Draft National Autism Strategy – Survey Step 1 of 11 9% CAPTCHAConsent to participate in this survey. By completing this survey, you agree that: you have read the information about this survey on the previous pages, your participation is voluntary, you are at least 14 years of age. Q. Do you consent to participating in this survey?(Required) Yes No Your interest in the Strategy Before we get started, can you please tell us: Q. Which of the following best describe you?(Required)(Please select all that apply.) I am an autistic person / a person with autism I am a family member of an autistic person or people I am an informal carer of an autistic person I am looking into whether I might be autistic I am looking into whether someone in my care might be autistic I work with an autistic person or people I am a disability support worker I work as a health, education or other professional I work for an autism or disability organisation I work in federal, state/territory or local government Other (please specify) Prefer not to say Other Q. Do you represent a particular organisation or sector within the autism community? If yes, please list them below.Q. How much of the draft National Autism Strategy document have you read?(Select one option.) None of it Some of it All of it Unsure Prefer not to say Section 1: Strategy Overview In this section, we now want to know how ‘appropriate’ you think the Vision and Goal are for the Strategy. When we say ‘appropriate’, we mean that it helps the Strategy do what it’s supposed to and doesn’t add anything that shouldn’t be in the Strategy. Vision The draft Vision for the National Autism Strategy is “…for a safe, inclusive society where all Autistic people are empowered to fully participate in all aspects of life, in line with international human rights.”Q. How appropriate do you think this Vision is for the Strategy?(Select one option.) Not at all appropriate Slightly appropriate Moderately appropriate Very appropriate Completely appropriate Unsure Q. Do you have any ways to improve the Vision? If yes, please list them.Goal The draft goal of the National Autism Strategy is “…to improve life outcomes for all Autistic people.”Q. How appropriate do you think this Goal is for the Strategy?(Select one option.) Not at all appropriate Slightly appropriate Moderately appropriate Very appropriate Completely appropriate Unsure Q. Do you have any ways to improve the Goal? If yes, please list them. Guiding Principles This section asks for your feedback about the Guiding Principles in the draft Strategy. The Guiding Principles set out how the Strategy will be put into practice. The Guiding Principles are listed below. You will be asked to rate how ‘important’ each principle is for the Strategy. When we say ‘important’, we mean how much the Strategy should follow the Principle. Principle: In Partnership – Nothing about us, without us This Strategy will be co-designed, co-produced, co-reviewed and co-delivered with Autistic people, and their families and carers and support networks.Q. How important is this Principle to guide the Strategy?(Select one option.) Not at all important Slightly important Moderately important Very important Extremely important Unsure Principle: Accessible based on Universal Design The development and implementation of this Strategy will be co-led by Autistic people and the Australian Government. It will be accessible, and based on Universal Design principles. Q. How important is this Principle to guide the Strategy?(Select one option.) Not at all important Slightly important Moderately important Very important Extremely important Unsure Principle: Self Determination and Autonomy This Strategy will foster freedom of choice, control and support for Autistic people to make their own individual decisions about all aspects of life. Q. How important is this Principle to guide the Strategy?(Select one option.) Not at all important Slightly important Moderately important Very important Extremely important Unsure Principle: Aligned and Accountable Outcomes This Strategy and actions will align with other key government strategies. This Strategy will be measurable, accountable and evidence-based.Q. How important is this Principle to guide the Strategy?(Select one option.) Not at all important Slightly important Moderately important Very important Extremely important Unsure Principle: Acceptance and Inclusivity This Strategy will reflect that every Autistic person has unique strengths, abilities and attributes. This Strategy will seek to foster community understanding and acceptance of all Autistic people for who they are, and for their many contributions to Australia. Q. How important is this Principle to guide the Strategy?(Select one option.) Not at all important Slightly important Moderately important Very important Extremely important Unsure Principle: Rights This Strategy will uphold the rights of all Autistic people to be respected and safe from all forms of discrimination, vilification, violence, and abuse everywhere in their lives. Q. How important is this Principle to guide the Strategy?(Select one option.) Not at all important Slightly important Moderately important Very important Extremely important Unsure Principle: Individualised and Holistic This Strategy recognises that there are different aspects of a person’s identity that can overlap and shape their diverse needs, abilities and experiences, and that other factors such as geography, socio-economic status, where they live, income, education, and the extent of support networks can also have an impact. This Strategy promotes an individualised and neurodiversity-affirming, holistic person and family-centred approach to meeting these needs and diverse communities across the whole life.Q. How important is this Principle to guide the Strategy?