SALHN Autism Strategic Action Plan 2026 - 2029

Introduction

SALHN is proud to share our Autism Strategic Action Plan 2026-2029 (the Plan). Aligned with the State Autism Strategy, our Plan promotes inclusion of Autistic people, their families and carers to build ‘a South Australia where no one is left behind.

The plan reflects SALHN’s commitment to supporting Autistic and Neurodivergent people, promoting a culture of accessibility and ensuring inclusive environments throughout our organisation and services. We are working to improve access to healthcare for people with diverse needs and enhancing disability awareness amongst staff, volunteers, consumers and the wider southern community.

The plan outlines our priorities, actions, associated timeframes and success measures and responsible leaders for the next four years. We have engaged our community, consumers and staff in preparing the plan, and commit to ongoing consultation and co-design as we progress and implement our actions. By working together, we improve the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve.

Feedback throughout the consultation process highlighted that many Autistic people prefer identity-first language. Therefore, for the purposes of this plan, we use identity-first language (i.e. Autistic person) rather than person-first language (i.e. person living with autism).

The State Autism Strategy contains a wide range of actions because it is a whole‑of‑government, life‑course strategy involving many portfolios. Not all actions apply to LHNs, and many are led by central agencies or relate to policy, community, education, or disability systems. LHNs are accountable only for actions that align with their role in delivering health services.

Kerrie Mahon - Chief Executive Officer

Helen Tedesco - Chief Strategy Officer

Kirsty McDowall - Executive Director, Allied Health and Intermediate Care

Vision

• Striving for exceptional care

Purpose

• Working together to improve health and wellbeing for the communities we serve

Values

• Empathy - Compassion, communication and connection is central to how we care
• Trust - We do what we say, and deliver on our commitments
• Inclusion - We are part of the communities we serve and we work with others to do our best

SALHN Autism Strategic Action Plan

Focus Area 1 : Pathways to diagnosis

Objective: We want to create a clear and equitable approach to diagnosis in South Australia.

Commitments within Focus Area 1:

1. Create clearer and more consistent pathways to diagnosis for Autistic people of all ages.
2. Improve the availability and access of diagnosis, especially in regional and/or remote areas.
3. Consider ways to reduce the occurrence of undiagnosed autism amongst girls and women and within the Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
4. Improve the post-diagnostic referral process and accessibility of accurate information and resources.

Commitment 1: Create clearer and more consistent pathways to diagnosis for Autistic people of all ages.

Target: Raise public awareness regarding diagnostic pathways and ensure all information and resources are accessible and easy to navigate.

Action 1

• Develop and promote information, where appropriate, on autism to assist people and their families to access services.
• Develop promote and educate consumers, families and clinicians about accessible, accurate information outlining autism diagnostic pathways, supports and post-diagnostic resources.

Timeframe: 2028

Responsibility: ED AH&ICS, CSO

Data source: Event Attendance, Website Analytics

Measures

• The number of autism-related information sources* developed, promoted and/or delivered to assist people and families to access autism-related services such as assessment, diagnosis, counselling, and parent supports.
  * Sources include Resources, online content, brochures, survey material.

Focus Area 3 : Thriving in the workplace

Objective: We want a diverse, inclusive and welcoming South Australian workforce where the strengths and skills of Autistic people flourish.

Commitments within Focus Area 3:

1. Improve knowledge, understanding and awareness of autism across the workforce.
2. Create an accessible, inclusive and welcoming public sector where Autistic people can thrive.
3. Increase opportunities for Autistic people to gain meaningful and lasting employment.
4. Consider alternative employment initiatives when transitioning from education to employment.

Commitment 1: Improve knowledge, understanding and awareness of autism across the workforce.

Target: Ensure public sector employees undertake Autism Awareness and Understanding training.

Action 2

• Ensure in-person and online Autism Awareness and Understanding training is completed across public sector workforce.

Timeframe: 2028

Responsibility: CPO

Data source: iLearn, Training Programs, Mandatory Training schedule

Measures

• The number of staff who undertook Autism Awareness and Understanding Training:
  • online
  • in-person

Target: Increase awareness of autism across the public sector workforce and the strengths and benefits of employing Autistic people.

