Professional development

Suite of best practice resources released to build capacity around autism

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Freya Lucas

Apr 22, 2024

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Federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth has announced the release of a suite of best-practice resources developed by Autism CRC, with input from autistic people, parents, practitioners and other experts, during a visit to the Daphne St Childcare and Specialist Early Learning Centre in Adelaide.

“I commend Autism CRC for their ongoing commitment to supporting the autistic community, through the practical translation of research into resources that help professionals and families,” Minister Rishworth said.

The resources have been designed not only to build the capacity of practitioners to deliver the best evidence-based services and supports, but also empower families and carers to make informed choices, delivering on a key action outlined in the Draft National Autism Strategy, which was launched for public consultation earlier this month.

“Autistic people tell us that they want services and supports to be evidence-based and to be confident they have comprehensive access to the latest information,” Minister Rishworth said.

“These resources will support practitioners, autistic people, and their families, through the often overwhelming stages of identification, assessment, diagnosis, support and decision-making.”

Based on the National Guideline for supporting the learning, participation, and wellbeing of autistic children and their families in Australia, the resources include an eLearning short course on Guideline-based practice, resources for use in pre-service education and training, and resources to help guide individuals and families in planning and managing their journey.

The creators of the resources hope they will help practitioners, service providers, educators, peak bodies, government bodies and families to gain a better understanding of how to best meet autistic children’s support needs ‒ doing so in ways that are safe, effective, and desirable to children and their families.

Minister Rishworth also announced an updated set of evidence based, best-practice guidelines in the launch of the second edition of the National Guideline for the assessment and diagnosis of autism in Australia, first released in 2018.

The updated Guideline includes more accessible and neurodiversity-affirming language, incorporates the latest evidence-based practice recommendations, and promotes greater flexibility throughout the assessment and diagnosis process.

More information about Autism CRC’s new resources is available on www.autismcrc.com.au.

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