Autistic teenagers are caught in the middle of a buck-passing exercise between the federal government and states and territories over the future of disability support.
One of the most vulnerable and crucial periods for an autistic person is adolescence, as they navigate a world of changes and the transition to adulthood.
Eliza Tait, who was diagnosed with autism at 14, describes it as having to take on a full-time self-advocacy role.
"I really had that period of struggle," the now-18-year-old told AAP.
"Part of autism being that I really struggled with my emotional regulation."
For Eliza and many like her, the challenges can become too much, with the university student ultimately finding herself hospitalised with anorexia.
"When you hear the same story over and over, and when policy could stop that, it's really heartbreaking," she said.
