Victorian State Election Comment

Autism Victoria has prepared this summary of the key election policies relevant to our constituency.  Both major parties did not launch their disability policies until the last week of the campaign.  The disability and social welfare sectors have been actively lobbying for the duration of the campaign, with several rallies and public meetings organised.

Meredith Ward, the Autism Victoria Government and Public Relations Liaison Officer, has been lobbying all parties intensively for some time now and has achieved significant results.  Meredith, and the Autism Victoria Executive Officer, Amanda Golding, have prepared this summary of the major policy announcements.

“When evaluating the disability policies of the parties contending the forthcoming state election, it can be difficult to establish what is new, what is previously promised and what will make a difference to families and individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The ALP’s disability policy, “Addressing Disadvantage – Investing in a Fairer Victoria” is a detailed document drawing on previous policy documents and adding some new elements.  Of particular interest to the Autism Spectrum Disorder community is the promise to “develop an Autism State Plan in partnership with Autism Victoria”  (page 13) and "allocate an additional $6 million for improved early intervention services for children with a disability” (pages 11-12) – of which $3 million will be used to fund ‘enhanced early childhood intervention places’.  This means an increase in the dollars allocated for early intervention places for children with high complex needs and/or autism.

The Liberal’s disability policy, “A Better Deal for Victorians with Disabilities” commenced with the statement that “a Liberal Government will make it easier for people with a disability, their families and their carers, to navigate the system and maximise their options.”  The Shadow Minister for Community Services announced a $49.2 million package that “will put the needs of people with disabilities before process and bureaucracy.”  No specific mention to Autism Spectrum Disorder was made in their policy document, but it was important to note that they will

• “Review the Disability Bill to include and recognise carers and in proper consultation with all relevant stakeholders” and
• “Develop a funding model that delivers services driven by client needs not disability level or type”.

Both of these promises reflect concerns raised by Autism Victoria in response to the new Disability Bill during the consultation phase (this response can be accessed from our website).

In general terms, the ALP policy is far more detailed than the Liberal policy.  However, the ALP policy, if evaluated in terms of their performance in government over the past two terms, is high on policy rhetoric, but does not take account of their failure to deliver services at the coal face.  Waiting lists and waiting times at all levels of service have increased, and levels of service, for example, early intervention, have decreased.

In response to the ALP policy announcement to develop an Autism State Plan, Autism Victoria issued a Press Release on 21st November – “Bracks Backs Autism” – a copy is attached here.  Autism Victoria has lobbied the current Minister for Community Services for the resources to prepare an “Autism State Plan”, which we feel is the necessary first step to developing a whole of government and whole of life approach to meeting the diverse needs of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  It is a significant achievement to have had this proposal adopted by the ALP in their policy statement.  Whatever the outcome of the election, Autism Victoria will focus on ensuring that the government of the day works in partnership with us to develop an Autism State Plan.

The minor parties policy statements all focus a great deal of attention on health, disability and community services.  They should be viewed as supportive of our own objectives should any of these parties achieve seats in the Legislative Council.

Attached please find a comment by Michael Gourlay of the Association for Children with a Disability and a press release from the CDR – Coalition for Disability Rights.  Below are the links to the websites for each of the parties for full details of their policies and other statements that they have made.

Australian Labor Party

Liberal Party

National Party

Greens

People Power

Family First

Democrats

If any reader of eSpectrum is interested in being part of the Autism Victoria Lobbying and Public Relations Sub Committee, please have a look at the attached Expression of Interest.  Meredith Ward would love to hear from you – via email or phone – 0400 226 408 – or by posting or faxing the completed Expression of Interest to the Autism Victoria office.

Autism Society of America mourns the loss of Dr Bernard Rimland

The following item was circulated by the Autism Society of America on 22nd November.  The autism community in Victoria joins with the ASA in expressing our admiration for the tireless work of Bernie Rimland on behalf of parents and individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and our sadness on hearing of his death at the age of 78.

“The Autism Society of America (ASA) announces with profound sympathy today the death of its founder, Dr. Bernard Rimland.  A pioneer in the area of autism diagnosis and treatment, Dr. Rimland transformed the prevailing pessimistic view of autism in the medical and scientific community and built the largest parent support organization in the United States.  Along the way, he inspired hundreds of thousands of parents, advocates and professionals to treat individuals with autism with respect, dignity and care.

“Bernie Rimland was among the first to realize the importance of combining a focus on medical interventions with treatments, supports and services,” stated Dr. Cathy Pratt, ASA Board Chairperson.  “There is not one parent or professional who has not been impacted by the knowledge, dreams and thinking of Bernie Rimland.”

Dr. Rimland's 1964 book, "Infantile Autism: The Syndrome and its Implications for a Neural Theory of Behavior," was responsible for challenging and changing the long-held belief that autism was an emotional disorder caused by poor mothering.  Autism is now recognized as a biomedical disorder.  Rimland devoted himself tirelessly to conducting and disseminating the results of research on methods of diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of autism.  These treatment modalities, once considered radical, are now gaining wide acceptance as the news spreads about formerly autistic children who have been reclassified as normal.

