Services for people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder took a big step forward today.

On 6 April 2005 at a Special General Meeting of the Autism Association of NSW, the largest autism-specific service provider in Australia, Members approved a new Constitution which, importantly, included a new name for the organisation.

From today, Autism Association of NSW will be known as Autism Spectrum Australia (or Aspect for short, where the “A” comes from Autism and the “spect” from Spectrum). The new name is very inclusive, acknowledging that autism is on a spectrum and that there is a range of diagnoses that make up the Autism Spectrum including Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder and Atypical Autism.

The new name will build on the organisation’s current service provision and give the organisation a voice at the national level, increasing options to seek funding for new programs from the federal government or national corporations. It also provides opportunities for collaborating with organisations to extend services to people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families.

According to Peter Werner, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), “We are a service provider, and the new Constitution will help us do a better job. It says what we have become since being founded 40 years ago, and where we want to go in the future. “

“At the same time”, continued Mr Werner, “it is important to reassure all the people who currently receive services from the organisation that NSW remains our focus, and that we will continue to look at how we can better meet the need for more services for people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.”

Adrian Ford, the Chief Executive Officer, said: “The new Constitution sets out the reason the organisation exists, which is to provide services to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families, along with those with related communication disorders. Everything the organisation does relates to these services, whether it be actually providing these services, giving information about these services or undertaking research to find out what services work best. The new Constitution and the new name really clarify that the organisation wants to use every opportunity to extend services to people with autism, because the need is so great.”

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) currently works with over 6,000 people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. The latest international prevalence figures suggest that as many as 40,000 people in NSW may be on the Autism Spectrum. Across the whole of Australia that number climbs to 130,000.