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South Australia's first Autism Strategy

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Consultation has concluded. Thanks for your contributions.

It is time to move beyond talking about creating autism awareness. It is time to build knowledge, understanding and acceptance to create lasting, and long overdue, cultural change across the South Australian community. 


What's being decided?

The State Government has listened to the calls from the South Australian Autistic and autism communities and has committed to co-designing with them the state’s first Autism Strategy (the Strategy) and Charter (the Charter). Meaningful cultural change and greater inclusion in our community can only come about by consulting, listening, and creating open dialogue with the Autistic and autism communities.

The Strategy will support a dedicated whole of Government approach to create a fairer and more inclusive society. The development and creation of the Strategy is an important step towards creating a more inclusive and knowledgeable society where Autistic people can meaningfully participate in the community.

Consultation

On 25 November 2022, the South Australian Government launched the State’s first Autism Strategy - Discussion Paper (including an Easy Read version) to support the consultation process. During the consultation process, Autistic people, parents and carers, non-government organisations, public sector agencies, local councils and other interested parties were invited to participate and have their voices heard in a range of ways, including:

•    YourSAy engagement

•    attending community forums/meetings

•    providing a written, video, verbal and/or drawing submission

•    contacting DHS directly via email and/or telephone.


Responses to the Discussion Paper

South Australia’s First Autism Strategy Discussion Paper – Consultation Report 2023 has been published after formal endorsement by the State Autism Strategy Advisory Committee. It captures what we heard from the Autistic and autism communities, via YourSAy, submissions and many direct discussions.

Public consultation on the Discussion Paper attracted record engagement with over 1200 responses, and 33* per cent of YourSAy responses coming from Autistic people.

View the full Consultation Report in print, accessible and Easy Read formats.

Consultation enquiries

If you have a consultation enquiry enquiries, please email: SAAutismStrategy@sa.gov.au.

What's next

A draft Charter and Strategy is currently in development and will undergo further consultation later in the year.

*We recognise that there may be people who are currently undiagnosed or do not feel comfortable disclosing their diagnosis and that this number may therefore not be representative of the total number of Autistic people who completed the YourSAy survey.

It is time to move beyond talking about creating autism awareness. It is time to build knowledge, understanding and acceptance to create lasting, and long overdue, cultural change across the South Australian community. 


What's being decided?

The State Government has listened to the calls from the South Australian Autistic and autism communities and has committed to co-designing with them the state’s first Autism Strategy (the Strategy) and Charter (the Charter). Meaningful cultural change and greater inclusion in our community can only come about by consulting, listening, and creating open dialogue with the Autistic and autism communities.

The Strategy will support a dedicated whole of Government approach to create a fairer and more inclusive society. The development and creation of the Strategy is an important step towards creating a more inclusive and knowledgeable society where Autistic people can meaningfully participate in the community.

Consultation

On 25 November 2022, the South Australian Government launched the State’s first Autism Strategy - Discussion Paper (including an Easy Read version) to support the consultation process. During the consultation process, Autistic people, parents and carers, non-government organisations, public sector agencies, local councils and other interested parties were invited to participate and have their voices heard in a range of ways, including:

•    YourSAy engagement

•    attending community forums/meetings

•    providing a written, video, verbal and/or drawing submission

•    contacting DHS directly via email and/or telephone.


Responses to the Discussion Paper

South Australia’s First Autism Strategy Discussion Paper – Consultation Report 2023 has been published after formal endorsement by the State Autism Strategy Advisory Committee. It captures what we heard from the Autistic and autism communities, via YourSAy, submissions and many direct discussions.

Public consultation on the Discussion Paper attracted record engagement with over 1200 responses, and 33* per cent of YourSAy responses coming from Autistic people.

View the full Consultation Report in print, accessible and Easy Read formats.

Consultation enquiries

If you have a consultation enquiry enquiries, please email: SAAutismStrategy@sa.gov.au.

What's next

A draft Charter and Strategy is currently in development and will undergo further consultation later in the year.

*We recognise that there may be people who are currently undiagnosed or do not feel comfortable disclosing their diagnosis and that this number may therefore not be representative of the total number of Autistic people who completed the YourSAy survey.

Consultation has concluded. Thanks for your contributions.

  • The Discussion Paper Consultation Report highlights key issues experienced by the Autistic and autism communities

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    On 25 November 2022, the South Australian Government launched a public consultation on South Australia’s First Autism Strategy Discussion Paper.

    A Discussion Paper Consultation Report has now been published after formal endorsement by the State Autism Strategy Advisory Committee. The Consultation Report captures what we heard via YourSAy and the many direct discussions with the Autistic and autism communities.

