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The Autistic community could soon have more opportunities to make social connections in safe, supported environments, due to a $19 million dollar investment by the Labor government.
Over the four years, the Albanese government has pledged to provide more than $19 million to Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT), one of Australia’s largest autism-specific support services, to create a national social connections network as part of the National Autism Strategy.
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator Jenny McAllister, says everyone should experience being part of a community.
“This new social connections program is being funded to create safe and inclusive spaces to empower and help people to share useful information and advice,” she claims.
The Autism community has long called for more assistance to facilitate inclusive and accessible social connection and peer support options, in consultations to develop the National Autism Strategy 2025-31.
Speaking with National Radio News, mother of an autisic teenager, Nicole Antonopoulos, feels it's important there's collaboration across the board to ensure programs under the National Autism Strategy meet the needs of autistic people.
“I think the strategy really highlights that autistic people do have specific needs that need specific policy solutions,”
Ms Antonopoulos says.
According to the Department of Health, Ageing and Disability, the program will be created and run by people with lived experience, which will see ASPECT partner with numerous other Autistic-led organisations and individuals to develop a dedicated framework.
“Crucially, Autistic-led organisations and Autistic people will have a say in how Community Partners are funded to deliver local peer support programs and activities across Australia,”
Ms McAllister says.
Elements of the proposed network would a self-service hub including tools, resources and training videos to support members of the Autistic community to participate as facilitators.
Peer supports for families and carers have also been factored into the program, with additional supports designed to help them in their roles and allow them to share their experiences with others.
Ms Antonopoulos says the investment in peer support is a welcome addition as it has been a vital resource for her in the past.
“Peer support has been absolutely a lifesaver for me. There's just something in speaking to…other parents and knowing that you're not alone in your experience and learning from them…being able to talk through your successes as well as your challenges.”