children with autism to gain funding boost

Media Release, The Hon Jenny Macklin MP, 26 June 2008; The Age, 26 June 2008; The Herald Sun, 26 June 2008; The Australian, 26 June 2008

The Minister for Families, Ms Jenny Macklin, has announced that the Australian Government will allocate $190 million over four years towards a Helping Children with Autism package.

Under the package, parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders who are six years of age and under, and who are not yet attending school, will be eligible to receive a rebate of $6,000 per annum for two years towards the provision of approved autism support services. Such services will include occupational therapy and psychological and paediatric assistance.

Additional funding of $2,000 will also be available for families that live in remote and regional Australia.

The package also includes new Medicare rebates for children up to the age of 12, which will cover autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and 20 visits to ‘allied health professionals’. The Helping Children with Autism package will provide parents with greater access and choice of a range of early intervention programmes, including ‘one-on-one intensive activities and behavioural therapies’.

Mr Bill Shorten, the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, believes that up to 3,000 families would be eligible for the rebate this year. ‘Some of the behavioural therapies are very expensive ... but at an early intervention centre, where you've got service providers, we are optimistic that this will go a substantial way.  Early intervention makes a quantum difference in the quality of life for a child with autism,’ he said.

In addition, the package will provide 40 new Autism advisors for parents and training for 450 teachers of children with autism, and establish 150 playgroups specifically for families and children with autism spectrum disorder.

Finally, the Australian Government also intends to establish six child-care centres designed specifically for children with autism.

 

 

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