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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-09-18 Daily Xml
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Autism

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Disability. What initiatives are the state government supporting to help people with autism and their families?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:46): I thank the member for her question, and I also acknowledge the enormous contribution she makes to the sector. As members present would be aware, autism is a lifelong developmental disability, characterised by marked difficulties in social interaction, impaired communication, restricted and repetitive interest, and behavioural and sensory sensitivities.

People with autism, their families and carers face many daily challenges. The help of qualified and knowledgeable health professionals and community service providers is essential in providing expert advice, support and encouragement, which will enable people with autism to fulfil their potential. In 2012, an ABS survey showed that an estimated 115,400 Australians had autism, an increase of 79 per cent from—

Mr KNOLL: Point of order, Mr Speaker. This relates directly to a press release put out by DCSI on 1 September.

The SPEAKER: I will listen to the minister and wait until the member for Schubert can give me a duplicate paragraph. Minister.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: I am sure that the stats are published, and they have not changed since 2012; you are quite right—an estimated increase of 79 per cent from—

Mr Knoll: A 79 per cent increase—

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: That's right, since 2009.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: That's the latest available figures, that's correct. These figures are alarming and show that we cannot rely on one service sector to meet the needs of autism. Is that the same? I am waiting.

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Right. More specialised services are needed.

The SPEAKER: I warn the Minister for Disabilities for goading the member for Schubert, who is only doing the house a service.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Also, more community health professionals need to be trained to recognise and work with people with autism. This is why, in the 2010-11 state budget, an additional $4.2 million was committed by the state government over four years to support children with autism spectrum disorder. As part of this budget commitment, the statewide autism project was funded by the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion to develop a South Australian autism service improvement framework. I was very pleased to open a new PsychMed statewide autism clinic on 1 September in Netley.

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: That's correct; that's a fact. The state government helped fund, in collaboration with Autism SA and PsychMed SA, a new clinic for the provision of services specialising in support for children with an ASD diagnosis.

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: No. The clinic will give families and clients who are receiving Autism SA services access to psychological services and enhanced referral pathways in one location. The new venture will also provide training accreditation for up to 60 health professionals every year and promote engagement between the tertiary sector, Autism SA, key stakeholders and consumers, enabling evaluation of research and approaches to the treatment of ASD.

I am pleased to inform the house that currently there are two practitioners working at the clinic and a further two will join in October this year. The clinic has already seen around 20 new clients since its opening, with many more to come as more practitioners join the facility.

An honourable member: Boring.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: No, it wasn't Hartley. I don't think providing services for people with autism is boring. I think it is quite embarrassing that the member should say that; it's disgraceful, actually. This new clinic is a great example of the government, the not-for-profit sector and the private sectors working together to help improve the lives of children with autism, their families and carers. Importantly, this partnership fulfils the priorities identified in the plan, as detailed in the final report, 'A Plan of Action for Improving the Autism Service System in South Australia'. The opening of the clinic is a landmark for people with autism and their families. I am pleased that the—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Yes, the minister's time has expired. The deputy leader.

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