Media Releases Archives - Autism Tasmania

Autism Month 2024: Be Open to Sensory Safety – Tasmania Leading the Way Ahead of National Reform

Posted on April 3, 2024 by AT COMMS TEAM

Amidst the national conversation about reform to the NDIS and the release of the draft National Autism Strategy, Autism Tasmania is leading the way to neurodiversity inclusion with the launch of our Be Open to Sensory Safety campaign in Autism Month 2024. Between 69 and 95 percent of the 1 in 70 Australians who are autistic experience atypical sensory processing. Sensory processing differences affect how autistic people process and experience stimuli and sensory input. Inputs that neurotypical people don’t notice, can be overwhelming to autistic people or even cause physical pain. When Autism Tasmania conducted extensive community engagement as part […]

Candidates – Autism Tasmania at Risk Due to Dangerous Lag in Funding

Posted on March 19, 2024 by AT COMMS TEAM

An urgent call from Autism Tasmania. Autism Tasmania is calling for all candidates for the upcoming state election to pledge their commitment to Autism and to fund Autism Tasmania. View the Candidate Pledge in Full “The new Tasmanian Government needs the help of Autism Tasmania” said CEO, Donna Blanchard, “But please, help us continue to help the community too. A dangerous lag in funding puts the delivery of vital services and connections for autistic Tasmanians at risk.” Due to the array of major national reforms, the new Tasmanian government is now responsible for leading the design, integration, and delivery of […]

New Australian Disability Strategy

Posted on December 3, 2021 (December 3, 2021) by AutismTS

Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 which replaces and builds on the previous National Disability Strategy 2010-2020, is Australia’s national disability policy framework. It sets out a plan for governments and stakeholders across Australia to improve the lives of people with disability in Australia over the next ten years. For the first time, the strategy’s implementation and monitoring will be overseen by a government-appointed council comprising people with disability from the community and disability sector. The strategy has been welcomed by a range of disability representative organisations for the new features it contains to drive action and change over the coming decade. […]

Autism Assistance Dog Funded by NDIS

Posted on August 27, 2021 (August 31, 2021) by Donna Blanchard

After three years of battling with NDIS, the Bugg family have finally secured funding for an autism assistance dog (AAD) for their autistic son Lucas. Relying on human touch to sleep at night, six-year-old Lucas found sleeping in his own bed impossible. However, just four weeks after getting his AAD his parents said “The benefits have been immeasurable. They’re just that massive.” Lucas’ dog Vinnie is one of just a few assistance dogs funded through the NDIS. Funding is vital as it costs around $50,000 to train an AAD which is then provided to the family for free. Read the […]

Autism Terminology is important

Posted on April 9, 2021 (September 4, 2022) by Donna Blanchard

The Autism Tasmania Board has endorsed a Terminology Policy that recognises the dual importance of: consistent use of terms that match the collective preferences expressed by the Autism community, and working in parallel to always follow individual preferences expressed by each person. Autism Tasmania will adopt this terminology in all communications and will work to encourage other organisations and the media to join us. View the Terminology Policy here. […]