THE JANUARY 14 release of the federal government’s National Autism Strategy and associated seven-year action plan has been met with tempered optimism by local provider Mansfield Autism Statewide Services.

Mansfield Autism CEO Simone Reeves commended the government on recognising the need for a national strategy - which is an Australian first – and on delivering a plan informed by people with lived experience.

Developed with the guidance of the National Autism Strategy Oversight Council through extensive consultation with the autism and disability sector along with autistic people, their families and care networks, the plan focuses on four key outcomes areas to help overcome the unique barriers and challenges autistic people face.

The four areas focus on social inclusion; economic inclusion; diagnosis, services and supports; along with overall health and mental health.

“The aim is very powerful - to create a safe and inclusive society where all autistic people are supported and empowered to thrive,” said Ms Reeves.

However, Ms Reeves was apprehensive about the government’s ability to implement meaningful change for individuals living with autism and their families and caregivers, with recent reforms to services able to be accessed under the National Disability Insurance Scheme a primary concern.

“There are significant changes happening within the National Disability Insurance Agency and with the broader disability policy reform, and the government’s strategy fails to take these into account,” she said.

“These changes are impacting children and families that need our support now, with children being taken off the scheme, a lack of focus on the whole family and a reduction in the length of skill-building stays that reduce service provision to planned respite.

“We are currently dealing with families in crisis, and I don’t think any of these families, despite the great language and knowledge contained within the strategy, are going to look at the plan and see it as a solution.”

Ms Reeves cites the uncertain future is of particular worry, with children potentially being overlooked by the system and missing out on crucial and timely interventions.

“It is disappointing as we have the capability and capacity to assist more children and their families, but changes are making it increasingly difficult for us to deliver the warp-around model of support we know works best,” she said.

“We have the expertise to make true sustainable changes for the children and their families, but this requires intensive work over a period of time.”

One of a multitude of services Mansfield Autism offers includes extended 24/7 skill build stays, where children stay on-farm and are joined by their parents at critical points for capacity building and skill transfer.

“Often the children would arrive with clinical anxiety and our initial goal was to reduce this stress and get students into the right space to learn by decreasing sensory overload and immersing the kids in nature,” Ms Reeves said.

“Over this more extended time frame our well-trained staff were able to build rapport with the students and design strategies to build skills and then provide parents and caregivers with the ability to transition them at home.

“These strategies could also be taken and then applied in the classroom.”

Recent changes to the NDIS however have directly impacted the service’s ability to deliver these crucial interventions, with short term accommodation reduced to two weeks effectively delivering respite rather than the life changing extended stays.

“Another concern is the NDIA concentrates on the child as an individual and doesn’t look at the family, in terms of providing integrated support,” Ms Reeves said.

“Often we have families who have multiple children with diagnoses, and caregivers are experiencing extreme carer fatigue.”

MS Reeves believes both the NDIA and the government’s National Autism Strategy need to look more at the bigger picture to drive long-term sustainable change and improved outcomes for those living with autism and their families.

Independent Federal Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines confirmed she had recently met with Mansfield Autism to discuss how changes to NDIS are impacting their programs.

“I support the NDIS because I know the incredible difference it makes in the lives of thousands of people living with disability in Indi, as well as for their families, friends and carers,” she said.

“That’s why I also know how important it is for the NDIS to be fair, sustainable and accessible for the long term.”

Dr Haines supported reforms to the NDIS as they moved through parliament last year but though endorsing the principle of the changes she also registered concern about several elements.

“The government committed to co-design NDIS changes with people with disability, but reporting in the past few months has me concerned that the government is not living up to this commitment - with many NDIS participants and their providers still confused about changes and how they will impact them,” Dr Haines said.

“In parliament last year, I expressed that some of the changes could see young lose access to the scheme simply for failing to respond to an eligibility reassessment letter in 30 days.

“Unfortunately, this is what seems to have occurred to thousands of families in recent months.

“This is incredibly disappointing, because the NDIS must work with families, and not against them, to secure the best outcomes for young people with disabilities.”

Dr Haines is also increasingly worried about the impact of changes on regional NDIS providers.

“I have heard from providers in Indi that the NDIS reforms are making it harder for families to access life-changing services.

“It seems that services catering to children with autism are under particular pressure.

“One provider told me recent changes to the NDIS are making it increasingly challenging for them to support and build capacity of the family to help them best support their child or children.

"The demand and the need remain overwhelming, and many families are in distress, they said.

“I don't want to see any young child or person with a disability miss out on care that will help them,” Dr Haines said.

“I welcome the National Autism Strategy, because we can do much better as a country and a community to support and empower autistic people throughout their lives.

“I support the human rights model of disability at the centre of the National Autism Strategy, and the recognition that the needs of autistic people living in regional, rural and remote areas must be central when design programs and policies to support autistic people.

“The National Autism Strategy makes clear that diagnosis is likely to occur later for those living in regional areas, and that without timely identification and diagnosis, these people may not be able to access appropriate supports.”

Dr Haines confirmed she will continue to fight for healthcare services that enable everyone in regional communities to thrive.

Stepping into the portfolio in February, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amanda Rishworth said the National Autism Strategy reflects the government’s vision where all people with disability – across metropolitan and regional Australia - are supported to participate in all spheres of life.

“Addressing the barriers autistic people face in areas like education, employment and diagnosis is long overdue and we are proud to deliver a strategy that will change lives for the better.

“Working with autistic people will remain key as we work to implement the goals of the strategy and the associated action plan – ensuring we meet the diverse needs of autistic people in Australia,” Ms Rishworth said.

Mansfield Autism Statewide Services employs over 140 people and has provided services to support autistic people and their families from all over Victoria, for over 50 years.

Their services include skill building stays, respite, high needs care, specialist school, family camps, outreach, carer retreats, in home support and training to support mainstream teachers and industry placement trainees.

Responding to overwhelming need and demand, and supported by state and federal governments, they recently opened a $36m+ expansion toward a Centre of Excellence Therapeutic Care Farm based in Mansfield.