Autism Spectrum Australia
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 Autism Awareness Ribbon | |
| Established | 1969, Sydney |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofit organisation |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
| Website | https://www.autismspectrum.org.au |
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is an Australian based non-profit organisation that provides services to people on the autism spectrum and offers support to their families.
Aspect is the largest Australian national service provider for people living on the autism spectrum. The organisation has been supporting families with children who have autism spectrum disorder since 1969 and has grown to help 10,000 families Australia wide each year. Aspect has formed alliances with several non-profit organisations.[1][2]
Autism in Australia[edit]
Autism is prevalent in Australian society with an estimated 1 in 150 diagnosed with Autism Disorder in 2015, totalling 164,000 Australians. Autism in Australia has increased since 2008, when an approximate 64.400 Australians identified as living with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In 2015, 88% of people diagnosed with autism, were identified with having a disability.[3][4]
Demographics[edit]
Autism is more commonly diagnosed in children and young adults than those in adulthood. 84% of Australians diagnosed with autism were under the age of 25. Autism in Australian children from 5 to 14 was most prevalent in 2009, 2012 and 2015, highlighting a diagnostic increase for children in school years. The reasoning for increased diagnosis is not clear although higher levels of diagnosis and awareness of autism could have assisted in the rise in reporting disorders related to an ASD in Australia. In Australia 81% of males represent the total population of those with ASD, making men 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than females. [3][4]
Education[edit]
In 2015, there were approximately 83,700 of Australians within the ages of 5 to 20 with an ASD who were enrolled in an educational setting, primary or secondary schooling. Of these students, 85% had trouble at school, with more than 28% enrolled at specialist schools. The most common types of difficulty reported were social adaptations (63%), learning problems (62%) and issues with communication (53%). Australian students with autism use various resources to assist in learning, including specialised tuition (56%) and a support person, i.e. a learning support assistant (44%). [3][4]
Employment [edit]
In 2015, 50% of Australians living with autism, between the ages of 15-64, reported difficulty in being employed in their preferred job, and others cited difficulty in changing careers. Approximately 3 in 10 were not able to work due to their disability or condition. [3][4]
History[edit]
Aspect was formed in Sydney in 1969 by a group of parents who had children on the autism spectrum. The group was led by Andrew Vern Barnet alongside parents to create opportunities for children on the autism spectrum. Aspect established schools and services to assist people with autism. Andrew and Margaret Vern Barnett had a daughter with an autism disorder, and with alongside five families they created The Autistic Children’s Association of New South Wales, with the goal to provide an education through schooling for their children and assistance for each other.[5]
The first meetings were in held in a rented hall in Sydney where the parents employed a team of professionals who had been diagnosing autism. The professionals were implementing new educational and behavioural strategies in line with current literature and research of the time. In 1969, the first government funding was awarded to The Autistic Children’s Association of New South Wales. Five schools were opened with this government funding, Forestville in 1971, Annandale in 1974, Newcastle in 1977 and Kingsgrove and Randwick in 1968.[6]
In 1984, the name of the organisation was changed to The Autistic Association of NSW. Services supporting adults were introduced, and this led to advocacy support for individuals on the autism spectrum, family support, early intervention roles, and introducing school counsellors. In April 2005, the name changed to Autism Spectrum Australia or Aspect.
Aspect supports over 10,000 children, teenagers and adults who are on the autism spectrum, as well as their support to their families and carers connections with over 10,000 children, young people and adults on the autism spectrum, including their families and carers across.[6]
Aspect celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2016. The slogan for the milestone was '50 years of a Different Brilliant'.[7]
ASPECT Today[edit]
Aspect employs a team of professionals including psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, social workers, special educators and autism educators to support individuals with autism, their families and carers.
Aspect offers diagnostic testing, early intervention therapies, specialised schooling, social groups and employment mentor services. Aspect provides advice and capacity building throughout the stages of life for an individual on the autism spectrum. The organisation also offers specialised and evidence-informed programs, specialist schools and satellite classes (classes attached to a mainstream school).[8]
The organisation provides early intervention and therapies, diagnosis and assessments, social groups, specialised schooling and employment mentoring. Services for individuals and families to provide support are additionally supplied including advice and support for families from early childhood into adulthood. These services assist in connection with people in regional areas to those in rural and remote communities.[9]
Aspect employs a team of Practice Specialists. Practice Specialists must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience working with people on the autism spectrum. Practice Specialists require a demonstrated commitment to evidence-informed practice and must contribute to Aspect Practice through research. The team includes psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and special educators.[10]
Aspect offers services across Australia and has central offices in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. Services provided by Aspect as stated on their website are listed below.
- A network of autism-specific schools and classes
- Early days workshops
- Tele-therapy Support
- Positive behaviour support
- Early intervention programs
- Autism Advisor Program
- A parent support network
- Educational outreach
- Aspect Assessments
- Choose & Connect
- Parent education and professional development workshops[8]
Positive Partnerships[edit]
Aspect is responsible for the delivery of Positive Partnerships. Positive Partnerships is a project available nationally. The program is delivered through schools and communities in workshop presentations and online through webinars. It is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training through the Helping Children with Autism package. The goal is to improve the educational outcomes of school-aged students with autism.[11]
Aspect Publications[edit]
Aspect publishes How-To Guides for parents and carers of children on the autism spectrum. The guides cover the topics of Positive Behaviour Support, toilet training, the transition to school, development of play skills, and social and emotional skills. The strategies given in the guides can be implemented by parents, professionals, daycare and educational settings.[12]
Governance and Structure[edit]
The Australian Tax Office classified Autism Spectrum Australia as a Public Benevolent Institution. The organisation is registered as an National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) service provider. Under the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, Aspect is registered as a public company. The organisation’s Board of Directors exercises power vested in it by the Corporations Act 2001.[13]
The Board of Directors oversee Aspect's Constitution, Regulations, Policies, Corporate Governance Declaration, Administration Structure, Certification Statements (Third Party Verification - NSW Disability Services Standards), National Standards for Disability Services (NSDS) Accreditation Certificate, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Accreditation Certificate and Annual Reporting.