    Public consultation on South Australia’s First Autism Strategy Discussion Paper attracted record engagement with over 1200 responses and 33 per cent of YourSAy responses from Autistic people.

    Who shared their views on YourSAY?

    We received at total of 1070 responses via YourSAy, 354* were from Autistic people and 716 were from non-Autistic people. Many responses represented the views of diverse populations and highlighted the diverse and intersecting experiences of Autistic people and their families.

    17 responses from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

    • 9 – Autistic person
    • 16 – non-Autistic person.

    185 responses from LGBTIQA+ people

    • 153 – Autistic person
    • 32 – non-Autistic person.

    62 responses from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people

    • 23 – Autistic person
    • 39 – non-Autistic person.

    90 responses from young people

    • 75 – Autistic person
    • 19 – non-Autistic person.

    *We recognise that there may be people who are currently undiagnosed or do not feel comfortable disclosing their diagnosis and that this number may therefore not be representative of the total number of Autistic people who completed the YourSAy survey.

    What did people tell us?

    Some key issues emerged as being particularly important to the Autistic and autism communities:

    • Improved community attitudes, awareness, and education
    • Improvements in support, attitudes, knowledge, and understanding in education settings
    • Improved employment opportunities and support
    • Improved access and affordability of diagnosis
    • Support for parents, carers, and guardians for Autistic children and adults
    • Safe, sensory friendly spaces and an autism inclusive community
    • Listening to Autistic voices and ongoing collaboration and consultation with the Autistic and autism communities
    • Recognising individual diversity and the range of Autistic experiences, as well as addressing the needs of Autistic people across the lifespan.


    View the full Consultation Report in print, accessible and Easy Read formats.


  • SA Autism Strategy Online Forum

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    About this event

    Members of the autistic and autism communities are invited to participate in an online forum on Monday 13th February 2023.

    The forum will be facilitated by Gold Foundation, a not-for-profit on a mission to support and empower young autistic people and their families.

    What is happening?

    The State Government has commenced public consultations with the autistic and autism communities to co-design the state’s first Autism Strategy (the Strategy) and Autism Charter.

    The development and creation of the Strategy is an important step towards creating a more knowledgeable and inclusive community where autistic people can meaningfully participate.

    Event

    In order to inform the development of the Strategy, we want to hear about your experiences and ideas to support the autistic and autism communities in South Australia.

    Forum details

    The forum will be delivered in a facilitated workshop format discussing key topics from South Australia's first Autism Strategy - Discussion Paper (669 KB) (pdf) that have been identified by the autistic and autism communities, including community attitudes, and health and wellbeing.

    Date: Monday, 13 February 2023

    Time: 4 pm to 6 pm

    Venue: Online via Zoom

    Registration deadline: Sunday, 12 February 2023, or until sold out.

    To prepare for the forum

    We ask that you view the South Australia’s First Autism Strategy – Discussion Paper in printable PDF or Easy English formats.

    Places are limited. Register now!

    Register to attend the online forum

  • Autism Strategy - Parents and Carers Forum

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    Be part of shaping the state's first Autism Strategy

    Parents and carers of an autistic person, including child, young person or adult are invited to participate in a Parents and Carers forum on Friday 17 February 2023.

    What is happening?

    The State Government has commenced public consultations with the autistic and autism communities to co-design the state’s first Autism Strategy (the Strategy) and Autism Charter.

    The development and creation of the Strategy is an important step towards creating a more knowledgeable and inclusive and community where autistic people can meaningfully participate.

    Event

    In order to inform the development of the Strategy, we want to hear about your experiences and ideas to support the autistic and autism communities in South Australia.

    Forum details

    The forum will be delivered in a facilitated workshop format, where each participant will be assigned to a roundtable group discussion (8-10 people), and each table focuses on 4 questions from South Australia's first Autism Strategy - Discussion Paper (669 KB) (pdf). Questions to be discussed at the forum will be provided to attendees in advance of the session.

    We will explore a range of priority issues that have been identified by the autistic and autism communities, including access to government services, community attitudes, safety, equity, health and wellbeing.

    Date: Friday, 17 February 2023

    Time: 9:30am to 12 pm

    Venue: Adelaide Zoo, Sanctuary Room – 1 Plane Tree Dr, Adelaide SA 5000

    Registration deadline: Friday, 10 February 2023

    To prepare for the forum

    We ask that you please visit the YourSAy consultation platform to view South Australia’s First Autism Strategy – Discussion Paper in printable PDF and Easy English formats.

    Places are limited. Register now!

    Register to attend the forum