Disability Funding for Parents - Australia

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PARENTS with autistic children will be able to obtain disability support after a decision to change the law recognised the condition as a neurological disorder.

PARENTS with autistic children will be able to obtain disability support after a decision to change the law recognised the condition as a neurological disorder.

The Victorian Government will today announce $2.75 million to support the families of about 800 children with autism spectrum disorders who are likely to apply for disability funding.

The condition can affect communication, language and social skills and be a huge burden on families.

Autism groups have battled hard to have it acknowledged as a neurological disorder so it could be classified as a disability.

Many carers are unable to hold down full-time jobs in order to care for their autistic children. Yesterday, experts said the decision was long overdue and would ease the burden on parents coping with immense stress.

Children had to have an IQ of below 70 to qualify as disabled. It meant many children with autism were excluded because they had normal intelligence, despite suffering other problems.

Professor Margot Prior, patron of Autism Victoria and a leading expert on the condition, said life for families of autistic children was tough.