How to best support those with autism, especially children, was a topic that garnered attention in 2025 and one that will continue to be in the spotlight in 2026.
This year, WA began working on how it would implement recommendations from the inaugural National Autism Strategy which called for access to clinical services and supports to be improved.
At the same time, demand to see paediatricians for autism assessments in WA continued to far outstrip the supply of clinicians.
A new approach to support children on the spectrum across Australia was announced and as the year came to a close, two conferences focused on autism were held in the Perth.
RELATED: The new approaches needed to autism care in WA
An announcement was made by the federal government earlier this year that many children with autism will be no longer be supported through the National Disability Insurance Scheme starting.
Instead, they would be supported under a new program called Thriving Kids, in which children under eight years of age judged as having mild to moderate support needs would be directed to early intervention and foundational support through mainstream and community services in an effort to reduce reliance on the NDIS.
However, questions remain on how the program will be implemented and warnings from doctors to ensure no child gets left behind.
RELATED: Detail needed on program replacing NDIS autism support
The importance of early intervention was a topic discussed at the Asia Pacific Autism Conference 2025, which saw experts from around the world descend on Perth in November to discuss innovative practices, and impactful approaches to autism.
More than 200 presenters from more than 30 countries also heard about the latest research on autism, including growing evidence that a childhood diagnosis may not always be lifelong.
Keynote speaker Professor David Amaral from the University of California told the conference that while there was still plenty to learn, our understanding of autism was growing every year.
“There is now convincing evidence that autism begins prenatally – if you are autistic, you were almost certainly born with autism,” he said.
“Our research also suggests about 10% of children who are diagnosed with autism at age three can improve significantly by the age of 11 to where they no longer meet autism diagnostic criteria.”
Dr Amaral explained that this may be the result of the early intensive intervention.
“However, even where these children no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for autism, they can continue to experience other mental health difficulties that require ongoing support.
“The result is more evident in girls, which suggests there are even more secrets to unlock as to how autism impacts girls and boys differently.”
WA also hosted the first national conference on Pathological Demand Avoidance, a neurotype of autism, recognised in the federal government’s first national autism strategy, released at the beginning of 2025.
Those with PDA, sometimes referred to as ‘pervasive drive for autonomy’ experience an anxiety driven need to avoid things they perceive as demands, which can make aspects of everyday life challenging.
The state’s chief psychologist Nathan Gibson told the conference that diagnostic categories were still a work in progress.
Want more news, clinicals, features and guest columns delivered straight to you? Subscribe for free to WA’s only independent magazine for medical practitioners.
Want to submit an article? Email editor@mforum.com.au