Autism Association Annual Report 2023

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Annual Report

Contents

What is Autism?

Autism Diagnostic Assessment

Our Strategic Directions

Regional Services

Services Overview

Support for Parents and Families

Collaboration with Healthcare 50 Community Development and Inclusion 52 Inclusion in Sport 58 International Collaboration 62 World Autism Month 64 Talking About Autism 70 Community Giving 72 In Conclusion 74

President’s Report

The Board

Chief Executive Officer’s Report

Therapy and Clinical Services

Community Living

Individual Community Options

AIM Employment

Short Breaks

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

It is estimated that 1 in 100 people in Australia have Autism

Following a survey with the individuals and families we support, this report uses both person first language (“person with Autism” or “person on the Autism Spectrum”), and identity first language (“Autistic person”), in recognition of the different preferences around language in the Autism community. See page 70 for more information on this survey. Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Autism Spectrum Disorder* is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts on child development in a number of key areas, including communication, social interaction and repetitive patterns of behaviour. Autism is frequently associated with sensory sensitivities and sensory processing difficulties. While Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex lifelong developmental disability, with appropriate intervention, children and adults with Autism can make significant progress and live fulfilling lives. Consequently, it is imperative that individuals with Autism have access to specialist services that understand their needs and are experienced in developing their skills and strengths. *For ease of use, the term ‘Autism’ will be used throughout this report to refer to Autism Spectrum Disorder. What is Autism?

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Our Purpose To advance the personal development, equality of opportunity and community participation of people with Autism and related disabilities

Our Values Passion

to make the greatest difference

Respect

for the uniqueness of each person Commitment to treat individuals and families as we ourselves would like to be treated Excellence in all that we undertake Innovation to fulfill dreams and aspirations Courage to strenuously advocate for people with Autism and their families

Our Culture Belief

in great possibilities for every child and adult with Autism

Driven Respect Learn Dream

to assist each individual to achieve for individuals, families and advocates from people with Autism and their families

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

we dream BIG for each individual

Goal 1 Enhance the lives of people with Autism

Goal 2 Support families and carers

Goal 3 Influence and promote best practice Goal 4 Increase organisational capacity and efficiency

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

The Autism Association of Western Australia is one of Australia’s largest service providers, and the only Autism specific organisation providing a full range of services for children and adults in Australia. Established in 1967, our services are person -centred and based on leading international peer-reviewed research in the field of Autism. We are deeply committed to enhancing the quality of life of every individual with Autism and their families, and are passionate about supporting them to live their best life possible. Services Overview

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

For Children

The First Steps for Autism Early Intervention Program

School Age Therapy The School Age service provides a comprehensive range of intervention, therapy and support to school-aged children between 6 and 18 years of age. Our multidisciplinary team of Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and Teachers, work together to respond to the needs of each individual child and their family. Our service is child and family centred and works collaboratively with schools, the family and other community services to maximise the educational and social progress of each child.

The Early Intervention program provides multidisciplinary therapy for children up to 7 years of age and is based on a wide body of up-to-date international research. The program operates with an experienced clinical team, including Speech Pathologists, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Early Childhood Educators. Each family is assigned a therapist who partners with them to develop individual intervention plans that are tailored to the needs of each child. The aim of the program is to maximise child development and inclusion in mainstream settings. Short Breaks (Respite) Short Breaks provides a home away from home, where children 6 to18 years old can stay on weekends or school holidays to do the things they enjoy, explore friendships and build confidence and independence. Short Breaks are provided in a range of ways, either at one of our homes in the Perth Metropolitan area, at the child’s own home or through our community support programs.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Positive Behaviour Support The Positive Behaviour Support service supports individuals 6 years and over with complex needs, who are living at home with their family. The team is multidisciplinary and works closely with individuals and families to support them to achieve positive outcomes.

For Adults

Community Living Community Living provides support to adults moving from their family home into a home of their own. Options include support to live independently, close to family and friends, or to share a home with another person or a small group with comprehensive support. The Community Living team work with individuals and families to determine the supports that best meet their needs and circumstances to achieve their home and living goals. AIM Employment The AIM Employment program is a highly regarded, specialist employment service focusing on securing and maintaining employment for people with Autism. We provide comprehensive support to individuals to find jobs that are matched to their goals, skills and abilities. Employment opportunities encompass a range of work settings from individual commercial environments to supported business partnerships in the community. Each person is provided with on-the-job training and continuing support tailored to their needs.

