Autism Association 2025 Annual Report

We commenced a number of infrastructure projects this year to support service expansion and development, including a new service hub in Joondalup for individuals and families. We also undertook redevelopment of our Hay Street facilities to support staff training, service expansion and service outreach. Building work also took place to support the expansion of Community Living support services. Our international connections continued in 2024/2025, marking the 13 th anniversary of our work as part of the sister-state relationship between Western Australia and East Java. In November 2024 we were pleased to visit East Java, delivering a four-day intensive masterclass to over 1,000 alumni, teachers, and health professionals. It goes without saying that we were very pleased with the excellent result of our NDIS Accreditation Audit. The outcome was a true reflection on our dedication to providing high quality services that reflect the needs of the individuals and families we support. The past year continued to be one of change in many areas across the disability sector. However, what has stayed the same is our enduring dedication to ensuring every Autistic person has the opportunities they need to lead a good life, whether as a child or an adult. We worked to accomplish this through our advocacy, our collaboration with others and the support services we provide.

Throughout the last 12 months, we worked with Autistic people, their families, community organisations, schools, healthcare providers and employers to make inclusion an ever-increasing reality for all; and we look forward to doing so again in the coming year. We now look forward to November 2025 when we will host the Asia Pacific Autism Conference (APAC 2025). We expect that this will be a wonderful event – the first of its kind since before COVID-19. We will bring together leaders, including Autistic individuals and families, academics, teachers and a wide range of professionals from over 28 countries to reflect on Creating and Inspiring the Future Together . I would like to thank all of our stakeholders for their ongoing support. I would also like to again acknowledge the dedicated work and support of our Board, led by Dr Rob Storer, and the staff at the Autism Association for their commitment and dedicated work during the year. Thank you to members of the community, our donors, community based organisations and public sector organisations with whom we work. Lastly, thank you to Autistic individuals and their families for leading our direction and continuing to teach and inspire us every day.

Joan McKenna Kerr AM Chief Executive Officer

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