KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Diagnosis and assessment: ASD can be difficult to diagnose, and it is important that individuals are assessed by trained healthcare professionals. In Australia, diagnosis and assessment of ASD are generally carried out by a team of healthcare professionals, including a pediatrician, psychologist, and speech pathologist.

2. Early intervention: Early intervention is critical for individuals with ASD. In Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for early intervention services for children with ASD.

3. Support and resources: There is a range of support services and resources available for individuals with ASD and their families in Australia. This includes government-funded services such as the NDIS, as well as non-governmental organizations and support groups.

4. Education and employment: Individuals with ASD may face challenges in education and employment. In Australia, there is a range of programs and services available to support individuals with ASD in these areas, including specialist schools and vocational training programs.

5. Research: There is ongoing research being conducted in Australia to better understand ASD and develop new treatments and therapies.

6. Advocacy: Advocacy plays an important role in raising awareness about ASD and advocating for the rights of individuals with ASD in Australia. There is a range of advocacy organizations in Australia that support individuals with ASD and their families.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER(ASD)

Human behaviors most times have similar traits, Normally humans react to situations from what happened in the past, what is currently happening, or what will happen. Emotional communications like anger, joy, distress, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust are outcomes of how we are currently feeling.

Autism spectrum disorder which is commonly known as autism is a developmental disorder that affects an individual‘s communication skills and social skills.

When this situation is not discovered early, individuals find it difficult to manage in their environment, because of the lack of understanding and support they need from their environment.

Due to the misunderstandings, people have about ASD, the support and care such people need are not gotten.

IS AUTISM AN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY?

An intellectual disability is an individual having issues with learning, solving problems, making conclusions, and adapting functioning (ie socializing and making decisions independently).

There is a high percentage of autistic people living with intellectual disabilities, but we can say that not everyone living with autism has an intellectual disability.

Early intervention in autism could help manage an individual’s learning ability and help improve them intellectually.

DOES AUTISM AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY?

Autism is a primary category disability that is funded and supported by the NDIS. An individual with autism can seek support in all federally funded programs.

LEVELS OF AUTISM IN NDIS

There are three levels of autism which are:

• • ASD level 1 which requires little support

AUTISM LEVEL 1 SYMPTOM

In this stage, the individual has issues with social interaction and engagement with his or her environment. Such individual also finds it difficult to transiting from one activity or process to another.

Studies have shown that adventure therapy programs and going through some rehab process help an individual with level 1 autism to get to participate in activities and work together with people around them.

With this, they get to improve their social skills and learn to work in their environment.

• • ASD level 2 requires more or substantial support

AUTISM LEVEL 2 SYMPTOMS

In this case, the individual hardly wants to engage in conversations and probably lacks facial expression when conversing.

They are also unable to deal with changes and transitions and sometimes might find it difficult to communicate with facial expressions.

Going through some therapy like Applied behavioral analysis, and occupational therapy could help them manage and cope with their environment.

• • ASD level 3 is the highest level of autism that requires even more substantial support

AUTISM LEVEL 3 SYMPTOMS

Individuals with level  3 symptoms don’t like to interact or build friendships with people. They like to stick to a particular habit and find it difficult to switch from one routine to another.

They follow repetitive behavior which affects their functionality. Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is a great way to manage this level of autism.

WHAT LEVEL OF AUTISM IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE NDIS?

Most times the NDIS gets to know the level to which an autistic individual needs support through their level of autism.

Autism levels 2 and 3 are eligible to get support from the NDIS. Level one can also get this support if this disability affects his or her daily activities.

CAN YOU GET A DISABILITY ALLOWANCE FOR A CHILD WITH AUTISM?

Children aged 7 or over experiencing autism spectrum disorder, he or she is liable to get support from the NDIS.

Being an Australian citizen and having an impairment affects his or her contribution to activities.

For more information on NDIS funding for children living with autism. Click on this link Ndis children autism support.

Do you need support in finding a provider closest to you? Are you unable to connect to an autism provider? Mycareplace directory makes it easy for you to get access to different professional providers around you. Click on this link to connect to a provider now ‘Autism provider around me

Helpful Resources

1. Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) – https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/
2. Autism Awareness Australia – https://www.autismawareness.com.au/
3. National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – https://www.ndis.gov.au/
4. Raising Children Network – https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism_spectrum_disorder
5. Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders – https://a4.org.au/