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Autism SA Vision
Leading the way through knowledge,
understanding and acceptance.
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Autism SA Mission Statement
To deliver specialised services and
promote community awareness to facilitate an inclusive
community that values individuals and families living
with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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In 1964, a group of parents joined together
to employ a teacher to work with their children with autism.
By the early 1970s, the group had gone from renting a room
on Greenhill Road to securing premises at Crammond House
in Norwood for the Autistic Children’s School. At that
time there were approximately ten clients and programs
were run at the school and in the home. The service expanded
quickly, and soon teachers were integrating children with
autism into other school settings. As the ages, numbers,
and needs of the client population grew, the range of services
that the Clinic School offered widened. A fundraising program
was initiated to secure a permanent home for the growing
school, and in 1975, the current premises at Fisher Street
were bought.
By the early 1990’s the organisation had
several hundred clients, and was providing early intervention
programs, school support programs, vocational and post-school
options and family support. It was also at this time that
diagnostic criteria for Asperger syndrome was published
and Autism SA began to offer services and support to individuals
with this disorder. Since then the number of clients registered
with Autism SA has risen to over 1900.
In 2004 a new direction was taken in corporate
identity and the Autism Association of South Australia established
the trading name of ‘Autism SA’. The corporate
identity change included a new logo and a change in corporate
colours.
Underpinning the services provided by
Autism SA are the beliefs that:
- A person with an Autism Spectrum
Disorder has the same rights as other people in society.
- The interests of the person with
an Autism Spectrum Disorder and society are best met when
the conditions of everyday living are as close as possible
to the patterns of mainstream society.
- Each person with an Autism Spectrum
Disorder is an individual with his/her own special strengths
and needs, and these must be recognised in the support
given to the person and the family.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder affects
the whole family.
- Support is best provided to people
with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families when
parents and professionals work together in a spirit of
mutual respect and cooperation.
- The interests of the family are best
provided for by Autism SA incorporating in its programs
the opportunity for parents to grow in their understanding
of Autism Spectrum Disorders, and have access to a range
of support mechanisms.
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Services provided
by Autism SA
Autism SA has a philosophical
approach to service delivery that is eclectic and holistic.
Programs Funded under the Federal Government’s Helping Children with Autism Package:
The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) website
This website was launched as part of the $190 million Helping
Children with Autism package, aims to benefit parents, carers and professionals
with information, online resources and interactive functions. The website will
include ‘impartial, evidence-based information about ASD and early intervention
treatments available to children with ASD’.
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Strategic Directions
Strategic Plan 2009-2013
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Organisational
Information
Autism SA is an incorporated, not-for-profit
organisation governed by a duly-elected Board of Management.
Board of Management
Autism SA is managed by a Board of Management
elected at the Annual General Meeting each year. The Board
of Management is comprised of 4 parent representatives,
a staff representative and representatives with expertise
in Autism Spectrum Disorder, finance, law and management.
Subcommittees of the board include the Executive and Finance
Committee, Policy and Ethics Committee and Development Committee.
Board of Management 2008/2009
| Neil White |
President, Management Expertise |
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Abbey-Leigh Dalton |
Consumer Rep |
| Troy Mohler |
Vice President, Consumer Rep |
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Dr Manya Angley |
ASD Expertise |
| Katharine Annear |
Consumer Rep |
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Gabrielle Canny |
Legal Expertise |
| Amanda Tulloch- Hoskins
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Consumer Rep |
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Amanda Harris |
Member elected by Autism SA staff |
| Jenny Karavolos |
Treasurer, Financial Expertise |
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Funding
Approximately 65% of Autism SA's funding is
derived from Government sources. The majority of this funding
is provided for the Early Development Program and the School
Program from the Ministerial Advisory Committee: Students with
Disability, for educational services. Other government funding
is received from the Disability Services Office, for social
skills groups, the intensive behaviour program, speech pathology,
occupational therapy, family support and for some of our adult
programs. Additional funding for adult programs is also received
from the Department of Family and Community Services.
All remaining funds have to be raised by Autism SA.
This is achieved through charges for training and development
programs, seeking grants for particular projects, fees for some
services, donations and fundraising activities. Click
here to see how you can help with our fundraising events.
Constitution
Autism Association of South Australia Incorporated Constitution is current from 25th September 2005.
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Annual Report
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Policies and
Procedures
For a full list of Autism SA Policies and
Procedures, click here. Autism SA policy manuals are also available online in the Service Excellence section on the Department of Health website.
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Family Support Groups
These groups are a vital support for many
families. To view a list of groups available click
here.
Research
More information about current research,
click here.
Vacant Positions
Administration Officer – Casual
The Australian Education and Training Consortium (AAETC) has been selected as the provider to develop and deliver the Positive Partnerships professional development program for teachers and other school staff and workshops and information sessions for parent/carers across Australia. This project is part of the Commonwealth Government‘s Helping Children with Autism package and this initiative is being implemented by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
The Administration Officer position will be responsible for supporting the delivery teams and various administrative functions at the Professional Development and Parent/Carer workshops delivered throughout South Australia, there will be some travel involved.
For further information on the position and how to apply, please click here.
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