Submission No 73
INQUIRY INTO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
Organisation: City of Greater Dandenong
Date Received: 20 April 2016
City of Opportunity
GREATER DANDENONG
Reference: 3743121
Enquiries: 03 8571 5140
Submission S073
Received 20/04/2016
Family and Community Development Committee
15 April 2016
Maree Edwards, MP
Chair
Family and Community Development Committee
Parliament House
Spring Street
East Melbourne VIC 3002
Dear Ms Edwards
RE: Inquiry into services for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Thank you for your correspondence of 18 January 2016 addressed to the Chief Executive Officer.
The Chief Executive Officer has noted your letter and has requested that I review and respond to the matters you raise therein.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the inquiry into services for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADS). The City of Greater Dandenong has consulted with Council’s Disability Advisory Committee and would like to provide the following issues and comments raised by the Committee.
As media has reported, there has been an increase in diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, which has led to effective early intervention and greater participation. Unfortunately this increase has also seen a larger demand for services - a mismatch in growth and availability. One of those services is the education system. No single approach will meet all of the children and young people’s needs however having a coordinated and inclusive approach with innovative programs and resources is a start.
When students with disabilities are unable to enjoy a good education, their future is seriously compromised. A poor education is one of the key reasons why the economic and social participation rate of Australians with disabilities is so low.i
Building the skills of the educational workforce is an effective approach to ensure better understanding of the needs of students with an ASD and therefore enabling a more inclusive
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Building the skills of the educational workforce is an effective approach to ensure better understanding of the needs of students with an ASD and therefore enabling a more inclusive result. Staff with specialist skills in ASD can also ensure that students receive additional support and a positive learning environment.
Communication and information sharing within all stages of the child’s development will bring about a more informed, collaborative and complex understanding and therefore a superior and individualised support. The impact of this can lead to growth in community inclusion, confidence, positive development, entity and smooth transitions throughout the person’s life.
In developing a quality services with the above included, the funding barrier still remains. The Victorian school system should be structured and funded to support access to education for students of all abilities, including students with a disability that affects their ability to participate and learn.ii
Funding needs to be prioritised for people on the Autism Spectrum Disorder, with a commitment to:
- professional development of teachers and educational support that leads to a workforce that is properly equipped to meet the needs of people with ASD
- making access adjustments so that everyone can participate within their selected school environment
- increased information and awareness of options and funding for parents and carers so informed choices are valued
- communication and coordination between the transition within the persons educational life
- funding criteria to be reviewed for mainstream support for people on the Autism Spectrum Disorder
- increase in accessibility of aids, equipment and technology.
Thank you once again for the opportunity provided to comment on the issues relating to people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Yours sincerely
redacted: s47F - Personal privacy
Mark Doubleday
Director Community Services
i Held back: The experiences of students with disabilities in Victorian school. Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. September 2012. ii Held back: The experiences of students with disabilities in Victorian school. Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. September 2012.