Dr. Rimland's determination was spawned by his own son's diagnosis of autism, at age two, in 1958.  “Dr. Rimland was a hero to the autism community and his legacy will live on through the work of the Autism Research Institute, the Autism Society of America and the good work of others,” said Lee Grossman, President and CEO of ASA.  “No one has done more for Autism than our founder, Bernie, and all in the autism community have been positively touched and have benefited through his decades of passion and dedication to our cause.”

News from Autism Victoria

Introducing Fleur Dwyer, the new Autism Victoria Information Support Officer

Fleur joined Autism Victoria in early November as part of our expanded Information Service.  She has previously worked with the Monash Autism Program and the ACT-NOW – the Autism Consultancy and Training project, and brings to Autism Victoria considerable experience, expertise and enthusiasm.  Over the next six months, Fleur will be working hard to develop new elements of our information services, as well as updating our existing information materials.

Contacting Autism Victoria by phone

As mentioned in the last issue of eSpectrum, regional Victorians can now contact the Autism Victoria office for the cost of a local call using our 1300 service.  The number is

1300 308 699

Interstate callers must use the [03] 9885 0533 number as we are unable to offer this service beyond Victoria.  Metropolitan callers can use either number, as there is no difference in cost.

As part of the improvements to our office facility, we have installed a new phone system with an ‘auto attendant’.  This means that callers are able to select the staff member they wish to speak with, and if that person is not available to take your call, you can leave them a brief voice message.  We have modified the system slightly to try and make it easier for callers.  When you next phone Autism Victoria, you will receive a welcome message and be asked to select from the following four options:

Autism Victoria InfoLine – for information materials or general enquiries – Fleur Dwyer

Office – for membership, library, sales or account queries – Carol Barclay

Counsellor – for the Family Counsellors – Kirsty Kerr or Julia Seedsman

Administration – for the Executive Officer – Amanda Golding

You don’t have to listen to the entire recorded message – if you know which staff member you wish to speak with you can press their number at any time!  And please don’t select any other number – your call may not be answered, as the auto attendant won’t know where to send it!  If you have to leave a message, please include your name, phone contact number and a brief message – it helps if you repeat your phone number, as some phone connections can be quite poor, making it difficult for us to retrieve the correct number.

Christmas – New Year arrangements

The Autism Victoria office will be closed for the Christmas New Year period:

CLOSING from 12 noon on Thursday 21st December, 2006

REOPENING at 9:00 am on Monday 8th January, 2007

Amanda, Carol, Kirsty, Julia and Fleur would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

ADVANCE NOTICE – 40th Anniversary Celebrations 2007

During Autism Awareness Week 2007 (May 14 – 19), we will be celebrating the 40th Anniversay of the formation of Autism Victoria (or, as it was then known, the Victorian Autistic Children’s Association).  An Autism Expo will be held during the day, followed by a Cocktail Party with guest speakers, special presentations and a huge Anniversary Cake!

We are currently seeking information about the early years of the association.  We know that the foundation meeting was held in 1967 with representatives from the Mansfield Play School (now the Mansfield Autistic Centre), the Eastern Centre (now Irabina) and the Southern Centre (now Statewide Autistic Services).  If you know anything about these early meetings, and the people involved, please do not hesitate to contact Amanda Golding at Autism Victoria – admin@autismvictoria.org.au .

Further information about this special day of celebration will be announced as details are finalised.

Other News and Information

2007 Biennial Australian Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders - “Creative Futures”.  This conference will be held from 14th to the 16th March 2007 at the Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland.  It is convened by Autism Queensland under the auspice of the Autism Council of Australia.  The theme for the conference is the Future – what does the future hold for children and adults on the spectrum and their families?  For full details, visit the conference website at www.astmanagement.com.au/autism7/ .  Registration is now open, and the Early Bird rates apply until 12th December 2006.

Autism Teaching Institute Courses for 2007

The Autism Teaching Institute is the Registered Training Organisation of the Western Autistic School in Niddrie, Melbourne, Australia.  The attached flier outlines their teacher training courses for 2007.  Full details about the Institute can be found on their website.

Kidsflix Movie Program

Kidsflix is a program of free children’s movie showings at various Hoyts Cinema complexes.  Families with a child with special needs are eligible to attend.  The next event is on Saturday 16th December at Hoyts Victoria Gardens, Richmond commencing at 8:30 am.  The movie being shown will be ‘Charlotte’s Web’.  To obtain a family pass, please email amanda@autismvictoria.org.au for an application form and full details – the first five will receive the application packages.  Alternatively, you can contact the event organiser - The Continence Foundation direct, for a booking form and details – phone 1800 828 881 and ask for the Kidsflix details or by email to Kidsflix@continence.org.au.

Social Group for Teenagers & Young Adults

MOIRA/Interchange Southern has established a social group for young people (13-20 years old) with Aspergers Syndrome and high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder who live in the City of Kingston and surrounding areas (Bayside, Glen Eira, Stonnington, etc.).

The group have met and established an activity plan – and they need more members!  For more information on the group and how you can get involved, please contact Rhett Castagnon on 8552 2222 or 0419 154 482 (call or SMS) or email to lcastagnon@moira.org.au.

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 Amanda Golding, Executive Officer, Autism Victoria at admin@autismvictoria.org.au

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