More support for First Nations children and young people in Central Australia

The Albanese Government‘s $18.4 million investment to support children in Central Australia with FASD, ADHD and autism is being rolled out and will help children get the best possible start in life. 

The initiative is part of the landmark $250 million plan for A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia.

The funding will more than double the number of First Nations children with neurodevelopmental issues who can access assessments through the Child and Youth Assessment and Treatment Services (CYATS) Program.

The expansion, which is now underway, will allow neurodevelopmental assessment of around 200 First Nations children and young people each year, compared to 90 children per year currently.  

Additional staff have already been recruited, including two clinical neuropsychologists, one occupational therapist, two speech pathologists, a clinical case coordinator and an Aboriginal family support worker.

CYATS is a specialist service providing formal diagnostic assessment, speech pathology and occupational therapy intervention for Aboriginal children and young people with neurodevelopmental delay or disorder.

The CYATS teams will also be able to work with schools, other service providers and the youth justice system.

Quotes attributable to Minister Burney

“The expansion of the CYATS program shows our commitment to addressing the challenges facing children and young people in Central Australia.

“We are working in partnership with the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, the largest Aboriginal Community Controlled Health organisation in the NT, to improve health services for First Nations children and young people in the region.

“Because we know that early support and intervention for children with neurodevelopmental issues can make a big difference at school, at home and in the community.”

“This extra funding for children’s health services is a core component of our landmark investment in Central Australia. It will help CYATS support more than twice as many children as they do now.”

Quotes attributable to Donna Ah-Chee, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress

“Congress has known for a long time that if we get the start to life right we can change a child’s entire life story. 

“Too many children in our region have been impacted by intergenerational trauma which expresses itself in many cases, in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, FASD, learning delays and other impacts.

“If we can assess children early and provide early interventions we can make a big difference. 

“We started this critical work in 2018 and now, with these much needed additional resources, we can make sure that many more Aboriginal children and young people across Central Australia can get the assessment and help they need to get on to a more healthy development pathway.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McCarthy 

“FASD is often referred to as an invisible disability but as far as many families and communities are concerned, it's a very visible part of life with a profound impact on children and their families."

“Expanding the specialist youth assessment service will mean hundreds of children and teenagers get the diagnoses and interventions they need.”

“It’s very encouraging that specialist health professionals have already joined the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress team so this important work can start.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Kearney 

“Early intervention and targeted support can make a huge difference for young people with neurodevelopmental delays.

“Building on the assessment capacity of the CYATS team is an important way to identify the children who need extra help.

“This is just one part of the Government’s multi-faceted plan to improve the lives, the safety and the future outlook of people living in Central Australia.”

Quotes attributable to Marion Scrymgour, Member for Lingiari

“When I recently met with Congress, they told me of generations of families living with and dealing with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). 

“This is extremely difficult for families - but we also know that undiagnosed FASD can also lead to a lot of issues for the broader community.

“This expansion of funding for the CYATS program - out of Labor’s A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia - is going to make a huge difference in breaking the cycle of FASD. 

“But most importantly, it’ll make a huge difference in the lives of our young people and families in Central Australia.”