PRESS RELEASE

Autism Victoria has a mixed response to the State Budget.

Autism Victoria is pleased to note State Government has recognized the unique nature of
Autism Spectrum Disorders and has allocated a small amount of funding to provide increased resources to support early intervention, training and co-ordination of service provision.It was also encouraging to note the Minister, whilst providing the budget briefing,
indicated and acknowledged the budget initiatives were the first step in the broader
strategy of implementing the goals of the Autism State Plan.In saying that and recognising this is a positive first step Autism Victoria had been expecting a greater commitment by State Government to funding the new initiatives called for in the Autism State Plan.

The State Budget announcements are focusing on the existing service system and it is the
opinion of Autism Victoria that greater emphasis could have been placed on new initiatives
that will deliver on the expectations of families and individuals.

Autism Victoria is keen to see State Government release the Autism State Plan as a matter of some urgency and it is the expectation of the Autism Spectrum Disorders community that an additional number of new initiatives be funded at the time of the launch.It is recognized by Autism Victoria the current economic climate, coupled with the impact of the Bushfires in Victoria, does not lend itself to major new initiatives. However in saying that it is also important to note that Autism Spectrum Disorders are not something new.

Families and individuals live with Autism Spectrum Disorders everyday despite the state of the economy or natural disasters. Their needs can only be addressed by an ongoing comprehensive commitment by the State Government.The Autism Community made a major commitment to supporting government develop the Autism State Plan and it would clearly be seen as a sign of good faith if Government increased funding for Autism specific services.

Murray Dawson-Smith
Chief Executive Officer
ceo@autismvictoria.org.au

BUDGET BRIEFING PAPER

The State Budget was announced on Tuesday and briefing sessions were held at which AV staff attended both the DHS Briefing session and the DEECD briefing session.

In short the outcomes specifically targeted at Autism Spectrum Disorders includes a small
amount of new monies from the Department of Human Services and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

The announcements have been assessed and there is $8.27 million in new monies announced for Autism Spectrum Disorder initiatives.

The programs funded include $4.2 million for mental health service enhancement to improve service quality, support staff training and provide greater access to mental health services particularly for young children and adolescents.

A further $4.1 million has been provided to improve support to pre-school children and young Victorians of school age and to provide staff development opportunities including secondary consultation and mentoring.In effect these initiatives are aimed primarily at the professional support system and include:

• The creation of 15 “co-ordinator” positions to manage the assessment and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

• $2.3 million for 100 scholarships for education staff to undertake a vocational graduate diploma in autism

• $600,000 for autism training mentoring and resources.

• $550,000 for regional ASD plans to address service gaps and build system capacity to support children with autism

• Approximately $700,000 to better co-ordinate autism services for pre-school children and transition into schools and training for pre-school teachers

I would also ask that it be noted that although these are the only Autism specific initiatives announced in the Budget briefing it is important that Autism Victoria not lose sight of other more general announcements that will potentially be of benefit to the Autism community.

In particular I refer to the announcement of:

• $21.3 million for the new “Early in Life” program which includes $13.8 million for early intervention and outreach services and $4.5 million for two new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Schools Early Action teams.

• $9 million has also been committed to reforming early childhood intervention and ongoing
  support services for children and young people with disabilities or developmental delays

• * $59.1 million for the Disability Reform program

It should also be noted that additional opportunities are possible through other budget funding announcements and the challenge for Autism Victoria is how to influence the
allocation of these funds to ensure spending recognises the unique needs of the Autism
Spectrum Disorders community.

Overall, the budget outcomes have not been as positive as many had anticipated. In saying
that it should be noted the positive outcomes are that Government has endorsed the adoption of an Autism State Plan and has acknowledged through a funding commitment the need to provide specific programs for our community.

Although funding announcements were not perhaps as generous as many people had anticipated it should also be noted the Minister advised, at the budget briefing, when the Autism State Plan is launched (hopefully in the near future) additional funding initiatives and announcements will be made.In particular Autism Victoria is keen to see initiatives that target people transitioning into Adulthood and particularly support for employment options as well as support services to older people with Autism Spectrum Disorders including new innovations for housing.

Autism Victoria looks forward to the launch of the Autism State Plan to better gauge the intent and commitment of Government to the implementation of a Whole of Government/Whole of Life Autism State Plan based on a Quality of Life framework.

MARY & MAX

Autism Victoria is proud to present Mary and Max in conjunction with the Rivoli, the Sun, the Westgarth and the Palace George theatres to help celebrate Autism Awareness month
throughout May. Please click here for a review of the film.