Individual Community Options There are a range of support services that can be chosen by the individual and their family to assist them to participate in the community, as well as at home. We work closely with each person to identify the support that best suits them. Our aim is to provide the support the person wants, at the time they want it and in ways that meet their needs. This can include developing a range of new skills and lifelong learning initiatives towards independence, further education, volunteering or pre-employment assistance. Therapy and Clinical Services Therapy and Clinical Services assist individuals to develop their skills, maximise their independence and participate in the community. Our multidisciplinary team draws on the strengths of a range of therapists from different professional backgrounds to create a service that is tailored to each individual’s needs and goals. We work closely with each person and their family to achieve outcomes that are important to them in a range of environments, including home, education, employment and recreation settings.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Information and Advice Our advisory and information services provide information and advice to families and community members. This includes, but is not limited to, diagnosis, mainstream supports, education, community organisations, the NDIS and more. In addition, information is available via brochures, fact sheets and in our publications. Support Groups Support groups are tailored to an individual’s or family’s journey and focus on their needs at different stages of their life. Groups are also available for families of newly diagnosed children, school-aged children, adolescents and adults with Autism.

Parent, Family and Education Workshops Workshops are designed to provide practical strategies, information and resources to support families, teachers and others to support Autistic individuals in a range of contexts. They can be delivered face-to-face or as webinars.

For Families

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Other Supports

Diagnosis Diagnostic services are available for young, pre-school children, in addition to our Youth Diagnostic Clinic for individuals from 13 to 30 years old. The specialist assessment team includes a Consultant Paediatrician, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychologists and Speech Pathologists.

Professional Training and Development Our multidisciplinary teams provide training services to a range of professionals and other groups, including teachers, allied health professionals, service providers, employers and the broader community. We host leading international training and professional development for researchers and practitioners in the field of Autism.

Regional Outreach We offer a range of services to families living in regional and remote areas through support and consultancy. This includes individual support to families and their support networks via regional trips, webinars and telephone consultancy. There is also a school holiday program where families come to Perth and connect with each other while program-development work is being undertaken with their children.

Support Coordination Support Coordinators specialise in supporting people with Autism and their families to navigate their choice of services and supports available. Support Coordinators have extensive knowledge of specialist and mainstream supports across Western Australia.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

President’s Report

2022/2023 was another year of significant work in supporting people with Autism and their families. This year, we continued our work of delivering person-centred services and promoting best practice and inclusion across the West Australian community. The demand for our services continued to grow in all areas of service delivery. However, workforce shortages experienced in the disability sector challenged our ability to respond fully to the high level of demand. Strategically, we continued on course with our digital transformation. This is essential in the operating environment of NDIS and will make the work of service expansion to individuals and families significantly easier.

We completed a 5-year infrastructure development initiative which is already showing important outcomes for families. This initiative involves a range of measures, including work with community partners to augment these significant service development plans. We also increased initiatives in collaboration with community organisations and businesses to enhance inclusion and equal opportunity for Autistic people in the community, especially in employment. This year, we also extended our work with the disability sector in Western Australia, nationwide and internationally. This included work with a delegation from Singapore and our continuing partnership with East Java, Indonesia. I would like to give special thanks to our stakeholders, including the West Australian

Community, the State Government through the Department of Communities, the Commonwealth Government Department of Social Services and other government and non-government organisations. I would also like to extend my thanks to the Board for their dedication and significant time on the mission of the organisation and its advancement. I would like to thank our Chief Executive Officer, Joan McKenna Kerr, for the significant body of work undertaken this year and her dedication to the support of people with Autism and their families. Lastly, I would like to thank all our staff for their dedication and contribution to creating the best life possible for the people we serve.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Dr Rob Storer President and Chair of the Board

The Board

Dr Rob Storer CHAIRMAN

Dr Storer is a Consultant Anaesthetist and long-term member of the Autism Association. He has been actively involved in leading the Board at a time of major strategic development, maintaining a keen interest in the field of disability, as well as Autism. Dr Storer is also a Committee Member of the Western Australian Branch of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists and of the Anaesthetic Departments of both St John of God Subiaco and Murdoch.

