Handbook and Guidelines
Autism State Plan
The Department of Human Services, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Autism Victoria worked together in partnership to develop the Autism State 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 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Priority actions have been identified that will make a difference in the short term, and 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
Funding of $8.3 million over four years in the 2009-10 State Budget has been dedicated to commence the implementation of the Autism State Plan. This includes:
- $4.2 million for mental health service enhancement to improve service quality, support staff training and provide greater access to mental health services particularly for young children and adolescents; and
- $4.1 million to improve support to pre-school children and young Victorians of school age, and to provide staff development opportunities including secondary consultation and mentoring.
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.
The Autism State Plan and further information is available at: Autism State Plan