Mary & Max is an Australian made claymation film which highlights many of the difficulties faced by those with Asperger Syndrome.We invite you to our "North/East/South/West" screenings of the film. Tickets are only $5 each so get in quickly!!

Session Details

Rivoli Theatre
200 Camberwell Rd, East Hawthorn
Tuesday 19th May at 7pm

Palace George Theatre
135 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
Saturday 23rd May 2-2.30pm (exact time to be advised 1 week prior to event)

Sun Theatre
8 Ballarat St, Yarraville
Tuesday 26th May at 1pm

Westgarth Theatre
89 High St, Northcote
Saturday 30th May 4-4.30pm (exact time to be advised 1 week prior to event)

Bookings are essential.

It is preferable that payment is made prior to the event. You are more than welcome to pay
for and pick up your tickets from Autism Victoria and use this opportunity to view the new
building and have a browse through the resource library. Our new address is 24 Drummond St Carlton South.
Alternatively, you may send payment through to us by mail (cash) or credit card with the
payment slip below with:

• details of the number of tickets required

• which session you are interested in attending

• along with a contact name, email address and/or phone number

You may also book over the phone using your credit card.

If you choose these options you may pick your tickets up to 15 minutes before the screening.

For bookings please contact Sasha Lilford on 9657 1629 or email
sasha.lilford@autismvictoria.org.au
 
 

Booking Form

Name: ____________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________ Postcode: _______
Phone: [_______] _______________________________(daytime contact)
Payment method:    Cheque    Money Order    VISA    MasterCard
Card Number: ________/________/__________/_______ Expiry Date: ______/______
Name on card: _________________________ Signature:_______________________
Number of tickets required ______________ x $5 = $______________
Please circle the session you would like to attend:
   
Rivoli Theatre – 19th May 7pm

Palace George – 23rd May 2pm

Sun Theatre – 26th May 1pm

Westgarth Theatre - 30th May 4.30pm

Post: Autism Victoria, PO Box 374, CARLTON SOUTH VIC 3053
Phone: (03) 9657 1600 Fax: (03) 9639 4955 email: payments@autismvictoria.org.au
 

Mary & Max - PG

Mary and Max is a sweet, unassuming tale based on the true life story of two marginalised,
lonely people who meet through a series of coincidences. They subsequently form an unlikely friendship that empowers both beyond their expectations.

Mary is a young Australian girl with body image difficulties who is desperate for friendship
and social interaction. Her home life is problematic and she consoles herself with the few
small pleasures she can find. One particularly difficult day, Mary makes a decision to send
a list of questions to someone in New York, chosen randomly in a post office phone book.

The recipient of the letter is the equally lonely Jewish adult Max, who has Aspergers
Syndrome. Max spends his days working through his anxiety with a mix of methods, some more successful than others. The arrival of the letter sends shockwaves through Max and he is unsure of whether or not he should respond. Max is excited, yet terrified of the prospect, but eventually musters up the courage to reply. What follows is the beautiful story of a pair who forge an intense friendship that crosses age barriers and dramatically changes the course of their lives.

The friendship develops into a fundamental part of each individual’s life, both hungry for
the human interaction they source from the letters. However, like any friendship, the pair
experience misunderstandings and challenges. The film tracks the rollercoaster that is their friendship in a quaint and entertaining format.

Mary and Max also highlights some of the challenges faced by individuals with Aspergers
Syndrome. It expresses the information in a touching and sensitive format which will leave
viewers with a more in depth understanding of the day to day difficulties people with this
syndrome can face.

Mary & Max is for the most part a light hearted film but it also tackles deeper issues such
as mental illness, substance abuse and suicide. These aspects do make it unsuitable for
children despite its claymation format. Overall it is a very interesting film that is
executed delicately and intelligently and keeps the viewer interested from start to finish.

About eSpectrum
eSpectrum is compiled and distributed by Autism Victoria Inc. All information is included
in good faith, and is current at time of release. Any views expressed in eSpectrum are not
necessarily those of Autism Victoria Inc, the State Council, Executive Committee or its
member agencies. The publication of a product or program in eSpectrum should not be taken as an endorsement of the service or the product(s). Autism Victoria has included details of products and services for the information of readers in good faith. Readers should take care to evaluate them for their suitability to their particular needs. Queries, items for inclusion and comments should be directed to the Chief Executive Officer, Autism Victoria at ceo@autismvictoria.org.au

You have received this electronic bulletin because you subscribed to eSpectrum via the Autism Victoria website. If you wish to unsubscribe, or change your email address, please
email your request to espectrum@autismvictoria.org.au with ‘unsubscribe eSpectrum’ or
‘change email address’ in the subject line, or use the link below.