Mr Geoff Kidd VICE CHAIRMAN Mr Kidd is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand, and has over 40 years’ experience in professional practice as an Accountant and Business Adviser to a wide range of clients. Until his retirement in 2015, he was the Managing Partner and Chief Executive of the Perth office and a member of the national executive of large multinational firm, Crowe Horwath. Mr Kidd has been a former State Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and has been a member of a number of not-for profit boards, including 10 years as a board member of Lifeline WA. Dr Duncan Monro Dr Monro has over 30 years’ experience as a Chartered Accountant and Business Advisor in Australia and internationally. He previously worked as Principal in the Finance division of RSM Australia Pty Ltd for the large accounting firms KPMG and Crowe Australasia. Dr Monro currently serves on the boards of other not-for-profit organisations, including Central Desert Native Title Services Limited, Yued Aboriginal Corporation, Yilka – Trustee Advisory Committee, Denmark Arts Council Inc. and South Coast Natural Resource Management Inc. Dr Monro has worked in a diverse selection of industries. His experience covers a wide range of areas, including business valuations, due diligence, business planning, financial mentoring and advisory services for Indigenous entities, and general financial consulting.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Mrs Vicki Rank Mrs Rank is a Senior International Training Specialist in industrial software. She has been a family member of the Autism Association for over 21 years and is married with 2 children. Mrs Rank has been an active member of the Autism Association for more than 2 decades and has supported the Association in public education, fundraising and other projects throughout the years.

Mr Mark Altus Mr Altus has held a number of senior positions in his career. He is a former Chair of the Curtin Business School Advisory Board for the School of Economics and Finance. He was a Director of LLL Australia Ltd, an APRA-regulated Authorised Deposit Taking Institution. As a former Public Servant, he has held a number of positions in the WA Department of Treasury, including Director of Revenue and Intergovernmental Relations. Mr Altus also undertook a secondment to the University of Western Australia as its Chief Financial Officer. He was also a member of the University’s Senate Strategic Resources Committee. Mr Altus is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently chairs Lutheran Homes Foundation (WA) Inc. As a lawyer, Ms Vinciullo believes in access to justice; she is a passionate supporter of a West Australian-based legal not-for-profit, chairing and speaking at law conferences locally and abroad. The vision and values of the Autism Association resonate with Ms Vinciullo’s commitment to apply her commercial acumen to promulgate access to essential community services. Ms Carla Vinciullo Ms Vinciullo is a Lawyer with over 17 years’ experience working in Perth and Sydney. She has a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Melbourne. Specialising in industrial relations, employment law and work health safety, Ms Vinciullo is one of Australia’s leading employer-focussed workplace lawyers. Ms Vinciullo advises on all aspects of workplace and safety law, and represents clients in all industrial commissions, courts and tribunals where such disputes are heard. Mrs Bobby Brownhill Mrs Brownhill has been actively involved in the field of disability over many years, both in Australia and overseas. Prior to returning to Western Australia from Melbourne, where she and her family had been living, Mrs Brownhill represented Mansfield Autistic Services on the Victorian State Council for Autism. As the mother of a son with Autism, she is involved with parent support groups and accommodation projects. Mrs Brownhill is also involved in advocacy for people living with a disability and their parents.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Chief Executive Officer’s Report

first step and we look forward to extending this work in the coming year. Demand for diagnostic services also grew this year. Largely, this was the result of families seeking to understand their son’s or daughter’s difficulties, and getting the right support from mainstream and specialist services. We also commenced the iHOAP project this year, funded by the Department of Communities. This is a systemic advocacy project to improve health outcomes for people with Autism and others with complex communication needs. The project will work with individuals, health professionals and family members. The scope of this work will include primary health care, allied health care, oral health care and mental health care. Our overseas work in East Java, as part of the Sister State relationship with Western Australia, reached its11 th anniversary this year. Because we are still in the early stages of the post pandemic environment, with COVID-19 still a disease to take very seriously, our work has mostly been via video conferencing and webinars. We were delighted, however, to have a delegation visit from Singapore to explore Community Living options with a view to their further development in Singapore.

