South Australia's first Autism Strategy

Consultation has concluded. Thanks for your contributions.

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.

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.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    State Autism Strategy - Discussion Paper Survey

    These questions relate to the development of South Australia’s first Autism Strategy (the Strategy). The State Government is committed to creating a more inclusive and fairer society for all, bringing meaningful change to the community and our workforce through the development of the Strategy in addition to the creation of an Autism Charter.

    Your feedback will provide meaningful insight into the key priority areas which autistic and autism communities consider to be most important.

    Consultation has concluded. Thanks for your contributions.
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Expressions of Interest (EOI) - Autism Strategy Advisory Committee

    The committee will help guide the Government of South Australia about the first State Autism Strategy and the State Autism Charter.

    To apply to join this committee, please respond to the questions below.

    Consultation has concluded. Thanks for your contributions.