Action 3

• Outline the initiatives completed to promote autism inclusion in the workplace.
• Consider workplace practices that support safe disclosure, reasonable adjustments and participation.

Timeframe: 2028-2029

Responsibility: CPO, ED AH&ICS, EDMS, EDNM

Data Source: Website Analytics, Survey

Measures

• The number of initiatives completed to promote autism inclusion in the workplace.
  *Initiatives include events, days of significance, internal staff communications/newsletters, social media

Action 4

• Engage Autistic employees and employees with disability to provide advice and inform inclusion activities, including to assist in promoting days of significance.

Timeframe: 2028-2029

Responsibility: ED AH&ICS

Data source: Committee Papers, Surveys, Lived Experience Data

Measures

• The number and proportion of lived experience staff engaged to inform inclusion activities.

Commitment 2: Create an accessible, inclusive and welcoming public sector where Autistic people can thrive.

Target: Embed autism inclusion into workplace policies and practices.

Action 5

• Review recruitment policies and processes to ensure they support reasonable adjustments and are responsive to the alternative ways Autistic employees can engage throughout the recruitment and training processes.

Timeframe: 2028-2029

Responsibility: CPO

Data source: HR Platforms, Role Descriptions

Measures

• The number and proportion of recruitment and training policies and processes that are reviewed to ensure they support Autistic and/or neurodivergent staff.

Action 6

• Identify appropriate mechanisms, including clear confidentiality, to ensure Autistic employees feel safe, supported and confident to disclose that they are Autistic at the commencement of employment and through the employment lifecycle.

Timeframe: 2028-2029

Responsibility: CPO

Data source: Surveys, PRD, HR Data Source

Measures

• The number of support mechanisms available to ensure Autistic and/or neurodivergent staff can disclose confidentially.
  *Support mechanisms include secure IT systems, privacy principles
  

Action 7

• Engage Autistic employees and employees with disability to provide advice and inform inclusion activities, including to assist in promoting days of significance.

Timeframe: 2028-2029

Responsibility: CPO

Data source: HR Data Sources

Measures

• The number and proportion of lived experience staff engaged to inform inclusion activities.

Commitment 3: Increase opportunities for Autistic people to gain meaningful and lasting employment.

Target: Develop programs and resources that support Autistic people transition into meaningful employment in the public sector.

Action 8

• Deliver programs that target diversity and inclusion for Autistic people to gain practical workplace experience while undertaking higher education to support them into employment long-term.

Timeframe: 2028-2029

Responsibility: CPO

Data source: Work Experience Data

Measures

• The number of programs that target diversity and inclusion for Autistic and/or neurodivergent people to gain practical workplace experience while undertaking higher education.

Action 9

• Review and implement opportunities for supported transition into employment programs for Autistic people transitioning into employment in the public sector to receive tailored supports, ensuring that Autistic people are supported initially and ongoing.

Timeframe: 2028-2029

Responsibility: EDMS

Data source: HR Data Sources

Measures

• The number of employment transition programs that support Autistic and/or neurodivergent people are reviewed, and;
• The number of Autistic and/or neurodivergent people those programs accessed.

Target: Provide alternative workplace training and volunteer options that support Autistic people entering the public sector workforce.

Action 10

• Review and implement alternative and accessible workplace training options to support Autistic employees, including in a range of accessible formats and learning styles.

Timeframe: 2028-2029

Responsibility: CPO, ED N&M, AH AH&ICS, EDMS

Data source: Training Data

Measures

• The number of alternative and accessible workplace training options available to support Autistic and/or neurodivergent staff.

Action 11

• Identify volunteering opportunities for Autistic people across all state government agencies.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: CSO

Data source: Volunteer Program Data

Measures

• The number of volunteering opportunities for Autistic people.
  

Action 12

• Review existing peer support or mentoring programs to ensure they are inclusive of Autistic employees.

Timeframe: 2028

Responsibility: ED N&M, AH AH&ICS, EDMS

Data source: HR Data Source

Measures

• The total number of peer support and/or mentoring programs and, of those, the proportion reviewed to ensure they are inclusive of Autistic staff.
  