In preparation for continuing service expansion, we continued a significant body of work on digital transformation this year. In addition, we undertook focused work in cyber and information security to protect all data in an increasingly high-risk cyber environment. We also continued our statewide, national and international collaboration, promoting evidence based practice to support people with Autism. To this end, we were very pleased to confirm that we will be hosting the Asia Pacific Autism Conference (APAC 2025) in Perth in November 2025. I would like to thank members of the community, our donors, our colleagues, community-based organisations and public sector organisations with whom we work and who provide us with support. I would also like to acknowledge the dedicated work and support of our Board, led by Dr Rob Storer. In addition, a special thanks must go to our dedicated staff, our families and Autistic individuals. We look forward to the coming year and the opportunities it brings to further our support to people with Autism and their families.

We continued on our path of strategic development this year, despite the many challenges with workforce shortages and the “post pandemic” operating environment. Demand for all of our services remained very high but, unfortunately, we were unable to respond fully in a number of service areas due to workforce shortages. Despite these challenges, we delivered on our strategic objectives, continuing to deliver high-quality services to people with Autism and their families. In addition, we worked with colleagues at a state, national and international level to improve opportunities and support for Autistic people in our community. We commenced our 5-year infrastructure plan in the last 12 months to support service development now and into the future. In addition to a number of important self-funded strategic initiatives, we also collaborated with a group of commercial entities to assist in the furtherance of this work. This year, we also liaised with legal advisors and the Department of Communities to make home ownership more accessible for individuals with higher support needs. This is a very important

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Joan McKenna Kerr Chief Executive Officer

Year Highlights

7,267 Individuals supported

829 Children received Early Intervention

400 Diagnostic assessments undertaken 544

Consultancies undertaken 3,000 4,056 NDIS individual plans supported 3,117 Therapy packages delivered 5- Year Infrastructure development plan

Individuals assisted in employment and community participation

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

80 Homes supported

5 New community inclusion projects

10 Regional communities supported

Services Delivered 2022-2023

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

• Diagnostic services for children and youths • Multidisciplinary Early Intervention services for newly diagnosed children • Primary and high school support for children and adolescents • After school and social groups • Community support programs for children and adults • Open employment support program • Community Living – individual and small group homes • Family support programs and groups for parents and siblings • Regional support services, including consultancy, webinars and our school holiday program • Information and advice to individuals, families and community members • Therapy services • Positive Behaviour Support programs • Professional development services for teachers, allied health and other professionals

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Therapy and Clinical Services

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

This year, Therapy and Clinical Services continued to support over 3,117 individuals across Early Intervention, School Age, Adult therapy services, and Positive Behaviour Support. Our First Steps Early Intervention team supported 829 children up to 7 years of age. Children accessed a range of supports to build their confidence and learn new skills in a range of environments, including home, school, community and group sessions preparing for school. The Early Intervention team expanded to include Early Childhood Teachers, to support successful transitions to the first year of school. Across the year, School Age services supported 1,253 children and adolescents 8 to 15 years of age. We have continued to develop contemporary approaches to embedding therapy goals into each child’s individual education plan. We worked with schools, creating strong partnerships with teachers to deliver positive outcomes for each student we support. Social Magic, a new curriculum we developed for after-school groups, was launched this year. Over 350 children participated in this program that focuses on self-awareness, understanding others, communication and friendships. Over the year, 735 adults accessed therapy supports across a range of settings, including home, employment and in the community. The focus in this area has been on increasing skill and social opportunities for each individual.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Community Living

