Media Release
Tuesday 26 august 2025

Supporting Autistic Children requires Systemic Reform & GEnuine Co-design

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network Australia and New Zealand welcomes Minister Mark Butler’s recognition that autistic children are valued, capable and deserving of inclusion and opportunity. We also note his assurance that no child will be removed from the NDIS until appropriate accessible alternatives are in place.

While these assurances are important, we remain concerned about the framing and potential impact of the proposed Thriving Kids program.

Our Concerns

  • Categories of Autism: The use of terms such as “mild” or “moderate” autism are administrative categories that do not reflect the lived reality of autistic people. Autism is lifelong, and support needs can be ongoing, fluctuate over time, and vary across settings. Oversimplified categories risk leading to service gaps rather than appropriate, individualised support.
  • Systemic issues: The NDIS faces genuine challenges, but these are primarily systemic, including administrative complexity, inconsistent planning, and market stewardship, not the presence of autistic children on the scheme. It is important that reforms address these underlying issues rather than shifting responsibility onto families.
  • Risk of Fragmentation: Moving children into new systems without clear protections may leave families navigating fragmented and under-resourced services. Any changes must ensure continuity and equity of support.

We call for Co-Design

We affirm the principle of “nothing about us without us.” ASAN AUNZ calls on government to:

  • Deliver meaningful co-design with autistic people, families, and representative organisations.
  • Provide transparency on how funding will be implemented, including program scope, eligibility, and timelines.
  • Ensure transition protections so that no child loses existing supports before new, appropriate services are in place.
  • Embed reforms within the framework of the National Autism Strategy and the NDIS Review’s layered model of Foundational Supports.

Early Intervention Programs

We note concerns about the proposed expansion of early intervention programs such as Inklings. While early support is vital, any program must be evidence-based, affirming of neurodivergence, and co-designed with autistic people and their families. Programs that prioritise reducing visible autistic traits risk causing harm by encouraging masking, which research links to poor mental health outcomes.

Conclusion

This moment presents an opportunity for reform that improves outcomes for autistic children and their families. To succeed, reforms must be grounded in evidence, co-designed with the community, and responsive to the lifelong and diverse nature of autism.

ASAN AUNZ stands ready to work with the Australian Autism Alliance, government, and community partners to ensure autistic people are at the centre of this process.

Please see ASAN AUNZ’s Statement on Supporting Autistic Children – Media Release 26 August 2025 here >

For media inquiries, please contact comms@asan-aunz.org and operations@asan-aunz.org.