Commitment 4: Consider alternative employment initiatives when transitioning from education to employment.

Target: Develop programs or supported pathways for Autistic students transitioning from education settings to employment across the public sector.

Action 13

• Review existing graduate programs to expand pathways for Autistic graduates from education settings to employment.

Timeframe: 2028

Responsibility: ED N&M, AH AH&ICS

Data source: Graduate Program Data, Trainee Program Data

Measures

• The number of expanded pathways for Autistic graduates engaging in graduate programs.

Focus Area 4: Access to supports and services

Objective: We want a clearer, more consistent and accessible service system where Autistic people and their families and carers can access the support they need, when they need it.

Commitments within Focus Area 4

1. Develop a centralised state information system to support access and navigation of available supports and services.
2. Improve the knowledge and understanding of autism amongst professional staff.
3. Work with organisations to ensure evidence and research on autism can be effectively and efficiently translated into practice.
4. Ensure neurodiversity-affirming and culturally appropriate services and supports are available.
   

Commitment 1: Develop a centralised state information system to support access and navigation of available supports and services.

Target: Ensure resources and information about supports and services are updated, easily accessible and autism inclusive.

Action 14

• Deliver or review initiatives, platforms and systems to connect Autistic people with information in various accessible formats across Government of South Australia supports and services.

Timeframe: 2028

Responsibility: CSO, ED AH&ICS, COO

Data source: Consumer Feedback, Audits, Safety & Incident Data

Measures

• The number of initiatives, platforms and systems made to connect Autistic people with information in various accessible formats.

Commitment 3: Work with organisations to ensure evidence and research on autism can be effectively and efficiently translated into practice.

Target: Collaborate with subject matter experts when developing and implementing supports and services for Autistic people.

Action 15

• Collaborate with autism-specific organisations, where relevant, when developing and implementing policies, supports and services for Autistic people.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: ED ICCP, ED AH&ICS, CSO

Data source: PPGP

Target: Collaborate with the Autistic and autism community throughout the planning, development and implementation phases to ensure services are neurodiversity-affirming and are effectively meeting the needs of Autistic people.

Action 16

• Consult with reference groups and lived experience groups, where relevant, on autism-related matters to provide insights and guidance on identifying and addressing barriers to accessing services provided by the Government of South Australia.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: ED AH&ICS, CSO

Data source: Surveys, Lived Experience Data

Measures

• The number of reference and/or lived experience groups engaged to identify and address barriers to accessing services on autism-related matters.

Commitment 4: Ensure neurodiversity-affirming and culturally appropriate services and supports are available.

Target: Improve existing services to ensure they are streamlined, effective and efficient to meet the individual needs of Autistic people.

Action 17

• Review and update, where relevant, the customer service areas and experiences to ensure Autistic people feel supported when accessing services.

Timeframe: 2028

Responsibility: CSO

Data source: Consumer Feedback Surveys

Measures

• The number of customer service areas reviewed and updated to ensure Autistic and/or neurodivergent people are supported when accessing services.

Target: Ensure a wide range of neurodiversity-affirming and culturally appropriate services and supports are available, including to Autistic people who do not yet have an autism diagnosis.

Action 18

• In the development of new strategies and initiatives, the State Autism Strategy and/or Autism Charter will be linked and referenced, where appropriate.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: CSO

Data source: Strategies and Plans

Measures

• The number of references made to the State Autism Strategy and/or the Autism Inclusion Charter in new strategies and initiatives.

Target: Target improve data capturing strategies of diverse cohorts of people accessing state government services and supports.

Action 19

• When consulting to inform the development of new strategies and initiatives, personal identifying data will be collected where appropriate, to capture and consider the specific perspectives of the Autistic community.

Timeframe: 2028

Responsibility: CSO

Data source: Stakeholder Engagement Data

Measures

• Are you capturing personal identifying data including Autistic and/or neurodivergent people during consultation on the development of new strategic and initiatives? Y/N
  

Focus Area 5: Participation in the community

Objective: We want a truly inclusive South Australia where Autistic people can meaningfully participate in the community without restriction.  

