Background to the Autism State Plan
The development of an Autism State Plan in partnership with Autism Victoria was a Victorian Government election commitment in November 2006. The shared aim was to build new and better approaches to meet the growing and complex needs of people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
A statewide consultation process was undertaken between September to December 2007 to ensure that the Plan reflects the views and experiences of people with an ASD, their families and carers, service providers, academics, teachers, doctors and others. In total, 252 written submissions from rural and metropolitan areas were received in response to the Autism State Plan Consultation Paper. In addition, a series of 23 forums was held across metropolitan and rural Victoria. More than 720 people attended People with an ASD, families and carers, service providers and service organisations were all represented at the forums and in these submissions. The feedback is summarised in the Summary of Consultation. Both the Consultation Paper and the Summary can be downloaded below.
As well as hearing from this broad range of Victorians, national and international ASD research, policy and practice has been examined to inform development of the Plan and a number of people with an ASD, family members and carers contributed ‘personal perspectives’ during the consultation. Following the statewide consultation, targeted consultation was undertaken during 2008 to further explore key issues that had been identified.
The response by Victorians throughout the consultations demonstrated the importance placed on improving the way support is provided to people with an ASD in our community and ensure that the Plan has been informed by the knowledge of those with direct experience of ASD.
The government will continue to work with people with an ASD, their families, other stakeholders and the broader community to implement the Plan's priority actions.
Autism State Plan consultation paper [pdf, 488k]
Autism
State Plan consultation summary paper [pdf, 118k] - April 2008
