Under a suite of reforms intended to target a potential cost blowout in the National Disability Insurance Scheme, a new set of guidelines for autism cases has been unveiled.

The reforms seek a streamlined nationwide approach to diagnosing autism, a condition which impacts about 164,000 Australians. That figure has spiked by almost 80% in less than a decade.

Andrew Whitehouse, Chief Research Officer at Autism CRC says the guidelines represent a “truly revolution shift” for those on the spectrum.

“What we really do need is a nationally consistent standard,” he tells Luke Grant.

“At the moment, it’s quite possible if someone moves interstate that they actually have to go through a re-diagnosis process, which is ludicrous. Even within the same state, it’s different between systems.”

“This guideline seeks to fix that.”

The guideline also advises access to support should not be given or withheld on the basis of a diagnosis. The level of need the individual exhibits should constitute the ultimate determinate.

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