The 2023 Autism CRC Guidelines for ASD Therapy and Support

In 2023, Australia released significant updates to its national guidelines for supporting autistic children and their families, with a strong focus on treatment and intervention. The new guidelines, led by Autism CRC, represent the first national, evidence-based framework in Australia that specifically addresses therapy and intervention choices for autistic children.

Key features of the 2023 ASD treatment guidelines:

• Evidence-Based, Individualised Care: The guidelines stress the importance of treatments that are backed by solid research and tailored to each child’s unique strengths and needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach(UWA).
• Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice: They encourage professionals and families to support autistic children in ways that respect and celebrate neurodiversity, moving away from efforts to “fix” or “normalise” autism.(Autism CRC).
• Scope of Interventions: The guidelines lay out a wide variety of intervention options, giving families and practitioners information about different therapies so they can make informed choices based on what’s best for each child. (Autism CRC).
  • Developmental Interventions: Focus on building social, communication, and emotional skills through everyday interactions and relationships.
  • Behavioural Approaches: Use structured techniques, like positive reinforcement, to encourage helpful behaviours and reduce challenging ones.
  • Therapies Targeting Communication: Include speech and language therapy, alternative communication systems (like AAC devices), and social skills training.
  • Occupational Therapy: Helps children develop daily living skills, motor coordination, and sensory processing abilities.
  • Family and Caregiver Support: Provides training and resources to empower families to support their child’s growth and participation.
  • Education-Based Supports: Adapt learning environments and teaching methods to suit the needs of autistic students.
  • Medical and Allied Health Interventions: Involve health professionals to address related issues, such as anxiety, sleep, or co-occurring conditions.
  • Community and Peer Programs: Encourage social inclusion and participation in community activities and peer groups.

Attention deficits in ASD

Some children with Autism, also display a lack of focus, joint attention, concentration and sustained attention.  Stimulant medication is not a standard first-line treatment for these attention difficulties in ASD (as distinct from comorbid ADHD). The 2023 Autism CRC guidelines do not endorse stimulants as standard ASD treatment; they recommend cognitive, behavioural  strategies, early intensive behavioural intervention (EIBI), parental education, and if necessary dietary  and lifestyle recommendations.

Updated on 24/02/2026 by: Dr Jacques Duff- BA Psych; Grad Dip Applied Psychology PhD; MAPS
Reviewed on: 25/02/2026 by: Bernard Ferriere- Clinical Psychologist; BA; Grad Dip Applied Psychology; Dip Clinical Hypnosis; MAPS