A new nation-leading South Australian Government advisory group is set to focus on mitigating barriers to autism assessment and diagnosis.
Headed by Assistant Minister for Autism, Emily Bourke (pictured), the South Australian Autism Assessment and Diagnosis Advisory Group has been created in response to the state Autism Strategy and Charter.
“We know knowledge is key in understanding what autism is, just as it is key to gaining access to an autism assessment,” said Minister Bourke.
“We have heard from health professionals and members of our community that knowing how and where to access or provide an autism assessment can vary significantly.
“No longer are we going to push this question down the road, we are going to act by bringing the right people – from GPs to speech pathologists to psychologists to occupational therapists – to the one table, to finally work through these questions to address wait lists and access to autism assessments.”
This Advisory Group will bring together State Government Departments and key representatives from national medical colleges including:
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists;
- Royal Australasian College of Physicians;
- Speech Pathology Australia;
- Occupational Therapy Board of Australia;
- Australian Medical Association;
- Australian Psychological Society.
The Advisory Group will provide advice regarding factors contributing to barriers to autism assessment and diagnosis in South Australia.
The group will also identify opportunities for reform to improve autism assessment and diagnosis, including consideration of a government framework, the National Guidelines for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism and post-assessment and diagnosis support for South Australians.
The inaugural Advisory Group meeting is scheduled to be held in January 2025.
The State Government is also seeking a diagnostician with lived experience of autism to join the board, with applications to be part of the Advisory Group now open on I Work For SA and close at 11pm next Thursday, 28 November.
