Helping Children with Autism—factsheet
The Australian Government has committed $190 million over four years (to 2012) to deliver the Helping Children with Autism package to help address the considerable need for support and services for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.
The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) initiatives in the package total $146 million and are grouped under two key areas:
- 1. increased access to early intervention services for children aged zero to six years, and
2. education and support for families and carers of children with an ASD.
All initiatives will include support for families, carers and children from Indigenous, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as rural and remote areas.
What is an Autism Spectrum Disorder?
An ASD is a life-long neuro developmental disorder of unknown cause which is thought to begin at birth or shortly after. While there is no cure, there are treatments and strategies that are effective for improving the lives of children with an ASD. Children and adults continue to change and grow and many show dramatic improvements in a range of skills throughout their lives.ASDs have specific characteristics that may present in a variety of combinations and range along a continuum from mild to severe. Children with ASDs may have deficits in behavioural, communication and social interaction skills.
It is estimated that one in 160 children will have an ASD.
Why is early intervention important?
Access to high quality early intervention services is vital for children with an ASD.Providing help and support for these children early in their lives helps make it easier for them to attend school and participate in everyday life.
Following diagnosis, many parents and carers have difficulty finding the services that most benefit their child.
The high cost of intensive and targeted treatment can also be a barrier for parents and carers of children with an ASD, preventing them from accessing early intervention services.
The Australian Government will deliver up to:
- $12 000 in individual assistance for children aged six and under, diagnosed with an ASD who are not yet at school, to support the provision of structured and intensive early intervention services such as one-on-one intensive activities and tailored group and individual programs, and
- 40 Autism Advisors to assist families and carers of children diagnosed with an ASD to access advice and information about appropriate early intervention services.
Under the package, all children aged six and under who are diagnosed with an ASD and are not yet at school will be eligible for up to $12 000 in early intervention support.
An estimated 9000 children with an ASD will be eligible to receive this support before they go to school over the four years of the package.
Families living in rural and remote areas may also be able to access an additional $2000 in recognition of the challenges they face in accessing services.
This will provide these families with options for accessing early intervention services, such as accommodation and travel to and from support, as well as training, respite and resources such as books and computers to access online information.
In addition to the Helping Children with Autism package, the Australian Government is committed to establishing six new autism specific child care centres as part of the broader commitment to provide up to 260 new child care centres nationally.
What other assistance will be available through the Helping Children with Autism package?
The Australian Government will also deliver:- A national program of workshops to deliver flexible and targeted support for families and carers of children with an ASD including those from Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those living in rural and remote areas. The workshops will assist families and carers to better support their children following diagnosis and to undertake effective early intervention activities in the home. This will help families and carers to more effectively manage the pressures they face in raising their children. The workshops will also offer opportunities for families to create links within their local ASD community.
- An ASD website that provides information, online resources and interactive functions to support parents, carers and professionals. The site will provide impartial and evidence-based information about ASDs and early intervention approaches. It will also include the locations and contact details of the advisory services and approved early intervention services (searchable by postcode and shown on maps). The website will build upon the existing Raising Children website.
- One hundred and fifty playgroups for children with ASD or ASD like symptoms and their families and carers across Australia. These playgroups will offer play-based learning opportunities for children and social support networks for their families and carers.
Other measures
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is providing $23.3 million to deliver:- professional development for teachers and other school staff who are working with students with ASD to increase their understanding, skills and expertise in working with those students
- workshops and information sessions for parents and carers of school aged children with ASD to assist them to develop productive partnerships with their child's school teachers and school leaders.
The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) will contribute $20.7 million for new Medicare items.
Children aged under 13 years with autism or any other pervasive developmental disorder and their families and carers will benefit from this initiative through increased access to early diagnosis and intervention.
Medicare items will be introduced for:
- consultant physicians (paediatricians and psychiatrists) to diagnose and develop a treatment plan for children aged under 13 years on referral from a GP
- psychologists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists to provide up to four services in total per child to collaborate with the psychiatrist or paediatrician on the assessment where required
- psychologists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists to provide early intervention treatment following diagnosis (providing up to 20 services in total per child).
How will the package be implemented?
FaHCSIA, DoHA and DEEWR are working together to implement the package.FaHCSIA will:
- consult stakeholders about implementation
- undertake a provider selection process for early intervention services
- undertake a provider selection process for a national program of education and support workshops
- establish advisory services following consultation and identification of appropriate locations.
When will the package commence?
Components of this initiative were implemented from July 2008.How can I find out more?
For more information about the Helping Children with Autism package:- Visit this FaHCSIA website for regular updates or email asd@fahcsia.gov.au.
- Phone the Helping Children with Autism enquiry line on 1800 289 177.
- If you have a hearing or speech impediment, please use the National Relay Service:
- phone 1800 555 677 and ask for 1800 289 177 (visit the National Relay Service information page for more information)
- speak and listen (speech-to-speech relay) users, phone 1800 555 727 and ask for 1800 289 177 (visit the National Relay Service information page for more information)
- Internet relay users, visit the National Relay Service website and ask for 1800 289 177 (visit the National Relay Service information page for more information).
- Visit the DEEWR website or email autism@deewr.gov.au for more information on their measures.
- Visit the DoHA website for regular updates relating to Medicare items.