However, she cautioned that without collaboration across the clinical, research and community sectors, "we could lose the opportunity to make meaningful, world-leading progress for the autism community".
The strategy acknowledges and seeks to address the structural barriers and hidden biases that have a negative impact on the life experiences of individual autistic people who face multiple and overlapping forms of disadvantage and discrimination.
This includes those with co-occurring medical and other conditions, with ADHD, anxiety, depression, migraine, metabolic syndrome, Crohn's disease, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome among the more common.
Monash's Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist David Moseley also welcomed the strategy, while "eagerly anticipating the release of the health and mental health strategy that will complement the National Autism Strategy".
"Children and adults with complex and intersecting health, disability and mental health needs face profound disadvantages," said Associate Professor Moseley.
"There is an urgent need for integrated, accessible and neuro-affirming support for this group."
The health components of the strategy will be actioned through the Autism Health Roadmap, which has not yet been finalised. KB
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