Autism Tasmania Services

Family Support

Autism Tasmania facilitates support groups and provides information and practical help to people on the autism spectrum, parents, other family members and care providers through the state-wide Family Support Service.

Autism Advisor Service

From offices in Hobart and Launceston the association specifically helps parents and carers of young children on the autism spectrum throughout Tasmania, as part of the Commonwealth Government’s Helping Children with Autism initiative.

Early Days

Early Days provides workshops for mothers, fathers and other family carers of children 6 years and under who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or are going through the assessment and diagnosis process.

Resource Library | Spectrum News | Training | Workshops

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects what an individual sees, hears and senses.

This can result in difficulties of communication, social interaction and behaviour. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that occurs on a continuum. This means that symptoms can occur in many varieties and with varying degrees of intensity; some people may have a diagnosis of Autistic Disorder, some might be diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome or high functioning Autism, still others may have a diagnosis of pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), otherwise referred to as atypical Autism.

While each person with ASD is a unique individual, they share 3 core clinical characteristics and may have difficulties with social interaction, communication and lack flexibility in thinking and behaviour.

It is estimated that the prevalence of ASD in Australia is 1 child in every 160. Some estimate it at 1 in 100. It is no longer considered a low incidence condition. On these estimates, every 20 minutes a person is diagnosed with ASD in Australia.