What's New
16 February 2013 - The AABASD welcomes the announcement by the Australian Government of $31 million in funding for a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for autism.
Read the statement (139kb)
December 2012 - The interface between autism spectrum disorders and mental health: the ways forward
Read the report (798kb)
2012 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Download the Chairperson's Report for 2012 (360kb)
November 2012
The Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders appointed Penny Beeston as Chairperson at its recent meeting. Penny was previously the Deputy Chairperson. Jon Martin, former Chairperson, is now a Director and Murray Dawson-Smith has been appointed Deputy Chairperson. Other roles are detailed further down this page.
August 2012
The Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders has issued a Position Paper relating to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Assessment Processes.
Open Letter to all members of the Australian Autism Spectrum Community, Policy and Decision Makers (653kb)
Read the Position Paper at Submissions and Media
16 August 2012
Media release - Australia's first Future Leaders program for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Read the media release at Submissions and Media
February 2012
Communiqué (205kb)
29 November 2011
This National Call to Action is the result of a collaborative approach between all autism associations in all States and Territories and has identified a number of critical imperatives for the Autism Spectrum community. We appeal to policy makers in the Australian community to ensure effective resourcing and structuring of future service delivery.
National Call to Action (122kb)
2011 Annual General Meeting
2011 Chairpersons' Report (136kb)
September 2011 Meeting
Communiqué (130 kb)
29 July 2011
The Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders has issued a statement about the the diagnosis and assessment of autism spectrum disorders in Australia.
Position Paper (118kb)
27 July 2011
The Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders has issued a statement about the campaign for change to disability support through a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Letter to all members of the Australian Autism Spectrum Disorder community (188kb)
20 May 2011
Following discussions at a National Autism Summit in April, there has been significant progress towards the development of a more inclusive peak body.
Letter to Summit attendees regarding progress on development of a new National Peak Body (87kb)
May 2011 Meeting
Communiqué (130 kb)
April 2011
Response to the Productivity Commission's draft report into the establishment of an improved system for disability care and support.
Submission (128kb)
30 March 2011
This National Call to Action is the result of a collaborative approach between all autism associations in all States and Territories and has identified a number of critical imperatives for the Autism Spectrum community. We appeal to policy makers in the Australian community to ensure effective resourcing and structuring of future service delivery.
National Call to Action (205kb)
2010 Annual General Meeting
2010 Chairpersons' Report (143kb)
2009-10 Financial Report (546kb)
Other Board documents
Updated February 2012 - 2010 Education Position Paper (183kb)
2008 - Position Paper on Early Intervention Services (122kb)
3 October 2007: National Call to Action
The Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders welcomed announcements by both the Federal Government and the Opposition. The Advisory Board released a National Call to Action which clearly outlines the issues facing people with an autism spectrum disorder, their families and the consequent impact on the community at large.
National Call to Action (98kb)
The Prevalence of Autism in Australia: Can it be established from existing data?
Visit the Research page to view the prevalence report and media release from March 2007.
What we do
The Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders is the national peak body representing people who have an autism spectrum disorder, their families, carers and helpers. Through its members, the Advisory Board represents over 12,000 people who live with an autism spectrum disorder and who are members of, or who obtain services from, the Advisory Board’s member organisations. There are many more people who have an autism spectrum disorder (often accompanying other conditions) but whose needs are met either privately or through other disability programs.
The focus of the Advisory Board is working with governments to develop appropriate policies for people who have an autism spectrum condition, their families and carers, disseminating information about ASDs and working with the Australian ASD community to build skills.
Who we are
Chairperson
Penny Beeston (Autism Queensland)
Deputy Chairperson
Murray Dawson-Smith (Autism Victoria trading as Amaze)
Treasurer and Secretary
Adrian Ford (Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect))
Directors
Andrea Brumby (Autism Tasmania Inc)
Jon Martin (Autism SA)
Joan McKenna Kerr (Autism Association of WA)
Prof Jacqui Roberts (Board-appointed Director)
Prof Katrina Williams (Board-appointed Director)
