Ms Tara O'Donnell-Killen:

It is just appalling that the service is not there. I have three autistic children with varying support needs and there is no support. We have had no support. Everything has had to come from us as a family. There are many people who are disadvantaged by the way the current system is set up and there are many neurodivergent parents who cannot access the support for their kids because of the barriers that are there and the fight one has to put in to try to access that support. It takes all the energy out of the family when they need to be putting that energy into changing the environment for their family members in order that everybody can thrive inside the family. It is just appalling. We are so heartened that the committee has invited us and all of the other autistic professionals and allies here over the past several months.

We are heartened that something is changing. We see it internationally and see the move professionally, where it is becoming more safe to speak up and represent the community as a professional and not hide who one is. It is becoming more safe in certain areas, but not all, by any means. It is a long way to go but I believe we have a real opportunity here. We are just heartened and hope that this committee can push this through and make these changes happen as we desperately need them.