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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-02-03 Daily Xml
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AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

38 Mr HANNA (Mitchell) (30 September 2008).

1. How many South Australian children have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and how has this number changed over the past decade?

2. What level of funding does a child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder receive?

3. How does this compare with Western Australia and New South Wales?

4. Does a family with a child diagnosed with a autism spectrum disorder and not reliant on the services provided by Autism SA receive any financial assistance from the government to be paid directly to their chosen accredited therapist and, if not, why not?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Northern Suburbs, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability): In 2007-08 541 children were diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in South Australia. These diagnoses were made through assessments conducted at Autism SA, with private practitioners and in the public health system. 266 of the children were diagnosed with autism and 275 with Asperger syndrome. This compares to 136 diagnoses of ASD made by Autism SA in 1998 according to Autism SA.

In South Australia children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder are able to receive a range of disability, education and health services in addition to services from Autism SA. It is not possible to indicate a specific level of funding for a child with an ASD as services are provided and prioritized for children with an ASD on the basis of individual need not on a pre-determined level of funding. Not all children with an ASD will require the same level of service. However, the following provides an estimate of the level of funding per child for early childhood intervention services funded by the Department for Families and Communities.

Please note that this does not reflect total funding for all services available to children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in South Australia, as it does not include services that they may receive from the South Australian Department of Health, the South Australian Department for Education and Children's Services, the Federal Government or non-government agencies.

In 2007-08 Disability SA spent approximately $2.1 million on early childhood intervention services for children aged 0-8 years. Disability SA provides early childhood intervention services to children 0-8 years that possess significant developmental delay and/or intellectual disability. This includes children who have ASD. While early childhood services are provided up to 8 years of age, more intensive services are targeted to pre-school aged children. However it is not possible to differentiate average funding levels for children aged 0-5 and 5-8.

As at 8 October 2008 Disability SA is providing services to 1108 children 0-8 years. 491 of these children have Autism Spectrum Disorder (44%).

On the basis of this figure, average funding for early childhood intervention is approximately $1895 per child. However, as stated previously this is an average based on total funding and the actual level of services received by each child varies according to their individual needs.

The Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) recently requested additional information from each State regarding services for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder including any estimates of funding per child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. This level of information is not provided by all States at this time but is in the process of being compiled.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder can access early intervention therapy services from Autism SA, Disability SA or Community Health Services. The State Government does not provide payment to private therapists.

The introduction of the Commonwealth Helping Families with Autism package there will now be greater flexibility for families. As outlined previously, families of children prior to school entry will now be able to access Commonwealth funding of $6000 per year for 2 years to access services from members of the early intervention provider panel. Providers must be multi-disciplinary practices or individual who have formed consortiums to ensure a multi-disciplinary intervention. Families will also be able to access a Medicare rebate for 20 therapy services. Many families may also able to access intervention with a Medicare rebate under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Initiatives.

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