Commitments within Focus Area 5:

1. Consider how the built environment may impact Autistic people and identify opportunities for improvement across current and future infrastructure projects.
2. Identify ways to improve accessible transport options and the accessibility of public spaces and venues, including signage and wayfinding tools.
3. Partner with organisations, sporting clubs, local councils and community services to support inclusive initiatives for Autistic people of all ages.

Commitment 3: Partner with organisations, sporting clubs, local councils and community services to support inclusive initiatives for Autistic people of all ages.

Target: Collaborate with the Autistic and autism community to ensure activities and services are autism inclusive.

Action 20

• Consult with the Autistic and autism community, where appropriate, when planning and organising events to ensure they are autism inclusive, such as the inclusion of breakout or sensory spaces.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: CSO

Data source: Event Planning Data

Measures

• The number and proportion of lived experience people engaged to inform planning and organising of events.

Focus Area 6: Access to health and mental health services

Objective: We want to address the barriers Autistic people and their families continue to face in accessing health and mental health services.

Commitments within Focus Area 6:

1. Improve the knowledge, understanding and acceptance of autism amongst health practitioners, medical staff and first responders.
2. Improve the experiences of Autistic people of all ages navigating and engaging in health and mental health services.
3. Improve the accessibility of health and mental health services, especially in regional and remote communities.

Commitment 1: Improve the knowledge, understanding and acceptance of autism amongst health practitioners, medical staff and first responders.

Target: Provide autism awareness and understanding to healthcare professionals and first responders to effectively support Autistic people during emergency services.

Action 21

• Deliver Autism Awareness and Understanding training to healthcare professionals.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: ED N&M, ED AH&ICS, EDMS, EDAH

Data source: iLearn Training Program

Measures

• The number of staff and volunteers participating in disability awareness training.

Commitment 2: Improve the experiences of Autistic people of all ages navigating and engaging in health and mental health services.

Target: Consult with Autistic people and subject matter experts when developing and reviewing health and mental health supports, services and facilities.

Action 22

• Collaborate with Autistic people and people with lived experience of autism, where relevant, as consumer representatives in the planning, design, measurement, evaluation and improvement of health systems and services.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: ED AH&ICS, CSO, ED IS&DH

Data source: Disability Stakeholder Reference Group, Lived Experience Data

Measures

• The number of consultation initiatives with Autistic people to improve health and mental health supports, services and facilities.

Action 23

• Consult with autistic people and autism lived experience where relevant, to inform planning, development and implementation of services and address barriers to accessing SALHN supports.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: ED AH&ICS, CSO, ED IS&DH

Data source: Disability Stakeholder Reference Group, Lived Experience Data

Measures

• The number of consultation initiatives with Autistic people to improve health and mental health supports, services and facilities.

Action 24

• Co-design, where relevant, with Autistic people and people with lived experience of autism, in the development and relocation of facilities, signage and wayfinding across hospital sites and services to ensure environments are inclusive for Autistic people.

Timeframe: 2027

Responsibility: ED AH&ICS, CSO, ED IS&DH

Data sources: Disability Stakeholder Reference Group

Measures

• The number of consultation initiatives with Autistic people to improve signage, wayfinding and infrastructure.

Target: Ensure health and mental health services provide services and supports that are tailored to the individual.

Action 25

• Ensure resources and supports are provided to carers involved in the care planning of an Autistic person.

Timeframe: 2028

Responsibility: CSO

Data source: Care Plans, Audits

Measures

• The number of dedicated supports established to support carers and families.

Acknowledgments 

We thank our staff, consumers, community groups, providers and key stakeholders for their contributions to the development and ongoing implementation of the Autism Strategic Action Plan.

Glossary and Definitions

Ableism - The belief system that underlies the negative attitudes, stereotypes and stigma that devalue persons with disabilities on the basis of their actual or perceived impairments.

Aboriginal Community Controlled (ACCOs) - Not-for-profit bodies initiated and governed by local Aboriginal people to deliver tailored, culturally safe services Organisations (ACCOs).

