2021 Annual Report

Chief Executive Officer's Report During the past 12 months we delivered on our Strategic Directions by ensuring high quality services, engagement with families, building organisational capacity, service growth and pursuing innovation. While it has also been a year of challenge, especially in relation to the pandemic; we worked through these events, adapted services during the COVID-19 lockdowns, supported individuals and families during local bushfires and ensured that all individuals and families were minimally impacted and supported during these times.

Key achievements include expansion of Early Intervention, School Age Services and Positive Behaviour Support. This year we supported 7,885 service users in all service areas; delivered therapy services to 3,472 children and adults through 9 service hubs across the metropolitan area; assisted over 400 individuals to access employment; expanded diagnostic services for children and youth; established a new early childhood centre in Midland; progressed a major new development in Joondalup; supported parent groups and supported regional services. We opened 4 new shared living homes, supporting a total of 87 community-based homes, including 61 Shared Living homes. In addition, we supported over 4,653 individuals and families through consultancies and assisted over 900 adults with community options. We maintained our international networks this year, including our West Australian Sister State Relationship with East Java, Indonesia. This is part of the State Government’s Sister State Agreement with East Java to support disability inclusion through professional development and community development Again this year, we engaged with research, extended national and state-wide networks while continuing to promote and facilitate ‘best practice’ in the field of Autism. In addition, we were extremely pleased to launch a number of initiatives to support inclusion in the community which have all been extremely well received. This includes, the Autism Alert Card in partnership with the Western Australian Police Force; the Health and Dental Training Program for Allied Health Professionals; as well as the Autism Early Childhood Champions for Day Care Centres across metropolitan and regional Western Australia. We also worked in partnership with the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) to support health professionals who are working directly with Aboriginal communities across Western Australia.

2020-21 has been another pivotal year working to support individuals with Autism and their families with growth across all service areas.

Joan McKenna Kerr Chief Executive Officer

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2021 18