In this segment on Mornings on Channel 9, Nicole Rogerson from Autism Awareness  and I discuss the benefits of early intervention programs for children with autism, and the social, emotional and financial costs of having limited access to treatment programs.

Early intervention in the treatment of autism is proven to provide better outcomes for children, particularly if started by the age of two or three.  Without early treatment, children diagnosed with autism may be deprived of the opportunity to enter their teenage years without the social and verbal progess that may have been possible.

The Australian Government continues to fund an amount of $6,000 per year for two years if your child is diagnosed by an qualified Autism Advisor by age six but this is capped at $12,000. Wealthier parents are therefore better able to access services that may improve their child’s quality of life. Nicole Rogerson explains autism costs Australia 10 billion dollars per year. 

Watch the segment on Mornings on Channel 9 and please let us know your thoughts

Children with Autism

You may also be interested in this interview with Dr Dissanayake from La Trobe University who is an expert in the area of early intervention and research to assist children with an autism diagnosis.