Dr. David Duffy:

I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to brief the committee. Indeed, we made a fairly extensive written submission as well as our opening statement. I will, however, come back to what I think are the three most important areas in provision for students who are autistic throughout the entire year. It is around having access to prompt assessments, planning for places in advance and the in-school and out-of-school supports being available. Schools are sometimes expected to do things they were never resourced or trained to do and sometimes do not even have the legislative framework to do. Those are three very important things at a national level that would support schools in supporting autistic children throughout the year.