(Select one option.) Not at all important Slightly important Moderately important Very important Extremely important Unsure Guiding Principles (continued) We now want to know how ‘appropriate’ you think the Principles are overall. When we say ‘appropriate’, we mean that it helps the Strategy do what it’s supposed to and doesn’t add anything that shouldn’t be in the Strategy.Q. Overall, how appropriate are the Guiding Principles in the draft Strategy?(Select one option.) Not at all appropriate Slightly appropriate Moderately appropriate Very appropriate Completely appropriate Unsure Q. Do you have any ways to improve the Guiding Principles? If yes, please list them. For example, you may like to tell us if you think the wording is clear or if there are any principles missing. Section 2: Commitments The draft National Autism Strategy is focussed on four key outcome areas: social inclusion economic inclusion diagnosis, services and support, and health and mental health (the National Roadmap). The draft National Autism Strategy includes Commitments for three of these outcome areas. The specific actions to achieve Commitments will be detailed in separate Action Plans. Please note: Commitments for the health and mental health outcome are not included. The Australian Government has committed to implementing actions to address health and mental health of Autistic people through a national roadmap. Consultation on this roadmap is underway through the Department of Health and Aged Care. You can find out more about the Roadmap on the Department of Health and Aged Care website. In this section, we want your feedback on the Commitments. These are commitments that the government will make to help improve life outcomes for Autistic Australians. Social Inclusion This section asks you about specific Commitments for the Social Inclusion key outcome area. Q. How much of a priority are each of the following Commitments for Social Inclusion? (Select one option for each item.)1a. Greater public education and awareness including a better understanding of autism within workplaces, with a focus on health, education and the criminal justice system. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 1b. Increasing visibility and representation of Autistic people in the media, sports and the arts. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 1c. Increasing accessible sensory-friendly public and online spaces. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 1d. Increasing the capability of advocates and advocacy organisations to challenge and reduce stigma of autism. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 2. Increase opportunities for social connections and peer support. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 3. Improve Australian Government service delivery, communication and information to meet the needs of Autistic people. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 4. Ensure consideration of the needs of Autistic people in future amendments to or reviews of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and associated disability standards. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 5. Improve the safety and welfare of Autistic people through the reduction of all forms of discrimination, violence, abuse, bullying, vilification and exploitation. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure Q. Do you have any other feedback about the Commitments for Social Inclusion? If so, please write your feedback here. Economic Inclusion This section asks you about specific Commitments for the Economic Inclusion key outcome area.6. Increase meaningful employment opportunities (including business ownership, self-employment, entrepreneurship and social enterprise) for Autistic Australians. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 7. Support employers to hire and retain Autistic employees through improving the accessibility of recruitment processes and fostering workplace environments that are safe and inclusive for all Autistic people. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 8. Improve the supports and services available to Autistic people to ensure they have choice and control over their education and careers. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 9. Increase representation of Autistic people in senior and board positions to promote people as visible role models. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 10. Improve inclusive practices and the quality and accessibility of advocacy resources for Autistic students across all education settings, and their families, carers and support networks. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 11. Build on Commitment 5 Improve the safety and welfare of Autistic people through the reduction of all forms of discrimination, violence, abuse, bullying, vilification and exploitation to specifically focus on Autistic students in all levels of education. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure Q. Do you have any other feedback about the Commitments for Economic Inclusion? If so, please write your feedback here. Diagnosis, Supports and Services This section asks you about specific Commitments for the Diagnosis, Supports and Services key outcome area. Q. How much of a priority are each of the following Commitments for Diagnosis, Supports and Services? (Select one option for each item.) 12. Consider the use and consistency of current identification screening, outcome and diagnostic tools. Work with relevant professional bodies to develop a set of standardised co-designed training/professional development and resource materials to support professionals involved in the identification, assessment and diagnosis of autism to improve the experience, and quality of this process for Autistic people and their families and carers. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 13. Develop a set of best practice resources to support Autistic people and their families, carers and support networks through the identification, assessment and diagnosis process. