Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I moved this motion to raise awareness about the significant impact that autism spectrum disorders have on the lives of individuals diagnosed with this condition as well as the lives of parents raising children with autism spectrum disorders and their families. A number of families in my local community in southern Adelaide have raised concerns with me about the challenges they face and, importantly, the need for support to be available for their children, particularly at key points. Among those key points are transition points in their lives, particularly the transition to school.

The motion notes the significant impact that autism spectrum disorders have on the lives of individuals diagnosed with this condition. This term, autism spectrum disorders, is an umbrella term for a pervasive developmental disorder such as autism or Asperger's syndrome. Individuals diagnosed with this can experience more or less severe behavioural abnormalities. Individuals diagnosed can often have difficulties with social interaction, communication and imaginative play. In terms of social interaction, children with autism can lack awareness of emotions experienced by others, can be unable to comprehend the consequences of their own behaviour and can prefer isolation to the company of others, presenting significant challenges for interacting with the world around them. In terms of communication, children with autism can experience delayed speech development, can develop unusual speech patterns to do with volume or speed and can develop unusual forms of communication, such as imitation. In terms of imaginative play, children with autism can often develop an intense preoccupation with a singular interest and become fixated on particular interests to the exclusion of all else. Children with autism can also have associated learning disabilities.

Studies suggest that the prevalence of autism has been increasing, and I know that a number of families from my electorate are experiencing challenges. In some ways they would not change their children but what they are really talking about is that it is having an impact on them and they would like support in how to deal with this challenge.

The motion recognises the considerable challenges, as I said, and the need for support for a child with autism. The experience of raising a child can be, at times, trying. But most important is the need for support. Parents often experience and certainly have communicated to me a lot of anxiety about obtaining a diagnosis and whether or not they should. Some have tried over and over again without much success. However, that anxiety does not just stop if there is a diagnosis made because it can also create further anxiety about what it means for the future for the child who they love very dearly, what it will mean for the rest of their lives and what it will mean for their family.

It is important to note that the research shows that a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder can have a significant impact on the lives of parents who are constantly negotiating and often accommodating to protect their child from potential hazards or repeatedly demonstrating basic tasks such as how to blow one's nose. Children will also demonstrate severe tantrums. It is often said that attributes such as patience and persistence are required by all parents but they are, as many parents have made it clear to me, really required to a greater extent in parenting a child with autism.

A number of studies also point to a higher prevalence of mood disorders among parents with children with autism, such as depression and anxiety. Autism can also affect the relationships with relatives and the wider community as well as marital relationships. I have heard some very sad stories about marital breakdown as a result of the stresses that are placed on a family when looking after a child with autism. Certainly in my local electorate a lot of parents have felt very isolated about it. They do not really feel that parents of kids without autism understand what they are going through.

In addition, there are emotional and financial pressures. Most parents I speak to want to give the very best opportunities to their kids, especially if they do suffer from autism, and get the right services in place. This can place a financial stress on the family. Parents have to also deal with perhaps brothers or sisters and manage those family relationships as well. It is difficult.

I have spoken to a lot of families in my electorate who are very concerned about this issue. One person I am going to speak about today is Coby Hudson of Hackham West. She is one of the many parents of children with autism in my local community. Coby has two boys aged eight and 10, both who are placed on the autism spectrum. Several years ago Coby started with a group which organises camps for families with children on the autism spectrum because when talking to other parents of children with autism she realised that they often felt so isolated, as I mentioned, that marriages were strained, that breakdown could particularly happen when people looked for someone to blame for a difficult situation and that families often had little positive time together because they were often working through the challenges presented. Coby found the camps created an important support network for families and siblings to talk with other people in the same situation. I must commend her very strongly for doing this because this is something that a lot of parents have indicated that they would really like.

It was really important to be in an environment that is free of stigma. Often parents feel that there are a lot of prying eyes of those in the community who do not understand autism disorders. Coby is now looking forward to developing a new project called 'Absolutely Autism' to provide support for individuals with autism and their families. Her story is a very special story, because it indicates some very special work that she is doing. She has been concerned; she said that often she has people in the community labelling her child as naughty because they fail to understand some of the issues. There are a whole range of things that have affected her.

There is no doubt that autism spectrum disorders do have an impact. That is why I was so proud to be part of this government, that actually did implement a package for the first time—assistance for early intervention with autism. We do know that early intervention is critical in improving the cognitive, emotional and social development of children. The federal government did have the $220 million Helping Children with Autism package. Obviously, as I said, it ensures that we get in early and assist those parents. This package is quite important because it enables young children with autism to access up to $12,000 in funding for early intervention services, before the child's seventh birthday, as well as providing a range of other measures—access to autism advisers, family support and playgroups. I have spoken to a number of families who have really appreciated this support.

I would say, though, that a lot of parents have been concerned when that support is finished. In particular they notice a real drop-off in the transitional phase as children go to school, when they have been accessing the Helping Children with Autism package and then have to have the services at school. I have to say that a lot of parents have raised this transitional issue with me, that services are disjointed—they are not seamless—and they certainly do not transition seamlessly from before school to at school.

I think that most parents would attest to the fact that with children getting older it does not get any easier. Certainly, ensuring that services continue to be provided is really important. That is why this motion does call on the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to work closely to ensure that there is a seamless provision of services to families with children with autism spectrum disorders, especially at key points of transition such as from early childhood to primary schooling and from secondary schooling to further education and training in the workforce. I think that if we are able to provide this support to families and this support to individuals then we can really help them to achieve everything that they can. I think that is so critically important.

I look forward to continuing to work in this parliament and also with the states and territories to ensure that the services that are provided really do help families in need.

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