HELPING CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
What is the ‘Helping Children With Autism’ Package?
The Australian Government, through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), The Department of Health and Ageing (DOHA), and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) have committed $190 Million to support families, and their children who have a DSM-IV diagnosis of:
- Autistic Disorder
- Asperger's Disorder
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
- Rett's Disorder
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
The new package includes:
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New Medicare rebates for psychology, speech therapy, and occupational therapy upon referral from a paediatrician - Four sessions for assessment and diagnosis, and 20 visits for early intervention treatment for children with ASDs;
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National Autism Advisor Program to assist families and carers of children aged zero to six with a definitive diagnosis of an ASD;
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Funding to increase access to early intervention services for children up to the age of seven with a diagnosis of ASD (children must be deemed eligible for funding by their sixth birthday);
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Targeted playgroups across Australia for families and children aged zero to six years with an ASD or ASD-like symptoms;
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A national program of workshops to deliver flexible and targeted support to families and carers of children with an ASD;
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An ASD website to provide information, online resources and other interactive functions to parents, carers and professionals;
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Professional development for teachers and other school staff to support school students with ASDs to achieve better educational outcomes; and
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Additional funding to enable parents and carers of school aged children with ASDs to attend workshops and information sessions and to access online workshops and information.
In addition to the package, the Government is establishing six autism-specific early intervention child care centres which will provide individualised programs for children with an ASD in a long day care setting.
The package has been established to augment and/or complement the current State and Territory government investment in ASD services.
Further information about the Helping Children with Autism Package available from www.fahcsia.gov.au , www.health.gov.au/autism and www.dest.gov.au/schools/autism ,
Link to medicare site: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-medicare-health_pro-gp-pdf-allied-cnt.htm