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) - Ways to communicate other than speech. These might be body movements or gestures, sign language, technology such as computers or tablets, communication books or printed materials.

Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights - The Charter describes what consumers, or someone they care for, can expect when receiving health care. These rights apply to all people in all places where health care is provided in Australia. This includes public and private hospitals, day procedure services, general practice and other community health services.

Autism - Is a neurological developmental difference that impacts the way an Autistic person sees, experiences, understands and responds to the world. Every person’s lived experience of Autism is different.

Carer - A person who provides personal care, support and assistance to another individual who needs it because the individual has a disability, medical condition (including a terminal or chronic illness) or mental illness, or they are frail and aged. An individual is not a carer merely because they are a spouse, de facto partner, parent, child, other relative or guardian of an individual, or live with an individual who requires care. A person is not considered a carer if they are paid, a volunteer for an organisation or caring as part of a training or education program.

Closing the Gap - A government strategy and a national agreement focused on improving life outcomes for Aboriginal peoples.

Co-design - Is a focused service improvement approach of consumer-centred planning, decision making, production and design; where new services or service reviews are determined in partnership with consumers who use them and may be affected by them.

Community Engagement - Community engagement refers to the processes and connections between government, communities and consumers in the development and implementation of policies, programs, services and projects. It encompasses a wide variety of government-community interactions ranging from information sharing to community consultation and in some instances, active participation in government decision making. It incorporates public participation, with people being empowered to contribute to decisions affecting their lives, through the acquisition of skills, knowledge and experience.

Consumer - A consumer is a person who has used, or may potentially use, health services, and includes family and carers. A healthcare consumer may also act as a consumer advocate or representative to provide a consumer perspective, contribute to consumer experiences, advocate for the interests of current and potential health service users, and take part in decision-making processes. Consumers are commonly identified by health services as patients, clients, participants or service users at point of care.

Consumer Engagement - Consumer engagement refers to health consumers, their family and carers, actively participating in:

• Their own individual care
• Healthcare planning and decision making
• Evaluating policy governance and safety and quality processes
• Healthcare monitoring and evaluation.

Cultural Responsiveness - An active, ongoing approach that recognizes the importance of cultural diversity, aiming to integrate this understanding into policies, practices, and interactions.

Cultural Safety - An environment, service, or workplace that is respectful, inclusive, and free of racism or discrimination, allowing individuals to feel safe, empowered, and have their identity respected.

Disability Stakeholder Reference Group (DSRG) - is a group of members with whom the majority are people with lived experience, including their families/carers. They represent, communicate, and advocate for the views, needs, concerns, and aspirations of people with disability across SALHN’s platforms and governance structures.

Disaggregated Data - Information that has been broken down into smaller groups to show differences between them. This can include categories like age, gender, cultural background or location.

Diversity - In the context of this strategy, diversity means ensuring inclusion of the voices and experiences of the broadest range of individuals, groups and circumstances including but not limited to:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities and the diversity within Aboriginal cultures
• People of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds
• People living in regional and rural remote communities
• People living with disability (such as people with physical, sensory, intellectual and cognitive disability)
• People who have lived or living experience of mental illness
• LGBTQIA+ communities
• Older Australians
• Children and young people
• People in prison
• Trauma affected persons
• Religious and spiritual groups and belief systems
• Emerging communities (such as new migrant communities, refugees including those who have experienced torture, trauma, grief and loss)
• Veterans

Domains - The key priority areas of the State Plan, shaped by emerging themes identified during statewide consultation. Domains guide the focus of actions to improve access and inclusion for people with disability.

Engagement - Engagement within the health context refers to an active and sharing relationship between health services, consumers, carers and community groups, which can become a partnership. Effective and active partnerships exist when:

• People are treated with respect - Information is shared and explored with them
• Participation and collaboration in healthcare processes are encouraged and supported to the extent consumers choose

Health Literacy - Health literacy is the extent to which consumers can obtain, process and understand information about health care, services and the health system. It also refers to a consumer’s capacity to use that information to make decisions about their health care. This means additional measures are needed to ensure equity in health literacy outcomes are enabled for consumers with limited English and proficiency (including reading skills) or capacity to access information, which may especially include those from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, a person with a disability or a culturally or linguistically diverse (CALD) background (especially if older) or children and young people.

