Making a global impact on early Autism diagnosis
Many Autistic children face lengthy waits for a diagnosis - missing a crucial window for support when it could make the biggest difference. Fewer than 3% are diagnosed before age two, despite clear evidence that early identification improves learning, development, and wellbeing.¹
La Trobe a national leader in Autism support
La Trobe University is shaping how Australia supports Autistic people. Through the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) - Australia’s first and leading centre for Autism research - our experts have helped shape the country’s first National Autism Strategy and the new National Roadmap. We are influencing government policy, building inclusive systems, and developing tools now used in 17 countries to support earlier, more accurate Autism diagnosis.
Victorian Early Assessment Clinic
In 2023, La Trobe launched the Victorian Early Assessment Clinic (VEAC) to address the most urgent barrier to early diagnosis: access. VEAC delivers lower-cost, neurodiversity-affirming assessments for children under three. But demand is rising fast. With capacity limited to two days a week and just 2.5 assessments per week, more than 125 families face an 11-month delay.
We know how much difference early diagnosis can make. Children identified and supported early are 30% less likely to need ongoing school-based support. The societal benefit is clear: every $1 invested in early intervention returns $6 in economic benefit², through reduced support costs, improved school readiness, and greater participation.
How your gift can help
Join us to help more Autistic children and their families gain prompt access to early assessment through VEAC. Expanding VEAC will help us more than double the number of assessments we can deliver - ensuring families aren’t left waiting, and children receive the support they need at the time it matters most.
1 Mozolic-Staunton, B, Donelly, M, Yoxall, J & Barbaro, J 2020, ‘Early detection for better outcomes: Universal developmental surveillance for autism across health and early childhood education settings’, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, vol. 71, p. 101496.
2 AEIOU Foundation 2023, Cost-benefit analysis of intensive early intervention for children with autism, AEIOU Foundation.