SPECIAL EDITION

ANNOUNCING THE AUTISM STATE PLAN CONSULTATION PHASE

A partnership between:

In its 2006 pre-election policy, Addressing Disadvantage, the Victorian State Government made a commitment that it:

"… will develop an Autism State Plan in partnership with Autism Victoria, to build new and better approaches across government for meeting the growing and complex needs of people with autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)."

Since this announcement, Autism Victoria has been working with its Government partners to take this work forward.  Key activities include:

• looking at current demand on services
• evaluating the findings of the Autism Secondary Consultation and Training Strategy
  [see Autism Secondary Consultation & Training Strategy on the Monash University website for more information]
• identifying gaps in services
• developing strategies to make the service system more effective.

The Autism State Plan will consider the needs of people with an ASD of all ages and life stages – children, adolescents and adults.

CONSULTATION PHASE

To make sure that the Autism State Plan reflects the views and experiences of people with an ASD, their families and carers, people and organisations that provide services, doctors, teachers and academics and others, there will be a comprehensive consultation process.

The consultation will take place in two stages, the first scheduled for October-November 2007 and another during 2008.

The October-November consultation process will include:

• A consultation paper – people can read the paper and provide written feedback.
• Consultation Forums - to be held across Victoria to give people an opportunity to talk with government and Autism Victoria representatives about the Autism State Plan.

After the consultation, key directions will be identified.

A second stage of consultation will be undertaken during 2008 before the draft Autism State Plan is submitted for government consideration later in 2008.

How to participate

The Autism State Plan website has full details about the project, the Consultation process, and you can download the Consultation Discussion Paper, Response Forms, and Consultation Forum Schedules and registration details.

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES – CASE STORIES

The Autism State Plan is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of people with an ASD and the contribution they make to society.  You are invited to provide your own story, or a story about a person or family you know through work, school or socialising.  Autism Victoria is collecting these stories on behalf of the Autism State Plan Working Group.

A Case Story Template can be downloaded here.  You can return your completed case story electronically to admin@autismvictoria.org.au, or you can post a hard copy to Autism State Plan Personal Perspectives, PO Box 235, Ashburton Victoria 3147.  If you are emailing your case story, please put ‘Autism State Plan Personal Perspectives’ in the subject line of your email.

The closing date for submission of your personal perspective case story is Monday 3 December 2007.

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