autisticspectrumcommunitysupport

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Oh my gosh, trying to find a web domain that's available a name that's suitable and get something set up is a pain. The truth just is that without this stuff, there is very little chance of actually being able to create change. Australia has been getting more and more shit for disabled people and that needs to change.

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Autistics’ Guide to Adulthood

Autistics’ Guide to Adulthood is a free, informative, accessible and engaging life skills resource for autistic adults. It has been co-designed by autistic adults and professionals working with a national advisory group, and informed by research. You do not need to be registered for a service to access this service, and it covers topics as they impact autistic adults.

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Random Websites

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Accessing The DSP With Autism

What does this mean? Being on a Centrelink 'Disability Support Pension' means you will be able to gain access to help getting a job with your disability, as well as concessionary transport.

How do you get onto a plan? For Centerlink DSP, you need 20 impairment points and a valid diagnosis to get support. Go HERE, for autism, skip to 'Table 7 – Brain Function', you will need two in a category to count for the points in that category.

So how would I recommend doing this? Read the symptoms; they remain the same but increase in severity across the categories. Each symptom can only be counted once. Think about how they impact you, and if you can write it down now with personal examples and frequency.

The categories without severity examples are:

(a) memory;

(b) attention and concentration;

(c) problem solving and cognitive flexibility;

(d) planning;

(e) decision making;

(f) comprehension;

(g) visuo-spatial function;

(h) behavioural regulation;

(i) social skills

(j) self-awareness.

Assign each to its corresponding level using the examples as a guide; you do not need to match the exact example. You cannot report them as more severe than your experience to make pears, but you can qualify them as points below your severity to make them into pears, then count up the points.

In other words, examples of qualifying combinations are:

Two symptoms that match the severity described in the 30-point category. OR Two symptoms that match the severity described in the 20-point category. Will both qualify on their own.

Four symptoms that match the severity described in the 10-point category will bring you the qualifying 20 points.

Eight symptoms that match the severity described in the 5-point category will be 20.

You can also mix and match as long as there are two in each category, you can get the points from it.

Two in category 10 and four in category 5 will also bring the total to 20-points.

You will need a doctor to report these severities in writing to be submitted as supporting evidence to access the DSP, I recommend doing this online as it is often quicker processed, but they will back pay you. There is more than just the points of course, you will also be asked a series of questions, including reporting the value of assets, including any money.

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Inclusive Employment Australia

A new program called Inclusive Employment Australia, will replace the Disability Employment Services (DES) program by the end of 2025. Anyone on a plan will be moved over but it should mean you don't need to be on Centerlink or NDIS to gain support in finding a job with a disability. Find your local disability job support [here].

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ASCS Q&A

I hope to create a curation of resources and support available to autistic Australians.

Q. So why the name?

A syndrome is a collection of symptoms that indicate a condition. The DSM, from which the prevalence of the name Autism Spectrum Disorder comes, has never been able to accurately describe the experiences of those living with the condition. Many issues have and will continue to be raised about the DSM and its usefulness as a diagnostic tool. The three-level system is hard to navigate and promotes the unhealthy coping strategy of heavy masking as an indicator of less need for support. Regardless, I am not aiming to rename the condition but wish to highlight a symptomatic approach to support rather than a diagnostic one.

Q. Will the resources be paid?

The goal is to never have people have to pay for support, but I am aiming to change legislation in Australia.

Q. What about the NDIS?

The original goals for the NDIS were to support people with disabilities, both devices used to support people, such as mobility aids, and to higher paid support workers. There was always a focus on creating an industry of providing disability services, which has become counterintuitive to the goal of supporting independence and daily life. There are many examples of the NDIS providing support workers when the funding would be far more impactful if used in other ways.

Q. So what will the focus be on?

For now, the goal is to provide an easy-to-navigate database for autistic life in Australia. Clear guides on what is currently available for adults who can self-manage access and support. This is mostly due to limitations in the scope of a personal project. I do wish to expand. If possible, secondary goals are to rewrite the most used definitions of Autism in Australia and create a service that better addresses the needs of the autistic community, similar to the National Diabetes Services Scheme, addressing a community's needs.