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Our Community Living service offers a range of options for people to live in their own home. These include living alone with visiting support tailored to individual needs and goals or joining a group of 1 or 2 other people with the full-time support of staff. This year, we supported 80 homes of which 60 are group homes and 20 are individual homes. To provide for the expansion of accommodation options for individuals with Autism, we embarked on a 5-year housing development strategy to support individuals requiring full-time care. As part of this strategy, a number of projects are currently underway with support from the Department of Communities, as well as commercial entities, to build and develop new purpose-built homes. Unfortunately, COVID-19 remained a reality throughout the year. Our Community Living COVID Response Team continued to provide a 24/7 response to staff and individuals. This year, 159 of the people we support in Community Living needed support to isolate and we assisted them through the full-time care of our staff. Additionally, this year, our Registered Nursing team have worked closely with Community Living to ensure individuals have their health and wellbeing needs closely monitored and have regular support from medical professionals.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Mattie’s New Home

Over the past 2 years, Mattie has been waiting for a new home to be built for him, and this year he moved into his new home. To get this home ready, we worked alongside the Department of Communities to shape the home to Mattie’s needs. Detail is very important to Mattie and he likes things to be organised and planned. When the time came to move into his forever home, everyone came together to make the transition as smooth as possible. Mattie’s support team were carefully selected to best support his needs and goals, and they met with his family and therapists so they could get to know Mattie and his interests and support needs. Before moving day, Mattie and his support team went on regular outings so they could get to know one another and build relationships. Moving home is a big change, so time was spent preparing for the move using a Social Story and checklists throughout the day. This included saying goodbye to his old home, placing his belongings into the rooms of his new home and setting up a visual schedule. Each Sunday, Mattie builds his own weekly schedule with his support team, which includes photos of the staff who will be supporting him during the week, any visitors he is expecting, and the activities of the week. Mattie enjoys cooking and is working through an extensive collection of cookbooks. On Mondays, he makes muffins, Wednesdays are homemade pizza days and Sundays are Pancake Days! Mattie continues to adapt to his new home, staff, and surroundings. He has started to create a picture wall where photos from his outings with his support team are placed, to look back on and share the wonderful times they have together. Welcome to your new home Mattie!

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Individual Community Options

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

This year, we supported more than 250 individuals to get out and explore more of the things they enjoy and like to do. Every single person we support has different goals, needs and interests. Our support staff provide tailored supports, unique to each person, to participate in activities they enjoy and that work towards achieving their aspirations. We support people of all ages across a wide range of activities in their home and out in the community, including strengthening personal independence skills, getting involved in recreational and social activities, and preparing for finding volunteering and employment opportunities. This year, we continued to foster relationships with 43 community businesses and not-for-profit organisations, to increase the number of volunteering and work experience opportunities. New partnerships created include Guzman y Gomez, Containers for Change, IKEA, Donut King and Kleenheat. We continued to increase the number of social get-together groups for adults of all ages, interests and abilities. Across the year, 120 individuals attended more than 24 regular social activities to get to know each other and develop friendships. Our get-together groups are based on interests identified by the individuals who attend. The number of options and locations has expanded this year, with members of the groups helping to plan and facilitate get-togethers. Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) was a popular option with a number of D&D groups offered across the metropolitan area. Other get-together activities included gaming, job club, Anime, mindfulness, board games, monthly socials, cooking, mini golf, walking crew, music and swimming.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

AIM Employment

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

This year, the Autism in Mainstream (AIM) Employment program supported 313 job seekers to secure work across a range of industries and sectors, including government, administration, information technology, banking and finance, healthcare, warehousing, universities, mining, hospitality, retail and many more. A IM Employment is highly regarded as a successful specialist employment program for people with Autism. This year, we continued to increase our partnerships, with new partners such as Indigo, The Perth Mint, Garbi Distributors, Maurice Meade and government departments, as well as increasing our placements with Hospitality Disability Network (HDN). Skills shortages across the state continue to result in more conversations with prospective employers and an increase in opportunities for Autistic individuals. We connected with employers and recruitment teams through a range of platforms, including LinkedIn. We trained and matched individuals with jobs, supported people with on-the-job training and worked with employers to expand new opportunities for job seekers with Autism. We continued to provide training sessions to community businesses, employers and government departments to increase their understanding of Autism, and provide them with the knowledge to better support individuals with Autism in the workplace. This year, we provided training to employers, including Bankwest, Hospitality Disability Network, City of Wanneroo, Rio Tinto, Bizlink and CSIRO. Several employers also attended a virtual training presentation during World Autism Month. Throughout 2022/23, we continued to work with schools and families to provide information on employment pathways and post-school support options. We consolidated our NDIS Employment supports including school leavers and older jobseekers to bring all employment services, including Disability Employment Services (DES), into a unified employment services program. In addition, we continued to establish internship opportunities for Autistic individuals in collaboration with Curtin University’s Autism Academy for Software Quality Assurance (AASQA) program.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

