Call to Action 3 - Family Support
We call for the development of a comprehensive and integrated system of providing support to families that are governed by the following principles:
- That families have access to a range of models for support
- That the models of support are flexible and responsive to the needs of families
- That specific services be targeted at meeting the needs of siblings of a person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
- That generic services be adequately informed and educated to provide appropriate support.
This is a critical priority for the following reasons:
- This a proactive strategy that decreases the likelihood of family breakdown, preventing progression to more expensive crisis responses
- It improves quality of life outcomes for both families and individuals
- Community awareness, knowledge and understanding is improved.
Progress
- A single State Government disability services system, Disability SA, is now established. New “one stop shops” will be created so people needing more than one service can get all the help they need in one place.
- The Autism SA Info Line (1300 AUTISM) was established in 2005 through grants and donations, this important new service requires ongoing support to operate.
- The “Someone to Turn to …“TM parent support program was implemented by Autism SA under a Memorandum of Understanding with Aspect Australia in 2006.