The Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory 
PO Box 4215,
Kingston ACT 2604

email: ChildDetentionNT@royalcommission.gov.au

Dear Commissioners

subject: submission on mistreatment of children in the Northern Territory juvenile detention system

Speaking Out for Autism Spectrum Disorder (SOfASD) in the Australian Capital Territory strongly endorses the submission that Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4) made to your inquiry.
SOfASD feels that Governments failure/refusal to recognise and act on the need to have specialist behavioural professionals, that is people with formal qualifications and appropriate levels of experience and peer review, results in abysmal outcomes for very vulnerable Australians in settings such as juvenile detention. This issue was raise previously in the article Behavioural needs of autistic Australians must be met.

The ongoing embarrassment of the ACT's boy-in-the-cage story (see Autism cage details emerge as United Nations investigates abuse of children) is another example of not using essential expertise to support children with challenging/unwanted/difficult behaviour.

We hope that you will recognise the need for specialist behavioural services and supports and seek to improve the use of these essential services in setting such as juvenile detention settings.

Please contact us if you need any addition information or clarification.

Bob Buckley
Chair, Speaking Out for Autism Spectrum Disorder (SOfASD)
a voice for people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the ACT

email: chair@sofasd.org.au
website: sofasd.org.au