James Finds his Trade

At the same time, ALCAN Fire Safety, who are contracted to provide fire safety services to the Association, approached our AIM Employment program to discuss opportunities for our job seekers. James had been looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship for a while but had not found the right role. Supported by one of our Employment Consultants, ALCAN Director, Ali, created a role for James that met the needs of the business and catered to James’ areas of interest. From day one, James has been made very welcome by Ali and his team, and he is enjoying his role as a Trades Assistant/Fire Equipment Servicing Technician. When he is not working, James spends his spare time on his hobbies and interests such as cars, tattoos and gaming. We wish James all the best in his new role! After gaining some work experience in the electrical and mechanical area in regional Western Australia, James wanted to find work in a trade in Perth.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Short Breaks

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Short Breaks is an important support service for families. A break away doing things they enjoy is something children look forward to. Short Breaks provides a wonderful opportunity for children to make long term connections and friendships with children they spend time with while away for the weekend. Our program carefully matches each child based on age, gender, support needs and interests. Care is taken to ensure children stay with other children they get along with, so they can have an enjoyable break and look forward to coming back time and time again. A number of short break options are available, from a single overnight stay to a long weekend. This year, 44 children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 18 years stayed for weekend breaks in one of our homes. Throughout the day, we ensure children can engage in their favourite hobbies and spend time out and about in the community. A variety of outings and activities are available depending on the needs and preferences of the children.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Blake is a regular visitor at our Short Breaks homes and he looks forward to his weekend stays with his friends. Blake is a very busy and active young man who is always on the lookout for something to investigate or explore. Blake’s Reaching New Heights

Activities he enjoys include walking, going to the beach, visiting the park, swimming and bouncing on the trampoline. Recently, Blake developed an interest in climbing and often attends Latitude with his peers and support staff during Short Breaks. This high intensity activity is now a routine exercise for Blake while staying at Short Breaks, and his determination and enthusiasm inspires his peers. Through regular outings to practice his climbing skills, Blake has learnt the ropes, completing the indoor climbing apparatus with confidence. He has even made his way to the top of the climbing wall in record time, earning him the title “ King of the Castle ”.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Autism Diagnostic Assessment

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

We provide 2 specialist diagnostic services: the Children’s Diagnostic Clinic for children from the age of 2 years and the Youth Diagnostic Service for individuals from 13 to 30 years of age.

This year, we completed approximately 400 diagnostic assessments in both the Youth and Children’s Diagnostic Clinics.

Children’s Diagnostic Clinic Our specialist Children’s Autism Diagnostic Clinic provides multidisciplinary assessments for young children. The multidisciplinary assessment team includes a Consultant Paediatrician, Psychologist and Speech Pathologist. Youth Diagnostic Clinic Since its establishment in 2020, the Autism Association’s specialist Youth Autism Diagnostic Clinic has been in high demand. It is a highly regarded differential diagnostic service with a specialist team that includes a Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychologists and Speech Pathologists. Comprehensive assessment contributes to improved outcomes for young people by gaining access to the support they need.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Regional Services

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

This year, we continued to provide a range of supports to families living in regional areas of Western Australia. Services provided include consultancy, holiday programs, online training, teletherapy and individual programs. The regional team travelled to regional areas throughout the year including Albany, Geraldton, Jurien Bay, Kalbarri, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Port Hedland, South Hedland, Northam and Roebourne. These trips were focussed on building the capacity of the local community through training, information, workshops and consultancy. We worked with families, service providers, allied health professionals and Early Childhood Educators. Additionally, during these visits, therapists worked with families to develop individualised therapy plans to implement into daily routines. We visited local schools to provide support for teachers to adapt the curriculum to better support students with Autism in school. To support Aboriginal families to identify Autism, we collaborated with Aboriginal Interpreting WA to develop resources in 5 Indigenous languages. We also developed a range of visual resources that can be used in children’s learning environments to support the inclusion of children with Autism, and collaborated with local professionals on supporting families and linking them with support pathways. We hosted a holiday program during the July and January school holidays where we welcomed 65 families who travelled to Perth to be part of the program. Over 5 days, children participated in a range of fun activities focused on developing their social communication, play, self-care and fine and gross motor skills. Families received support and resources to assist them in their parenting role at home, in addition to building networks of support and friendships that continue when they return home.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

