Julia Irwin (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am pleased to second the motion moved by the member for Werriwa. Autism spectrum disorder affects more than one child in every 100 in Australia. Autism refers to a group of developmental disorders that affect a person’s interaction, communication and behavioural patterns from mild to severe degrees. In New South Wales alone autism affects 43,000 people. It is a disability which, as the motion recognises, can be addressed by intervention such as special education, speech therapy, occupational therapy and other behavioural interventions. To be most effective those interventions should begin at an early age when they can lead to those affected achieving a full and productive life.

In south-western Sydney the rate of autism is, for unknown reasons, higher than in other parts of Australia. In this less well-developed part of Sydney, which is home to more than one million people, autism services are stretched to the limit. Waiting lists can be as long as two years. When early diagnosis and intervention is critical for success, the delays can reduce the effectiveness of intervention programs. This puts further pressure on dedicated parents anxious to help their children to lead a normal life.

Among the most effective ways of assisting children with autism spectrum disorder is access to specialised childcare facilities. Centres which provide the appropriate education and therapy as well as developing the skills and resources of parents represent the best way of dealing with autism in urban communities.

My interest in the plight of families with children diagnosed with autism was refreshed by my constituent Mrs Grace Fava. As the mother of two boys aged four and six, both of whom have been diagnosed with moderate autism, Mrs Fava is well acquainted with the frustration faced by parents. Mrs Fava founded and is currently president of the Autism Advisory and Support Group. Her experiences have much in common with other parents in south-western Sydney. While services are targeted at those severely affected, those at the moderate and lower end of the scale have a greater potential to lead normal, productive lives. The lack of available services condemns them to achieving less than their full potential. In honouring an election commitment, the government has recently announced $190 million over five years to helping children with an autism package. In addition, the government is committed to the development of six autism specific childcare centres.

I am not one of those members who advocate resources for their own electorate when there is a stronger case for resources in other parts of Australia. In this case, however, there is a clear case for locating an autism specific centre in south-western Sydney. For people from other states and even for people from inner Sydney, it is often difficult to get across the sheer size of Sydney. With nearly four million people spread over 2,000 square kilometres, it is not a matter of saying one centre in Sydney can serve the whole area or population. In other parts of Sydney—in the eastern suburbs and inner western areas—general preschool disability services are available. Services such as speech therapy, which is an important part of autism intervention, however, are not as readily available in south-western Sydney as they are in other areas.

It is important to consider the needs of regional areas of Sydney if we are to effectively deliver these essential therapy services to the families in need of them. Too often we have seen families forced to spend many hours each day travelling to centres located far from their homes and employment. While I can appreciate that in country areas this is not unusual—and I do sympathise with isolated families—surely we can plan for the efficient delivery of services in our major cities in ways that reduce this costly and stressful burden on the families of children with disabilities. The location of one of the six autism specific centres in south-western Sydney is a much-needed step in providing these important services in a place close to the children and families who so desperately need them.

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