Welcome to (AFSA)
Autism Family Support Association
The Autism Family Support Association Inc. (AFSA) is a community based volunteer group representing those in Victoria who have a family member/s on the Autism Spectrum.
Our Mission
Who we are
The Autism Family Support Association (AFSA) provides a collective voice for people with Severe and Profound Autism (SPA) and their parents, carers and families. AFSA actively raises our community’s concerns with state and federal government policy makers to achieve better services and outcomes for autistic people and their families. Via our website, social media and meetings, AFSA provides links to contemporary evidence-based information and resources, networks and support services. AFSA is managed by a voluntary committee.
We represent lived experience and provide a voice for our autistic family members and their loved ones. We partner with like organisations to share our experiences and information
About Us
A Little Bit
AFSA was formed by a group of parents and has been a respected and valued member of many federal and state government reviews and working groups representing the family perspective – the ‘lived experience’. This involvement has been instrumental in advancing awareness and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder by policy makers, service providers and the community.
The work of AFSA is limited only by the size and expertise of our committee. Parents, carers and family members are encouraged to join our committee and help make AFSA’s voice even louder.
AFSA Events
An information session is scheduled for 6th of September 2024 .
Current Committee
2024
Committee
Liz Websdale and Joe Stosser
june
2024
AFSA National Autism Strategy
A group from the AFSA committee provided input to the draft National Autism Strategy (NAS) in October 2023, emphasizing that those with Severe and Profound Autism need to be central to the strategy.
September
2024
AFSA Presentation Day 2024
On Friday the 6th of September from 10am till 4pm we are hosting a day of presentations from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Sunflower Hidden Disabilities Program , Monash Medical Centre Disability Liaison officer, Disability Rights Australia & Victorian Disability Worker Commission.
AFSA News
Here is a quick look at what AFSA is currently involved with – who we are meeting with, submissions we have prepared and any major announcements important to Victorian parents, carers and families.
Seeking New Committee Members
A group from the AFSA committee provided input to the draft National Autism Strategy (NAS) in October 2023, emphasizing that those with Severe and Profound Autism need to be central to the strategy. It was strongly recommended that the NAS needs to reflect a very broad and balanced representation of realities from the very different worlds that the Autism spectrum covers. This input was in line with the Senate Committee’s report on Autism (2022)2, which called for the development of a national strategy. The report identified a divergence in views, most apparent between autistic self-advocates and parents of SPA family members, who are heavily or completely reliant on parent or carer advocacy.
Seeking New Committee Members
A group from the AFSA committee provided input to the draft National Autism Strategy (NAS) in October 2023, emphasizing that those with Severe and Profound Autism need to be central to the strategy. It was strongly recommended that the NAS needs to reflect a very broad and balanced representation of realities from the very different worlds that the Autism spectrum covers. This input was in line with the Senate Committee’s report on Autism (2022)2, which called for the development of a national strategy. The report identified a divergence in views, most apparent between autistic self-advocates and parents of SPA family members, who are heavily or completely reliant on parent or carer advocacy.
Seeking New Committee Members
A group from the AFSA committee provided input to the draft National Autism Strategy (NAS) in October 2023, emphasizing that those with Severe and Profound Autism need to be central to the strategy. It was strongly recommended that the NAS needs to reflect a very broad and balanced representation of realities from the very different worlds that the Autism spectrum covers. This input was in line with the Senate Committee’s report on Autism (2022)2, which called for the development of a national strategy. The report identified a divergence in views, most apparent between autistic self-advocates and parents of SPA family members, who are heavily or completely reliant on parent or carer advocacy.
