Govt details $190 million autism package

Wed 25 Jun 2008

Parents of autistic preschoolers will receive up to $12,000 over two years to help pay for early intervention programs.

The assistance is part of the federal government's $190 million election commitment to helping children with autism, which was outlined on Wednesday.

The package, which includes a rebate of $6,000 a year to fund early intervention programs, will be available to parents of children aged under six for the two years prior to school.

Up to 3,000 families would be eligible for the rebate this year, parliamentary secretary for disabilities Bill Shorten said.

"Some of the behavioural therapies are very expensive ... but at an early intervention centre, where you've got service providers, we are optimistic that this will go a substantial way," he said.

Mr Shorten said the package was "a re-configuration" of the previous Howard government's election commitment to autism, which was matched by Labor during last year's campaign.

"The Howard government was proposing a lot less into early intervention ... this is principally an early intervention package," Mr Shorten said.

"Early intervention makes a quantum difference in the quality of life for a child with autism."

Under the package, children up to the age of 12 will be eligible for Medicare rebates for diagnosis and 20 visits to allied health professionals.

There is also funding for development courses for 450 teachers to support students with autism and the appointment of 40 autism advisers Australia wide.

Families in rural and remote areas will also be eligible for an additional $2,000 to help access services.

The government says this part of the package will help 9,000 families.

Autism is a neurological disability with no known cause and it affects an estimated one in every 160 children.