Helping Children with Autism - frequently asked questions

Who will the initiatives help?

The initiatives target children aged zero to six years diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families and carers, specifically:

children aged zero to six years diagnosed with an ASD and prior to starting school will be eligible for funding to increase access to early intervention services
families and children aged zero to six years with an ASD or ASD-like symptoms will be able to access targeted playgroups across Australia
a national program of autism advisory services that assist families and carers of children diagnosed with an ASD.

The initiatives will provide:

an ASD website with information, online resources and other interactive functions for parents, carers and professionals and
a national program of workshops for families and carers of children aged zero to six years with an ASD including families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those living in rural and remote areas.

The initiatives address the considerable need for support and services for children with an ASD and aim to have a positive impact on long-term life outcomes. The initiatives also provide much needed support to families and carers including support for Indigenous families, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people living in rural and remote areas.

My child is over six years old, can I still access the services under the Helping Children with Autism package?

Research has shown that two years of early intervention prior to a child starting school makes a substantial contribution to their development. Access to early intervention services under the Helping Children with Autism package will be limited to children with an ASD diagnosis aged zero to six years and not yet at school.

People of all ages with ASD and their families and carers will benefit from access to the ASD website which is funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

You may be able to access other components of the package offered by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA).

You may also be able to access existing services provided by the state and territory government. For more information you could contact the autism peak body in your state or territory.

What other support is available to families and carers of children with an Autism Specific Disorder?

Other services and support available to children or adults with an ASD, their families and carers include:

The Respite Support for Carers of Young People with Severe or Profound Disability Program assists carers of young people. The focus is on carers of young people with a disability where the care recipient is under 30 years of age. However, respite assistance may be provided to carers who experience significant stress where the care recipient is under 65 years of age. The program is delivered through a national network of 55 Commonwealth Carelink Centres.
Other non-financial assistance for parents and carers is also available through Commonwealth Carelink Centres (phone 1800 052 222).
Financial assistance for carers of people with disability or severe medical conditions in the form of Carer Payment and Carer Allowance (for more information about these payments visit Centrelink's website (phone 132 717).
There are a range of other support services available and Autism associations in each state and territory that can assist to identify local providers.

When will the services be available?

Education and support for families and carers

A provider to deliver a national program of workshops to support families and carers of children diagnosed with an ASD will be announced at the end of September 2008 and
A website providing information, online resources and interactive functions to support professionals and parents and carers of children with an ASD will be operational from February 2009.

Autism advisory services

A national program of autism advisory services will be available from October 2008.

ASD specific playgroups

Playgroup Australia is the national provider for the ASD specific playgroups which will be progressively rolled out from October 2008. They are called PlayConnect playgroups and are available to children with ASD or ASD like symptoms. Children do not require a formal diagnosis to attend PlayConnect Playgroups. For further information regarding these playgroups please contact Playgroup Australia on (07) 3394 8448 or email info@playgroupaustralia.com.au.

Early intervention

It is expected that approved early intervention service providers will be announced in September and available from October 2008.

I am a service provider. Where can I apply for funding to provide services under the FaHCSIA component of the Helping Children with Autism package?