Submission No 29
INQUIRY INTO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
Organisation: Lifestyle in Supported Accomodation (LISA)
Date Received: 8 March 2016
Submission S029 Received 11/03/2016 Family and Community Development Committee
Most day activity service providers concentrate on outreach activities for those with high support needs autism, as it is easier to just ‑drive them around‑ than develop and implement meaningful active support and engagement.
Behaviours are a concern for service providers when mixing with the public. McDonald’s outside areas are often considered best for those with autism to be taken for a meal or snack in the community. Whereas, concentration should be on meaningful behaviour management to help them enjoy a range of community venues.
Finally, we present a warning to parents, carers, stakeholders and service providers, that to do little or no meaningful behaviour management, especially when the person with autism is young, and especially when the person is a very physical person, as many with high support needs autism have little or no ability to understand the difference between touching, holding and seriously hurting someone.
Lack of early, consistent and meaningful behaviour management can result in a very strong adult being uncontrollable.
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Tony & Heather Tregale Coordinators, LISA Inc.