Autism SA welcomes ongoing efforts to clarify the scope and purpose of foundational supports. We look forward to collaborating with both State and Commonwealth Governments to ensure that early childhood supports are designed to meet the needs identified by autistic people, their families, and the broader autism community.
While we are encouraged by this focus, we are concerned that recent commentary may not fully reflect the understanding that autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability. It is essential that policy development recognises this reality and places emphasis on identifying and addressing support needs in genuine partnership with autistic people and the autism community. This will help ensure that new initiatives provide meaningful and appropriate support, rather than risk shifting responsibility away from the national disability support framework.
Autism SA encourages both the State and Commonwealth Governments to honour their commitment to co-design by working early, closely, and transparently with peak bodies, service providers, the sector, autistic people, and families who will be most directly impacted by these decisions.
As South Australia’s autism peak body, Autism SA is committed to ensuring that the voices of autistic people, children, and their families are heard. We will continue to engage constructively with government to influence the development of the Thriving Kids Program so that the needs of South Australian families and the broader autism community are fully represented and addressed.