Australia’s first draft national guideline for autism diagnosis has today been released for public consultation. The draft guideline is a result of comprehensive research and a 12-month consultation process conducted by Autism CRC and the National Disability Insurance Agency in partnership with The Kids Research Institute Australia.
The draft guideline aims to create greater consistency in diagnostic practices across the country to ensure autistic individuals and their families can be assured of quality and knowledgeable advice. The guideline also emphasises the importance of listening to individuals and their families about the impact of the behaviours on family life.
Professor Andrew Whitehouse – who is the Angela Wright Bennett Professor of Autism Research at The Kids Research Institute Australia, Chief Research Officer at Autism CRC and Professor of Autism Research at The University of Western Australia – says the guideline has been developed through a comprehensive consultation process that engaged many people on the spectrum as well as family members, clinicians, service providers and policy makers across Australia.
“The community has been requesting a national and consistent guideline for autism diagnosis for many years. The partnership between the Autism CRC and the NDIA has enabled the draft guideline to be developed through a comprehensive research process and in close consultation with the clinical and autistic community,” he said.
“By developing this draft national guideline, we hope to make the diagnostic process more consistent and efficient across Australia, so that everyone can receive an informed diagnosis regardless of age and location, and make informed decisions about next steps.”
Consultation on the draft guideline is now open and members of the community are invited to provide feedback by 19 October 2017 via the Autism CRC website.
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