Autism Association 2022 Annual Report

Chief Executive Officer’s Report In the last 12 months, we delivered on our strategic objectives by delivering high quality services to people with Autism in a wide range of services from early childhood to adulthood. In addition, we expanded a number of services including community support, individual and shared living, and diagnostic services. We also consolidated therapy services in early intervention, school age children, young adults and positive behaviour support. In 2021/22, we also worked with the health sector, sporting organisations, businesses, and the Western Australia Police Force to foster a deeper understanding of people with Autism and to create an inclusive community. We developed online and in-person training courses for doctors, nurses and dentists as well as working with the Western Australia Police Force to develop training resources for officers and new recruits. Of course, COVID-19 has been an ever-present phenomenon throughout the year, requiring a significant focus on keeping the people we support and our staff as safe as possible. Despite this, we worked through the challenges, adapted services, and worked closely with individuals and families. The biggest challenge this year, however, has been workforce shortages. This was not only due to staff illness or required COVID-19 isolation; there were also workforce shortages beyond these considerations. This has certainly impacted service expansion. This year we supported 7,454 service users in all service areas; delivered therapy services to 3,848 children and adults; we assisted over 338 individuals to access employment; and supported 263 adults with Autism to access skill and recreational community opportunities. We expanded diagnostic services for children and youth, completing approximately 400 diagnostic assessments, and expanded the number of community homes that we support to 80, including 60 group homes and 20 individual homes. We also provided a range of services to individuals and families in regional and remote Western Australia through a number of programs. During the last 12 months, we again engaged with research. We extended national and state-wide networks while continuing to promote and facilitate best practice in the field of Autism. We maintained our international networks, including our Western Australian Sister State Relationship with East Java through webinars and online forums reaching not only East Java but across Indonesia. We look forward to the time when we can continue this work in person. In the coming year, we will continue to build our infrastructure through digital transformation. This will allow us to deliver on our mission to people with Autism and significantly increase our capacity to expand services and supports in the coming years. We are also embarking on a 5-year housing development program as well as a refurbishment program to support individuals requiring full-time care.

Despite the many challenges of COVID-19

and workforce shortages, this

has been a year of consolidation and expansion in a range of services.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2022 18