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National Autism Strategy opens the way for a NSW Strategy

National Autism Strategy opens the way for a NSW Strategy
In January the Albanese Labor Government released the National Autism Strategy for an inclusive society where Autistic people are supported to thrive in all aspects of life, in line with international human rights.
I welcome this landmark announcement that I have been eagerly waiting for and for which I have always advocated.
The National Strategy was developed following the inquiry by the Senate Select Committee on Autism that highlighted the serious challenges faced by autistic people and their families in Australia.
Autistic people have a life expectancy more than 20 year shorter than the general population, an unemployment rate almost eight times the general population, and experience high levels of social exclusion, discrimination, loneliness and isolation.
In announcing the strategy the Federal Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth said addressing the barriers Autistic people face in areas like education, employment and diagnosis was long overdue.
The National Autism Strategy and Action plan focuses on four key reform areas: social inclusion; economic inclusion; diagnosis, services and support; and health.
The First Action Plan includes$42.3million in funding for programs including:
- a peer support program to provide lived-experience knowledge, empathy and culturally tailored advice for Autistic people in groups they resonate with. Something that more formal systems might not be able to offer;
- Enhancing community understanding, awareness and acceptance of Autism through new awareness and education initiatives;
- Improving the diagnosis process through resources to support Autistic people and their families with pre- and post-diagnosis information;
- Boosting pathways to meaningful employment.
- a dedicated knowledge translation body, which will ensure academic research into neurodiversity informs and improves the policies and services impacting Autistic people’s lives day to day;
- Identifying ways to improve Australian Government services, supports, information and the safety and welfare of Autistic people;
- a comprehensive epidemiological study to identify the true prevalence of autism in Australia, which will underpin future policy development.

Sue Edmonds from Friends of Nimbin Pool joined Janelle Saffin MP and Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg for the ceremonial sod turning for the long-awaited toilet block at Nimbin Pool.
The National Autism Strategy together with its first action plan, means I now will be able to better encourage a comprehensive response at a regional and state level.
The National Strategy points out the areas where the states deliver services including public hospital, community health services, schools, pre-schools and TAFE, police and courts and correctional centres, public transport, child protection, domestic and family violence services, and major sporting facilities.
This list makes it clear we now need a strategy at the state level.
I have long been pushing for a NSW Autism Strategy in the Parliament and have supported local advocates who have been calling for this because I understand the significant challenges faced by autistic people in our community, particularly in regional areas.
Three years ago I hosted a roundtable discussion on autism in my office and from that meeting the seeds were sown for the Northern Rivers Autism Association Limited (NRAA).
I acknowledge the Founder and Chair of NRAA) Micheal Lynch, who with Business NSW’s Regional Director Northern Rivers Jane Laverty, drove local consultations which helped to inform the national strategy.
Like me, Micheal is very keen to see the first NSW Autism Strategy become a reality.
For more local news, click here.
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