Health Service - Health service means a service associated with:

• The promotion of health and wellbeing
• The prevention of disease, illness or injury
• Rehabilitation or ongoing care for persons who have suffered a disease, illness or injury.
• Services can be delivered in a local community through but not limited to, a hospital, community health centre, GP Plus clinic(s), A Dental Service, mental health services, aged care facilities, emergency and ambulance service, drug and alcohol services and health promotion programs.

Inclusion - The intentional, ongoing effort to ensure that all people can fully participate in all aspects of life.

Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) - Australian Government program designed to support people with disability, injury, or health conditions to find and keep work.

Intersectionality - How different aspects of a person’s identity, such as their gender, race, class, sexuality and disability can interact to create experiences of discrimination and marginalisation. Intersectionality helps us to understand how these experiences can overlap and intersect, and how they can be challenged and addressed.

Lived Experience (LE) - Lived experience refers to the subjective perception of a person’s experience of health or illness and is the representation of the experiences and choices of that person and the knowledge that they gain from these experiences and choices. People who have a lived or living experience of mental illness bring their knowledge and understanding gained (as individuals or in groups) from their direct experience living with mental illness and recovery.

LGBTQIA+ - An inclusive term for people whose sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics differ from the majority. It stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/ questioning, asexual and other diverse identities. The + acknowledges that there are many other ways people may describe their identity and experiences.

Measures - A way to track progress and understand if things are improving over time. Measures use numbers and data and are supported by stories or feedback (qualitative data) in reporting.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian Government initiative that provides funding for reasonable and necessary supports to people under 65 who have a significant and permanent disability.

National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards - The primary aims of the NSQHS Standards are to protect the public from harm and to improve the quality of health care. They provide a quality assurance mechanism that tests whether relevant systems are in place to ensure that expected standards of safety and quality are met.

1. Clinical Governance Standard.
2. Partnering with Consumers Standard.
3. Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard.
4. Medication Safety Standard.
5. Comprehensive Care Standard.
6. Communicating for Safety Standard.
7. Blood Management Standard.
8. Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard.

Neurodivergence and Neurodivergent - A non-medical term describing various neurological variations from the dominant societal norm, and people with these variations in their neurological development. Neurodivergent, in contrast to neurotypical, is used to describe people who may have one or more ways in which their brain functions differently to the ‘typical’ way. Some Autistic people also refer to themselves as neurodivergent.

PICU - Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit.

Sensory - Relates to the senses of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell, and the body’s ability to receive and process information from the environment through our sensory systems. In the context of autism, it can refer to the way an Autistic person processes information from their senses differently. Some may have a range of sensory sensitivities, while others may seek out sensory experiences.

Shared decision-making - Shared decision making involves discussion and collaboration between a consumer and their healthcare provider. It is about bringing together the consumer's values, circumstances, goals and preferences with the best available evidence about benefits, risks and uncertainties of treatment, in order to reach the most appropriate healthcare decisions for that person.

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) - SALHN encompasses the Flinders Medical Centre, the Repat Health Precinct and the Noarlunga Hospital, along with intermediate care services provided at GP Plus Super Clinics, Aboriginal Health and Family Clinics and the Aged Care Assessment Team. SALHN provides care for more than 350,000 people living in the southern metropolitan area of Adelaide, as well as providing a number of state-wide services to those in regional areas.

Trauma Informed Care (TIC) - Understands and considers the pervasive nature of trauma and promotes environments of healing and recovery rather than practices and services that may inadvertently re-traumatise.

Universal Design - Universal Design is defined by the Australian Human Rights Commission as designing environments so they can be accessed, understood and used by everyone regardless of age, size, ability or disability—and encompassing the creation of facilities, products, services and environments usable by all people without adaptations.

Qualitative Data - Information or data that describes qualities or experiences, often collected through words, stories or observations rather than numbers.

Quantitative Data - Information or data that can be counted or measured using numbers. Examples include statistics, percentages and totals.