Senator HUTCHINS (9:55 PM) —I want to speak briefly this evening about the development of strategies to treat autism. As we know, autism is a serious disorder which affects one in 100 Australians. Sixty-five in 10,000 children are born with autism. Families with autistic children face pressures and difficulties which can only be imagined by most of us in the community.

As a result of extreme or diminished sensory perception, many people with autism experience a sense of frustration and anxiety that can be brought on by merely attempting to lead a normal life. I could not imagine anything worse than bringing up a child who cannot enjoy his or her life in the way that most children do, simply because of a disorder which was unforeseen and unavoidable. In my opinion, governments across Australia should do all they can to improve the quality of life of those children with autism and that of their parents.

I was recently approached by a couple whose family has been seriously affected by autism. However, through the use of a technique known as `applied behaviour analysis' they have seen a gradual but perceptible improvement in the effect of the disorder on their family. Because of the greater ability of children to modify their behaviour, this technique is most effective when applied as soon as possible to young children following their diagnosis, which normally occurs at two or three years of age. In some cases applied behavioural analysis has been so successful that some children who were again tested for autism came back with a negative diagnosis.

Applied behavioural analysis has been used for a number of decades, but it was only accepted in the mainstream body of knowledge in this area quite recently. Most organisations in Australia which represent those with autism and their families have expressed support for this method of treatment, and it is time that the Australian, state and territory governments took notice of the treatment with the aim of increasing its implementation.

The unfortunate matter is that this type of treatment is exceptionally expensive. Only in Western Australia is funding provided for applied behavioural analysis. Western Australian families can access funding through the early intervention program provided by the Disability Services Commission. The rates vary according to the age of the child because of the dependence of the method on the age of the child, and funding is provided with the objective of readying the child for entry into year 1 at school. I have been told by the Disability Services Commission—but I have not been able to confirm it—that the amount available can be up to $5,000 for each year that the child receives the funding.

Let me say that I am not making a political statement here, nor am I attempting to score any political points. This is an important issue, and I would like to see applied behavioural analysis tested by more governments in an attempt to alleviate the problems faced by families which deal with the difficulties of autism on a daily basis. I understand that the cost associated with applied behavioural analysis may be an impediment to the provision of funding, but it is a method of treatment which has been proven to be effective and which can have a significant effect on the quality of life of the individual and their family. I look forward to doing further work on this matter and speaking to the relevant stakeholders in an attempt to improve the services available to autistic children. I further look forward to personally approaching the minister, Senator Patterson, on this issue to see what assistance the federal government can provide to help these families.