National Autism Health Roadmap: Co-design and community engagement

This report documents the co-design and community engagement initiative conducted by Autism CRC from November 2023 to February 2024, undertaken to directly inform Australia’s National Roadmap for Improving the Health and Mental Health of Autistic People.

What the project did

The initiative involved conversations with almost 200 stakeholders — including autistic people from diverse backgrounds, families and carers, practitioners, and service providers — alongside analysis of health data from approximately 5,000 individuals.

Co-design workshops were used to develop recommendations for reimagining health and mental health services so they are more accessible, appropriate, and effective for autistic people.

Key themes

• The importance of autistic-led and co-produced service design
• Addressing intersectionality: the compounding experiences of autistic people who are also Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA+, or from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• Gaps in mental health services and the need for autism-informed care
• The role of families and carers in supporting access to services

Why this matters

Autistic Australians experience significantly poorer health and mental health outcomes than the general population. This project ensures the National Roadmap is grounded in the lived experiences and priorities of those most affected.