NEW funding for a program to help children with autism is only a fraction of what’s required, according to frustrated north-west parents.
The state government last week announced a new $2.5 million behavioural support program for young people living with an autism spectrum disorder.
The program, run by not-for-profit organisation Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), is available to people aged 6-25 displaying behaviours of concern.
Starting this month, the three-year program is expected to help more than 2000 families and carers of young people living with autism. It will be reviewed in 2015.
Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge said the program would identify factors affecting a child or young person’s actions, equipping them with skills to manage the resulting behaviour.
“It has a highly individualised focus, which includes helping families and carers develop positive behaviour support plans with the assistance and expertise of Aspect,” she said.
Taylors Hill mother Dina Tamburro welcomed the funding but said more was needed to support struggling families. “The money is a step in the right direction, but a lot more is needed because there are so many children with autism out there.”
About one in 160 Australian children has a condition on the autism spectrum.
Mrs Tamburro’s son Alessio, 10, has autism and has not responded well to four years of speech therapy. He is struggling at school and home. “He refuses to do what he’s told and has been spitting at his therapist and being aggressive at home,” Mrs Tamburro said. “After four years of treating him, his speech therapist referred him to a behavioural therapist because she can’t connect with him any more. But that kind of treatment costs a lot of money and needs to be consistent to get positive results.”
Keilor Downs mother Despina Havelas also has a child with autism and said $2.5million over three years “isn’t a lot of money”.
A government spokesman said families could contact Aspect directly or be referred by support services. It’s not necessary to be registered with the Department of Human Services to access the program.
More details: autismspectrum.org.au.
