What is the new Australian Government “Helping Children with Autism” package that came into being as from 1st July this year for children with Autism and PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder)? What are the Medicare rebates and other services now available for diagnosing and treating ? I asked myself these questions and searched online for an answer, only to find a maze of information on various government sites. I ended up wondering if I had got the total picture and I was none the wiser as to whether or not children diagnosed with Fragile X would be eligible for the new services.

Jocelyn requested further information from the Department of Health and Aging and the picture became clearer. The reason for information being on various sites is because “Helping Children with Autism” is multi faceted. It involves services provided by the Department of Health and Ageing, the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The package includes:

• Medicare rebates for specified diagnosis and treatment plans for children with PDD up to the age of 13
• Specific Medicare rebates for treatment of PDD by allied medical professionals for children up to the age of 15 – Speech Therapists, Psychologists and Occupational Therapists.
• Training for teachers,
• Education and support for parents and carers.
• Increased access to early intervention programs for children up to the age of 6 years old.

What are the implications for children with Fragile X Syndrome. A diagnosis of Fragile X Syndrome alone is not enough for inclusion in the Helping Children With Autism services. Fragile X is not a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). A child with Fragile X, would also have to have a diagnosis of a PDD to be included in the treatment and early intervention programs.

What are the PDDs? They are a group of five disorders, characterized by delays in the development of multiple basic functions including socialization and communication. These are:

1. Autism
2. Rett Syndrome
3. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
4. Asperger Syndrome
5. Pervasive Development Disorder not otherwise specified (PDD NOS)

This classification used by the program is taken from a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM-IV-TR)

Because of the varying nature of symptoms and the degree they are affected, many children with Fragile X do not fall into the above criteria. Some children with Fragile X are also diagnosed with Autism so they would qualify for the program. Although Fragile X is sometimes considered an Autism Spectrum Disorder and many children have some autistic symptoms, they do not fit the full criteria for Autism itself.

People affected by Fragile X may be eligible instead for medicare rebated treatment under the classification of Chronic Disease Management Items. This program is coordinated by GP’s and may be available to patients who have complex and chronic health needs, needing at least three health care providers e.g. GP, Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist.

More about the Helping Children with Autism Package