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 14. Explore ways to improve access to primary care, including through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), to: a. Improve quality health and mental health services for Autistic people, with a focus on continuity of care , and b. Explore ways to make Autism diagnosis and assessment processes more timely and accessible. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 15. Consider early screening and identification arrangements, and improved access to health professionals in conjunction with proposed reforms under the NDIS Review.Consideration is to be given to how this commitment links with joint work being undertaken by the Australian and state and territory governments as part of Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31 and in response to the Independent Review of the NDIS. Details on work to meet this commitment will be developed in Action Plan/s. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 16. Improve access to quality, timely, neurodiversity-affirming and equitable supports and services for Autistic people, including for people living in rural, regional and remote areas. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 17. Encourage greater representation of people with lived experience in delivering supports and services to Autistic people. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 18. Develop a set of best practice training and resource materials for people providing service and supports to Autistic people. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 19. Explore the feasibility of a decision-making tool to empower Autistic people to make informed decisions about all areas of their life. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure 20. Work with state and territories to improve service integration between the NDIS, foundational supports and mainstream services. Not at all a priority Low priority Medium priority High priority Very high priority Unsure Q. Do you have any other feedback about the Commitments for Diagnosis, Supports and Services? If so, please write your feedback here. Governance, Research and Reporting This section asks you for your feedback on the Commitments for Governance, Research and Reporting. These commitments are numbers 21 – 24 in the Draft Strategy. They are: Governance Develop a governance framework to support: strong accountability mechanisms co-leadership and active involvement of Autistic people, as well as parents, carers and professionals within the Autism sector whole-of-government, cross-sectoral and coordinated approaches to implementation. Research Explore how autism research can best be fostered and applied to policy and service delivery and underpinned by the Strategy’s Guiding Principles. Evidence Develop a National Autism Strategy Evidence Framework, including a Theory of Change, Program Logic, Outcomes Framework, and Evaluation Framework. Evaluation and Reporting Develop a robust evaluation plan and reporting mechanism, co-led by Autistic people and the autism community, for the National Autism Strategy Q. Do you have any feedback about these Commitments? If so, please write your feedback here? Section 3: Strategy Gaps This section asks about what might be missing or other opinions you might have about the draft National Autism Strategy.Q. Overall, how satisfied are you that the draft Strategy addresses the needs and aspirations of Autistic people? Not at all satisfied Slightly satisfied Moderately satisfied Very satisfied Extremely satisfied Unsure Q. Is there anything you think is missing from the draft National Autism Strategy? If yes, please let us know about it below.Q. Is there anything else you want to say about how the Draft National Autism Strategy could be improved? If yes, please let us know about it below. Section 4: About You So that we can better understand the different perspectives we are gaining through this survey, we have a few final questions about you.Q. What state or territory do you live in?(Select one option.) Australian Capital Territory New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia I do not live in Australia Q. Where do you live?(Select one option.) In a capital city or a large city In a regional, rural or remote area Prefer not to say Q. What is your gender?(Select one option.) Male Female Other / I’d prefer to describe myself (please specify) Prefer not to say Other Q. How old are you?(Select one option.) Under 18 years 18-24 years 25-34 years 35-44 years 45-54 years 55-64 years 65-74 years 75 years or older Prefer not to say Q. Do you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?(Select one option.) Yes No Prefer not to say Q. Do you identify as LGBTIQA+?(Select one option.) Yes No Prefer not to say Q. Do you identify as having a disability other than Autism?(Select one option.) Yes No Prefer not to say Q. Which of the following apply to you?Please select all that apply. Intellectual disability Physical disability Deaf or hard of hearing Blind or low vision Psychosocial disability or mental health condition Neurological condition (other than autism) (e.g. Tourette’s, epilepsy, ADHD) Other learning disability (e.g. dyslexia) Other sensory disability Other (please specify) Prefer not to say Not applicable Other Q. Do you often use a language other than English at home?(Select one option.) Yes No Prefer not to say Q. What other language/s do you speak at home?Please select all that apply. Arabic Cantonese/Mandarin Greek Hindi Italian Punjabi Spanish Tagalog Vietnamese Other (please specify) Prefer not to say Not applicable Other Q. Can we include quotes from your responses in the report summarising the findings from this survey? If you say yes, we will make sure you cannot be identified (that nobody can tell who you are from what is written).(Required) Yes No EmailThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.