The board of Directors is made up of a group of people who are drawn from a range of fields of experience in business, academics, and social welfare groups. Multiple Directors on the Board have children on the autism spectrum. Aspect’s Constitution allows for ten members to be elected Directors on the Board with a three-year term, additionally, the Board has the authority to assign two ‘Board-appointed Directors’ with a twelve-month term. The current Board of Directors are Julie Hamblin as the Chair, Henry Capra as the Deputy Chair and Honorary Treasurer and Robert J. Brown, Annette Gallard, Laurie Horin, Paul Khoury, Pamela Rutledge and Paul Vevers.[14]
Executive Team[edit]
Adrian Ford, The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Company Secretary became CEO of Aspect during August 2000. Ford is a Director and previous Chairperson to the Australian Advisory Board on autism spectrum disorders, and on the board of the Disability & Home Care Expert Advisory Group on Children and Young People with a Disability and their Families. The CEO is also an associate of the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Autism CRC) as a director, a representative to the National Disability Services (NDS) NSW Advisory Committee as well as a Chairperson in the NSW Dept. of Ageing.[15]
In addition to Ford, there are 7 National Directors whom have different positions across the organisation.
Strategy, Vision, Values and Mission[edit]
Aspect follows a strategic plan based on the needs of their stakeholders. The plan is set to encourage performance and further competitive advantage within the organisation. The organisation understands that when it comes to those on the autism spectrum, there is no “one size fits all approach” and people are valued as individuals.
Aspect's purpose is to encourage, understand, engage and celebrate the gifts, interests and ambitions of those on the autism spectrum. The organisation's vision is to create an abundance of opportunities for those living with autism. Aspect’s mission is to help a variety of people with autism from all ages to propose and deliver personalised, evidence-based solutions that can be introduced into the every-day life to those on the autism spectrum. The organisation values encompass being committed to help people, being open to positivity and about the possibilities. Aspect implemented a three-year planning process which is assessed annually to ensure the values, vision and mission are aligned.[13] [16]
Aspect Strategic Partners[edit]
Aspect works in strategic alliances with other not-for-profit organisations aligned in the area of assisting people on the autism spectrum.
Strategic alliance partnerships include:
- Australian Autism Alliance[17]
- The Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC)[18]
- Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders[19]
- Sunshine[20]
Support for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)[edit]
Aspect supported the introduction of a national funding mechanism. Aspect considered it to be vital to building a quality and sustainable form of service delivery for people who identify with an autism spectrum disorder. A Disability Care and Support Proposal was made to the Productivity Commission in support of the Federal Government funding proposal.
The nationally funded program would become the NDIS, the National Disability Insurance Scheme. In 2013, Aspect was one of the initial autism specific service providers approved to deliver NDIS services in the trial areas of ACT, Hunter, the Nepean Blue Mountains and Barwon.
Aspect is a provider registered through NDIS. Aspect offers a range of supports and services across stages of life. Services offered include early intervention supports for early childhood, functional assessment, specialised equipment, positive behaviour support, psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, access to social workers and special educators.[21]
References[edit]
- ↑ Commission, Productivity (2011). "Disability Care and Support". SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.2006098. ISSN 1556-5068.
- ↑ "Homepage - Autism Awareness Australia". Autism Awareness Australia. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Australian Institue of Health and Welfare. "Autism in Australia". Australian Government.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Statistics, c=AU; o=Commonwealth of Australia; ou=Australian Bureau of. "Main Features - Key Findings". www.abs.gov.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ "Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) | Department of Social Services, Australian Government". www.dss.gov.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Our story | Autism Spectrum". www.autismspectrum.org.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ "What's a Different Brilliant? | Autism Spectrum". www.autismspectrum.org.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect). "Disability Care & Support Proposal for the Productivity 23 Commission" (PDF).
- ↑ "Autism Spectrum Australia, Author at 2018 Aspect Autism in Education Conference - AIE 2018". 2018 Aspect Autism in Education Conference - AIE 2018. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ "CareCareers". www.carecareers.com.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ "Positive Partnerships | Working together to support school aged students on the autism spectrum". www.positivepartnerships.com.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ "How to guide - special bundle offer | Autism Spectrum". www.autismspectrum.org.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Sheppard, Brodey. "Autism Spectrum Australia Charity Information - PrizeHomeTickets.com.au". www.prizehometickets.com.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ "Our Board of Directors | Autism Spectrum". www.autismspectrum.org.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ "Our Executive Team | Autism Spectrum". www.autismspectrum.org.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ "Home - 2018 Aspect Autism in Education Conference - AIE 2018". www.autismineducation.org.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ "Australian Autism Alliance | Australia's Strong Voice For Autism". www.australianautismalliance.org.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ "Home | Autism CRC". www.autismcrc.com.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ "Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders - Home". www.autismadvisoryboard.org.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ "Unisson Disability – NDIS Provider". sunshinelgd.org.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
- ↑ "National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) | Autism Spectrum". www.autismspectrum.org.au. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
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