Focus Areas at a glance

An inclusive and knowledgeable South Australia where every Autistic person can thrive.

All people, including Autistic people, have the same fundamental rights – to enjoy their community and experience the highest levels of physical, emotional, and mental health.

It is not the responsibility of Autistic people to adapt to the world around them. Instead, the community requires greater understanding, and knowledge around autism, recognising it is a natural and ordinary part of human diversity.

Despite the many achievements to date in broad disability inclusion, we know there is more needed to truly realise our vision.

This Strategy is a positive step forward and provides the Government of South Australia with a roadmap that will complement existing efforts, while also seeking new and innovative opportunities for service, support and program/policy reform to improve outcomes for the South Australian Autistic and autism communities.

The Strategy will be a 5-year plan, to support Autistic South Australians across all stages of life.

The emerging themes identified during the consultation process have set the basis upon which the Strategy’s priority areas have been designed. We call these Focus Areas. Some Focus Areas will need to be prioritised as they require immediate action, whilst others will be undertaken in a staged effort and/or across the life of the Strategy as existing work continues, new initiatives emerge, and other reforms mature.

Focus Area 1: Pathways to diagnosis

Improving the accessibility of diagnosis and awareness of diagnostic services for Autistic people. Actions within this Focus Area address key barriers in accessing a diagnostic assessment, including availability and affordability and the continued misconceptions of autism that increase the prevalence of misdiagnosis and under-diagnosis.

Focus Area 2: Positive educational experiences

Improving school community and staff understanding of autism and improving school environments and supports for Autistic children and students. This Focus Area addresses the lack of knowledge, understanding and awareness of autism in education and care settings and the need for improved neuro-diversity affirming strategies and transitional supports for Autistic children and students in preschool, primary, and secondary school environments.

Focus Area 3: Thriving in the workplace

Improving inclusivity of recruitment practices and creating a meaningful and inclusive workplace for Autistic people to thrive in. Actions within this Focus Area address the barriers experienced by Autistic people in the workplace, including the need for more inclusive recruitment processes and workplace supports, which enable Autistic people to enter and actively participate in the workforce.

Focus Area 4: Access to supports and services

Improving access to information on services and supports for Autistic people and their families. This Focus Area addresses the barriers faced by Autistic people and their families and carers in accessing appropriate and timely supports and services that meet their needs.

Focus Area 5: Participation in the community

Improving sensory consideration in the built environment and opportunities for Autistic people to participate in the world around them. Actions within this Focus Area address the inclusion and participation of Autistic people of all ages, by considering strategies to address sensory and accessibility challenges.

Focus Area 6: Access to health and mental health services

Improving the accessibility of health and mental health services for the Autistic and autism communities. This Focus Area addresses the barriers Autistic people and their families continue to face when accessing health and mental health services and supports.

Focus Area 7: Interactions with the justice system

Improving understanding of autism and enabling access to support services within the criminal justice system (both youth and adult systems). This Focus Area aims to improve the experiences of Autistic people who come into contact with the criminal justice system (including victims, suspects, defendants and offenders) and ensure they are able to access necessary supports and services.

These Focus Areas underpin the wider process of building knowledge, understanding and acceptance, which is essential to realising our vision: 'An inclusive and knowledgeable South Australia where every Autistic person can thrive'.

Autism Inclusion Charter

In addition to the Strategy, the Autism Inclusion Charter has been launched by the Government of South Australia and is now being implemented across all government departments. The Charter, coordinated by the Office for Autism, demonstrates the ongoing commitment by government agencies to improve outcomes for Autistic people.

The Charter identifies four key principles for all agencies to commit to and supports the identified Focus Areas within the Strategy. Whilst the Strategy will drive long-term change, the Charter has been developed to complement and enhance activities, maximise opportunity for innovation and progress, and champion genuine engagement and inclusion.