Autism Association of WA 2020 Annual Report

Chief Executive Officer’s Report

2019–20 was a challenging and defining year for the Autism Association as we grew services, supported people with Autism and responded to the challenges of COVID-19. We delivered on our Strategic Directions by ensuring high quality services, service growth, engagement with families, building organisational capacity, and pursuing innovation. There was growth in all services this year including: diagnostic services for children and youth; early intervention for young children; school age support programs; and services for adults, including individual community support, employment and community living. Over the past 12 months we undertook further planning to expand services and design new services. Additional work also took place to prepare for the full transition in the coming year to NDIS and Quality and Safeguarding Commission. While the second half of the year was characterised by the advent of COVID-19 and the stress experienced by families, we continued to provide services in all of our support programs. What remained unchanged during this time was our dedication to supporting people with Autism and their families. Additionally, we adapted services, where required, during the pandemic to continue this support. Key achievements this year include expansion of Early Intervention and School Age Services across 8 dedicated centres; we supported over 3,153 individuals with therapy services and supported families thought our parent support groups; we supported 85 community-based homes, including 55 shared living homes; and assisted over 523 individuals with employment. In addition, over 4,256 families were assisted by our Autism Advisors and 176 diagnostic assessments were completed for young children. This year, we were extremely pleased to launch the Youth Diagnostic Specialist Team for individuals aged between 13 years and 30 years of age. We also maintained our international networks this year, including our Sister State relationship with East Java, Indonesia. We engaged with research, extended national state-wide networks and continued to promote and facilitate ‘best practice’ in the field of Autism. Furthermore, we spearheaded several new projects to improve health outcomes for people with Autism.

"While no one could have anticipated COVID-19 and its disruption, what remained unchanged during this year was our dedication to supporting people with Autism and their families. Additionally we adapted services, where required, during the pandemic."

Joan McKenna Kerr Chief Executive Officer

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