Helping Children with Autism
Information for Parents and Carers - Overview
Autism Advisors
Early Intervention Service Provider Panel
Autism specific early learning and child care centres
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Playgroup Program
ASD Workshops
ASD Website
Frequently asked questions - FaHCSIA initiatives
Fact sheet - FaHCSIA initiatives
The Australian Government has committed $190 million for four years to June 2012 to deliver the Helping Children with Autism package. The package will help address the considerable need for support and services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).
The Helping Children with Autism package is the first national initiative to help families deal with this challenging disorder and is a major breakthrough in support for children and their families.
Research has shown that two years of early intervention in a child's pre-school years makes a substantial contribution to their development. Children with an ASD up to six years of age who have not yet commenced full time school will have access to early intervention services under the Helping Children with Autism package.
A number of initiatives will be implemented nationally by the Departments of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), Health and Ageing (DoHA), and Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
FaHCSIA is working very closely with DoHA, DEEWR and state and territory government agencies to ensure that new investment in supporting children with autism is delivered in a collaborative and coordinated way that augments activity that is already available.
FaHCSIA will oversee the implementation of the following initiatives:
- education and support for families and carers of children with ASDs, and
- increased access to early intervention programs for children aged zero to six years of age with ASDs.
All initiatives include support for families, carers and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as rural and remote areas.
More information
For more information about the Helping Children with Autism package:- phone 1800 289 177, or
- email asd@fahcsia.gov.au
The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) uses the National Relay Service (NRS) to ensure our contact numbers are accessible to people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment.
To access a standard, mobile, 1300, or 1900 FaHCSIA number:
- TTY users - phone 133 677 then ask for the phone number you wish to contact
- Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users - phone 1300 555 727 then ask for the phone number you wish to contact
- Internet relay users - visit the National Relay Service website and ask for the phone number you wish to contact.
To access a 1800 FaHCSIA number:
- TTY users - phone 1800 555 677 then ask for the 1800 toll-free number you wish to contact
- Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users - phone 1800 555 727 then ask for the 1800 toll-free number you wish to contact
- Internet relay users - visit the National Relay Service website and ask for the 1800 toll-free number you wish to contact.
For more information visit the National Relay Service website .