South Australia's first Autism Strategy

It is time to move beyond talking about creating autism awareness. It is time to build knowledge, understanding and acceptance to create lasting, and long overdue, cultural change across the South Australian community. 

What's being decided?

The State Government has listened to the calls from the South Australian Autistic and autism communities and has committed to co-designing with them the state’s first Autism Strategy (the Strategy) and Charter (the Charter). Meaningful cultural change and greater inclusion in our community can only come about by consulting, listening, and creating open dialogue with the Autistic and autism communities.

The Strategy will support a dedicated whole of Government approach to create a fairer and more inclusive society. The development and creation of the Strategy is an important step towards creating a more inclusive and knowledgeable society where Autistic people can meaningfully participate in the community.

Consultation

On 25 November 2022, the South Australian Government launched the State’s first Autism Strategy - Discussion Paper (including an Easy Read version) to support the consultation process. During the consultation process, Autistic people, parents and carers, non-government organisations, public sector agencies, local councils and other interested parties were invited to participate and have their voices heard in a range of ways, including:

•    YourSAy engagement

•    attending community forums/meetings

•    providing a written, video, verbal and/or drawing submission

•    contacting DHS directly via email and/or telephone.

Responses to the Discussion Paper

South Australia’s First Autism Strategy Discussion Paper – Consultation Report 2023 has been published after formal endorsement by the State Autism Strategy Advisory Committee. It captures what we heard from the Autistic and autism communities, via YourSAy, submissions and many direct discussions.

Public consultation on the Discussion Paper attracted record engagement with over 1200 responses, and 33* per cent of YourSAy responses coming from Autistic people.

View the full Consultation Report in print, accessible and Easy Read formats.

Consultation enquiries

If you have a consultation enquiry enquiries, please email: SAAutismStrategy@sa.gov.au.

What's next

A draft Charter and Strategy is currently in development and will undergo further consultation later in the year.

*We recognise that there may be people who are currently undiagnosed or do not feel comfortable disclosing their diagnosis and that this number may therefore not be representative of the total number of Autistic people who completed the YourSAy survey.