About the Autism State Plan
In its 2006 election policy, Addressing Disadvantage, the Victorian Government undertook to:
… 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).
The Department of Human Services, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Autism Victoria worked together in partnership to develop the Plan which was launched in May 2009 during Autism Awareness Month.
The Plan has a vision for the next 10 years to improve outcomes for people of all ages with an ASD. Priority actions have been identified that will make a difference in the short term. A Stakeholder Advisory Group will help inform priority work over the Plan's 10 year implementation period.
The contributions of approximately 1000 Victorians, gathered through the extensive statewide consultation undertaken across metropolitan and regional Victoria in October and November 2007, constituted a major input into the Plan’s development. Information from the consultation was complemented by a focused examination of local and international ASD research and policy. The response by Victorians throughout the consultation demonstrates the importance placed on improving the way support is provided to people with an ASD in our community and ensures that the Plan has been informed by the knowledge of those with direct experience of ASD. Six priority areas are identified in the Plan which will guide the Plan’s implementation:
- Make it easier to get support
- Strengthen the ASD expertise of the workforce
- Extend and link key services and supports especially during transition
- Enhance and provide appropriate educational opportunities
- Facilitate successful participation in the community
- Develop a robust evidence base about ASD
The government is now looking forward to working with people with an ASD, their families, other stakeholders and the broader community to implement the Plan’s priority actions.
Autism
State Plan [pdf, 1mb] - 21 May 2009
Budget 2009-10 - Commencing Implementation of the Autism State Plan
Funding of $8.27 million over four years in the 2009-10 State Budget signals the commencement of the implementation of the Autism State Plan. Victoria is the first jurisdiction in Australia to develop an Autism State Plan to improve outcomes for people of all ages with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