The school holidays are a really good time to come down and [take part in the program]. We always see a big leap for Poppy. First it was sensory, then it was moving into friendships and understanding other people. And now, it’s really focused in on friendships – the program has really developed around her. Same structures – same faces and families, but our needs have grown, and the Autism Association has grown with us. Not only does Poppy get support, but we do as parents too. You feel really heard, really seen and really supported. We feel really supported and validated. We know there are other people going through the same thing. We don’t feel self conscious about our child either – it’s a safe space. The effects are lasting – Poppy takes everything she learns home from here and so do we.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Samantha and Callum, Poppy’s parents

Regional Intensive Program

Support for Parents and Families

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Ensuring families have the opportunity to create connections with other parents with similar experiences is extremely important. Groups ran throughout the year to provide resources, information, workshops, webinars and events for parents and carers. This year, we collaborated with Parenting Connection WA to provide more opportunities for regional families to link in with specialist training and advice. To date, over 500 families have connected into our live workshops. Additionally, we hosted our first educational forum for school-aged families. Leaders from the Department of Education, Catholic Education Western Australia and Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia presented at this information session for parents and carers to learn about the different educational sectors and the supports available. Parent Coffee Groups - MyTime The MyTime Parent Support Groups continued weekly throughout the year, with 8 groups and 2 dads’ groups running throughout the Perth metropolitan areas. These groups support families to build connections, gain peer support, share their stories and experiences, and develop tips and strategies to support their son or daughter. Throughout the year, we also hosted parent social events which were a great success, including a movie night and a Lego and pizza night for fathers and their children. Siblings Program This year, we launched a new Siblings Program designed for children 6 to 13 years of age. There are 2 groups for different ages, with a focus on building resilience and supporting emotional wellbeing. Playgroup Our partnership with the Department of Education Child and Parent Centres continued to expand with support from Telethon. Across the year, 230 families attended these playgroups and were able to talk to our staff and Play Leaders about support pathways. These programs have also created opportunities for local staff to develop their knowledge and understanding of Autism and to support parents to join the playgroup.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

My son, Sterling, was diagnosed late 2022 with Autism. I saw the flyer for MyTime on his classroom door and noticed it read “meet other families” and thought I’d give it a go. Originally, the idea of a hot coffee and a chat sounded like a holiday. But MyTime has become so much more than that for me. It is a safe space where I can go every week, chat and bond with other families who have children just like my son, people who could relate, who actually understood. After trying typical play groups and leaving feeling judged and unhappy, here at MyTime there are no sympathetic looks, no judgement, just understanding. After the first few weeks, I thought I’d finally found my people and was excited to attend every week. Now after almost a year of attending MyTime, I have met some awesome people, given and received advice, learnt a lot of different perspectives and alternate strategies to help me, my son and our family. At 32, I never thought I’d be making new friends, but MyTime has really helped me find my village.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

