Research evidence and policy landscape mapping

What we did

To inform the National Autism Strategy, we brought together community perspectives, research evidence and policy across key service areas including health, mental health, education, employment, housing, justice, diagnosis and early intervention. This included a national survey capturing more than 1,000 community perspectives, a review of over 700 research studies, and analysis of 120 policies and guidelines.

By integrating these findings, we identified key gaps, priorities and opportunities for reform.

What we found

Across all service areas, common themes emerged about what is needed to improve outcomes for autistic people. Key priorities included increasing understanding and acceptance of autism, improving access to timely and appropriate supports, ensuring services are accessible and responsive to individual needs, reducing financial and geographic barriers, and creating inclusive and sensory-friendly environments.

The findings also highlighted the importance of neurodiversity-affirming approaches, greater choice and flexibility in services, and ensuring autistic people feel heard, respected and supported. Importantly, many of the barriers identified cut across multiple service areas, requiring coordinated action across systems, services and sectors.

Why this matters

The National Autism Strategy aims to improve outcomes for autistic people across health and mental health, education, employment, housing, justice, and early intervention and support.

This work provides an evidence-informed foundation for the Strategy by identifying the shared challenges, priorities and opportunities that have the greatest potential to improve outcomes across multiple areas of life. It can help guide coordinated policy, investment and service reform, ensuring supports are more accessible, inclusive and responsive to the needs of autistic people, their families and carers.

Project team

Dawn Adams, Sonya Girdler, Stephanie Malone, Wenn Lawson, Annette Carroll, Ocean Colville, Kate Simpson, Emily D’Arcy, Emily Jackson, Lydia Timms, Valeska Berg, Patrice Whitehorne-Smith, Tanya Picen and Bahareh Afsharnejad.