News/Announcements

Joint Media Release: NDIS delivers increased pricing to support people with complex needs

People with disability with complex support needs are set to benefit from improved support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Minister for Families and Social Services Paul Fletcher today announced new pricing arrangements under the $22 billion scheme. 

“The pricing increase recognises that people with complex needs require higher levels of skilled supports in their NDIS plans,” Mr Fletcher said.

Adults on the autism spectrum prescribed mental health drugs without diagnoses

Lachlan Gilbert

Off-label prescribing of psychotropic drugs to adults on the autism spectrum could be exposing individuals to harm.

Adults on the autism spectrum are being prescribed mental health drugs in instances where there is limited supporting evidence to do so.

This was one of the findings of a UNSW-led study that looked at the use of psychotropic medication – or medication for mental health problems – by adults on the autism spectrum.

DAD... a film about autism and fatherhood

Available to watch online now!

DAD... a film about autism and fatherhood is now available to watch online! We're thrilled to share our short documentary with you all! We hope it helps dads (and mums) navigating the world of autism and parenting. Whether you're new to this or have been in it for a while, there are so many powerful messages from these twelve incredible dads that you need to hear. So please watch, share, send us your reviews... and most importantly remember, you are part of a bigger “fraternity of parents who are wonderful”

meeting request

Commonwealth crest and Paul Fletcher MP (name)

The Honourable Paul Fletcher MP
Minister for Families and Social Services

Dear The Honourable Mr Fletcher MP,

As Convenor of Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (known as A4), I write to request a meeting with you to discuss the needs of autistic Australians for Government services and supports.

National Guidelines for Autism Diagnosis

Media Release

The Autism Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) has published Australia's first National Guideline for the assessment and diagnosis of autism.

All Australians who require assessment for autism spectrum conditions are entitled to an early, affordable and comprehensive diagnostic process. The Guideline provides an opportunity to ensure a nationally consistent and equitable experience across the lifespan for families and individuals seeking a diagnosis.

Ministers welcome national guideline for autism assessment and diagnosis

Media Release

The Coalition Government has announced a new national standard for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), improving diagnostic consistency across Australia.

Minister for Families and Social Services, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, and Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, today welcomed the release of the national guideline, funded by the National Disability Insurance Agency.

About 164,000 Australians, including 136,000 children and young people under the age of 25, have ASD. That represents a 79 percent increase from 2009.

NDIS - response to "BCBAs and the NDIS pricelist"

MC18-002124

Mr Bob Buckley
Convenor
Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4) convenor@a4.org.au

Dear Mr Buckley

Thank you for your email of 11 August 2018 to the former Minister for Social Services, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and registered behavioural clinicians. Your correspondence has been referred to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) for reply. I apologise for the delay in responding.

BCBAs and the NDIS pricelist

Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2018 17:02:00 +1000
From: Bob Buckley (A4 Convenor) <convenor@a4.org.au>
Organization: Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4)
To: The Hon. Dan Tehan MP <dan.tehan.mp@aph.gov.au>
CC: Senator Carol Brown <senator.carol.brown@aph.gov.au>, The Honourable Ms Jenny Macklin MP <jmacklin.mp@aph.gov.au>, senator.steele-john@aph.gov.au

The Hon. D. Tehan MP

Dear Minister

Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4) is concerned that the NDIA does not include registered behavioural clinicians on its disability services price list. This exclusion sends a clear message to NDIS planners and delegates that they should not include behavior supports in an individual's NDIS plan. For many autistic people (and some people with other disability types) behaviour support is essential. So excluding behavioural clinicians from the NDIS price list denies many autistic people essential disability services and supports.

NSW: Inquiry into the implementation of the NDIS and the provision of disability services in New South Wales

MEDIA RELEASE

An Upper House inquiry has been established to examine the provision of disability services in New South Wales.

The Hon. Greg Donnelly MLC, Chair of the Committee said: 'The disability sector has undergone significant reform in recent years. This inquiry is an opportunity to examine a range of issues effecting the sector. A key area of interest is the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)'.

World's largest autism grant will transform research landscape

The largest research grant ever given for neurodevelopmental conditions has been awarded by the Innovative Medicines Initiative to an international consortium academically led by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London.

The €115 million grant, titled Autism Innovative Medicine Studies-2-Trials (AIMS-2-Trials), will increase our understanding of autism and help develop new therapies to improve health outcomes and quality of life for autistic people.

FoI: NDIA website mistake

Dear Mr Buckley

Re: FOI 17/18-285

Thank you for your email.

I can confirm that the Agency has received your below Freedom of Information (FOI) request and please find attached correspondence in relation to that request.

I can also confirm that the Agency has received five other requests from you seeking information under FOI, dated between 22 May 2018 and today, and will be providing responses in due course.

Timeframe for acknowledging requests

epic fail in stakeholder engagement

Subject: epic fail in stakeholder engagement
Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2018 09:28:13 +1000
From: Bob Buckley (A4 Convenor) <convenor@a4.org.au>
Organization: Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4)
To: Dr Helen Nugent OA <chair@ndis.gov.au>, CEO.OFFICE <ceo.office@ndis.gov.au>
CC: The Hon. Dan Tehan MP <dan.tehan.mp@aph.gov.au>, Seselja, Zed (Senator) <Senator.Seselja@aph.gov.au>, The Hon Jane Prentice MP <jane.prentice.mp@aph.gov.au>, senator.steele-john@aph.gov.au, Senator Carol Brown <senator.carol.brown@aph.gov.au>

Dear Dr Nugent and Mr De Luca,

I met with Ms Gunn on 29-May-2018, as you organised.

If the meeting was meant to be stakeholder engagement, then it was an epic fail.

Pages

Subscribe to News/Announcements