MyTime

Nichole Chaytor, parent

Collaboration with Healthcare

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

In 2022, we were awarded a grant by the Department of Communities through the Western Australia State Disability Systemic Advocacy Program, to deliver a 3-year project, Improving Health Outcomes for Autistic People (iHOAP). This project is aligned with the National Roadmap for Improving the Health of People with Intellectual Disability and is focused on supporting people with Autism and other complex communication needs to access health services, as well as building the capacity of health professionals to deliver high quality health services to Autistic individuals. Over the course of the project, we will work with Autistic people, their families and caregivers, and health professionals to design and produce training materials, resources and policy briefs across health services such as oral health, primary health, allied health and mental health. To better support children with Autism and families attending the Emergency Department, we have worked closely with physicians at Perth Children’s Hospital. This has involved providing feedback on a Neurodivergent Care Plan that is now being used, and co-developing a survey to gather information about the experiences of Autistic children who have attended the Emergency Department. This year, we continued our collaboration with Curtin School of Oral Health Therapy. We delivered workshops to train final year Oral Health Therapy students on Autism and supported to deliver Autism-friendly oral health clinics. In May, 22 children and young people who previously had difficulty with attending dental clinics attended appointments in the Oral Health Clinic, all of which were highly successful. Some families commented that they never thought their child would be able to attend a dental appointment, but through these sessions were able to tolerate the environment and receive dental treatment. Further clinics are scheduled with plans to expand to monthly oral health clinics. In addition, from 2024, Autism-specific training will be embedded in the final year curriculum for Oral Health Therapy students.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Community Development and Inclusion

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Inclusive Communities Project

We continued to expand our community partnerships to create opportunities for individuals with Autism to participate in local community events and activities. Thanks to support from the Department of Communities, our Inclusive Communities program expanded to create collaborations with organisations across Western Australia with over 50 community collaborations established this year. In 2022/23, we launched the Inclusive Communities webpage, providing individuals, families and community members with information on upcoming events and access to downloadable resources to attend local venues. We hosted a wide range of sensory events at well-known venues, welcoming over 1,000 attendees at sensory sessions at the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip, The Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA), Art Gallery of Western Australia, The Backlot Perth, Scitech and Sensitive Santa sessions at local shopping centres. Autism Early Childhood Champions Our Autism Champions program provided intensive training and program development for 300 childcare providers across Western Australia. Simultaneously, the team developed a range of resources to support educators to adapt the environment and the early childhood curriculum to support greater inclusion of children with diverse learning needs. This year, the Autism Champions team was named as a finalist in the 2023 WA Disability Support Awards Excellence in Innovation category. This nomination recognised the significant contribution the program has made to improving inclusion and participation of children with Autism in childcare centres across Western Australia.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

We attended today at Karrinyup, and it was the best! Beautiful helpers! Beautiful photographers! Excellent Santa! Stress free, calm, welcoming and we got amazing photos! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Thank you so much, what you do is wonderful. We are only recently diagnosed but that experience was just so wonderful compared to our usual visit.

Thank you to everyone involved who made this happen. It means so much to us to be able to attend with our son and for him to be comfortable. We stayed for 2 hours last night and I think our son would have been happy to stay longer which for us is incredible.

It was amazing! We have been to Scitech many times in the past, often ending in meltdowns. Last night was calm, fun and really wonderful to be around non-judgemental people while we could engage and enjoy the centre.

The best part was having the opportunity for my son to attend Scitech and be comfortable enough to be himself and enjoy it. We are extemely grateful to have this experience.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Inclusion in Sport

A UTISM C RICKE

Autism in Cricket At the launch of the 2022/2023 cricket season, over 200 participants registered to attend our third Annual Come and Try Session at the WACA Ground. The day was a huge success, with children and adolescents participating in cricket activities with the support of the West Australian Cricket Association and Autism Association staff. Families also had the opportunity to meet Adam Gilchrist, the program Ambassador, and to talk with other cricket leaders. Families were also supported to register with their local community club and form relationships with the coaches and club personnel. Throughout the season, we provided training and consultation to cricket clubs to support children to have a positive sporting experience. The program continues to gain state, national and international recognition for its work in creating more accessible sporting opportunities for people with Autism.

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

Purple Hands Foundation Sensory Room

Autism Association of Western Australia - Annual Report 2023

As a part of our Community Inclusion Project, the Fremantle Dockers charitable foundation (Purple Hands Foundation), established a new sensory room for Fremantle Dockers home games at Optus Stadium.

As part of the project, we provided advice and guidance in developing a space for individuals with sensory sensitivities. This space was created with input from Autistic individuals and their families, in order to provide a break from the bright lights, loud noises and large crowds of the stadium during Fremantle Dockers home games. The program has been a success, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from the West Australian Community. Reports from families have highlighted their excitement in being able to come to a Fremantle Dockers game, knowing there is support available.

See more about the Sensory Room here

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