Have your say - Australia’s first National Guideline for supporting autistic children and their families
The Autism CRC has today released the draft version of Australia’s first National Guideline for supporting the learning, participation, and wellbeing of autistic children and their families.
The draft is released for public feedback for 6 weeks, closing at 5:00pm (AEST), Monday 29th August 2022. All members of the community are welcome to provide feedback.
The National Guideline for supporting autistic children and their families, builds on Autism CRC’s landmark report Interventions for children on the autism spectrum: A synthesis of research evidence – the most comprehensive review of the evidence for autism supports ever compiled in Australia.
Professor Andrew Whitehouse, Autism CRC’s Research Strategy Director and Co-Chair of the Guideline Group, said the Guideline was based on consultation with more than 700 community members, and represented a critical step forward in the support of autistic children in Australia.
“Up to this point, Australia has not had a national guideline in this area,” he said. “This guideline was developed with the aim of helping all autistic children and their families in Australia receive safe, effective and desirable supports in Australia,” he said.
Guideline Co-Chair Associate Professor David Trembath encouraged the community to have their say.
“With the release of the draft the community once again has the opportunity to provide feedback,” he said. “The Autism CRC warmly welcomes feedback on the Guideline from the autistic and autism communities.”
Associate Professor Trembath said the recommendations, if implemented, would ensure a clear framework through which autism practices and standards were regulated in Australia.
“This Guideline will empower families to make informed decisions around how best to support their child,” he said.
To have your say, visit the Guideline webpage
The final Guideline is due to be released in October 2022.
Contact
If you have any questions about the feedback process, you can contact the Co-Chairs of the Guideline Development Group (Andrew Whitehouse and David Trembath) at supportingchildren@autismcrc.com.au