a ommunity of support for autism...autism ommunity network inc. [email protected]...

Autism Community Network Inc. www.autismcommunity.org.au [email protected]

Editor: Steve Drakoulis

Autism Community Network Incorporation No. INC9896017 ABN : 64 103 662 535 CFA No: 22825

Address: 5/154 Broad Arrow Road Riverwood NSW Postal: PO Box 188 Riverwood NSW 2210 Email: [email protected] Website: www.autismcommunity.org.au

Tel: (02) 9584 0073

SPECTRUM

I S S U E 7 7

A Community of Support for Autism

March 2015

In March the ACN will be launching support groups in Blacktown and Penrith, providing Sydney’s west with much needed opportuni-ties for carers to connect with their commu-nity.

Our continuing growth is in line with the increasing needs of families living with ASDs. There just isn’t enough out there of what people really need. Opportunities to connect; to break the isolation. We are able to achieve our goals with the support of other groups in the community, as well as fantastic volunteers who want to give back.

In the meantime, the ACN continues to operate on the smell of an oily rag and we know that eventually we will struggle to keep going without significant financial support.

In February, we were invited to attend an event with the Prime Minister. We were praised for our work by our Federal Member, Mr David Coleman, who is a strong advocate of what we do for families everywhere. Mr Cole-man made Mr Abbott aware of what the ACN has achieved to date, and pointed out that it has been done with-out any financial support from the Federal government; something he was keen to see change. We are fortu-nate to have someone like David Coleman advocating for us.

It was great for the ACN to have an opportunity to share our story and the needs of our community with the PM. In the meantime, another great supporter, NSW MP Mark Coure, is advocating for us at state level; but if we don’t get financial support, all the respect and appreciation we have in the world won’t stop us from closing ours doors.

In the meantime, our bbq and donation stall have helped us raise $2800 this month. An amazing effort from our members who are already overstretched in their caring roles. We are grateful to all of you who support us.


Disclaimer This newsletter is for the purpose of providing readers with information and options in their communities. Inclusion of events or information does not imply endorsement by the A.C.N. We have made every effort to maintain up to date and correct information but urge every reader to only use the content as a guide and do their own research before deciding on any course of action. The Autism Community Network reserves the right to choose whether to publish or edit any information provided for distribution to readers of this newsletter or our website. Any dealings with members of this network must at all times be conducted in a manner based on mutual courtesy or respect. Failure to observe this may result in exclusion from this network.

The Autism Community Network acknowledges the support we receive by the following organisations, without whom we could not provide all the programs and services we do for our community. We are extremely grateful to all these partners and sponsors.


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Noah’s Ark Toy Library for Children with Special Needs

Phone 9411 4429, [email protected]. Borrowing locations and dates in 2015 (not during school or public holidays): Artarmon - Artarmon Community Library, 2 Elizabeth Street – every Wed 10am-12noon. Ryde - Cerebral Palsy Alliance (former The Spastic Centre), 3A Smalls Road, North Ryde – 1st & 3rd Tue 10am-12.30pm. Thornleigh - Thornleigh Hillcrest Uniting Church, 309 Pennant Hills Road, cnr Paling Street – 2nd & 4th Mon 10am-12.30pm. Wahroonga - St Andrews Church Hall, Cnr Water & Cleveland Streets – 1st & 3rd Fri, 10am-12.30pm. Baulkham Hills - Norwest Anglican Parish, 19 Chapel Lane, Baulkham Hills – 1st & 3rd Mon, 10am-12.30pm.

Host an event with family and friends

The ACN would like to invite its members and supporters to host an event during April.

Register to host a breakfast, morning tea, ladies

day in, picnic, playdate or dinner party.

We’ll send you all the information you need about Autism, the ACN and ideas on how to run the

event.

All proceeds from these events will help the ACN to continue to provide support services for our 680

member families.

Call Najwa on 0419 964 666 to find out more or go to our website to register.

I WISH

A seminar for professionals working with autism. What do clients want from individualised services? 10am-2pm Tuesday 7 April 2015 CIVIC THEATRE, McMahon St, Hurstville $60 Morning tea and lunch provided. $50 Early bird before 15 March Call Claudia on 0420 669 281 to find out more. The NDIS will see disability services change from program to client based funding. Organisations will need to find a competitive edge, something that sets them apart, something that makes clients choose them. So, what do clients want? This seminar explores common problems in service delivery, gives examples of best practice and dis-cusses a wish list of support from the point of view of families living with autism. It will benefit Board members, CEOs, Managers and frontline workers. $60 or $50 early bird before 15 March 2015. Morning tea and lunch provided.

mailto:[email protected]


The Luke Priddis Foundation was established by a dad in Penrith after his son was diagnosed with an ASD.

They provide services for their local area but just like the ACN, they can only do so much.

We have now joined forces with LPF to help sup-port that area further, and this month we are start-ing a support group for parents ad carers in that region.

We hope this will be the first of more projects to-gether; in fact, we can say the second, as we launched last month, a Fathers and Grandfathers Information group for the west together, Our guest speaker was Luke Pridddis himself, the Founder of the group, and a prominent former NRL player.

We had 16 male carers attend, a good turnout, and while they got a lot out of Luke’s speech, enabling them to connect with other dads and granddads was the other great objective of this group.

Christine Smallwood, a Special Needs teacher and carer of an ASD child herself, has joined our team and the LPF staff, and will be running our monthly support group out of a local school

PENRITH SUPPORT GROUP

Frequency: First Tuesday each month When: 9.30 to 11.00 am Venue: Kingswood South Public School 60-68 Smith Street Kingsgwood Facilitator: Christine Smallwood Cost: Free

The ACN, in partnership with Junaya Family Development Services in Blacktown, and the Luke Priddis Foundation in Penrith, is expanding our support services to the western suburbs. Until now, while we have used our existing resources to help families in the west, we have not had a physical presence in this region.

Junaya Family Development Services have been supporting the local Blacktown community for a long time, and were keen to find a means to help more families with children on the autism spec-trum. Like us, their story involves a parent starting something that kept on growing.

We are pleased to be teaming up with Junaya in bringing support for autism in this area of the west-ern suburbs. Their passion and commitment is en-couraging for the future of support for ASD families in the west.

On 17 March, we will be launching the group with a special appearance by the ever popular Matt B, who will share his story on growing up on the spectrum. Feedback from his recent talks in Hornsby and Chatswood shows us how much we, as parents, value the input of a young man who understands the path of our children.

Then, from 1st April, we will run a monthly support group for parents and carers, helping to develop the same level of community and information shar-ing as we have in our other areas.

The group will be facilitated by Briana Blackett, a mum of an ASD child with an impressive back-ground in getting things done.

We are optimistic that this group will be the first of more opportunities for local families to connect.

WESTERN SUBURBS GROUP Frequency: First Wednesday each month When: 10 am to Noon Venue: Blacktown Workers Club - 55 Campbell Street, Blacktown Facilitator: Briana Blackett Cost: Free


NILS SCHEME-NO INTEREST LOANS SCHEME Not all areas of NSW are covered by a NILS at

present. http://www.nilsnswfindascheme.org.au/

Housing Support https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/housing-support http://www.safeinvestor.com.au/claiming-your-nras-incentive.html https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/housing-support/programmes-services/national-rental-affordability-scheme

HELP RAISE AWARENESS IN SCHOOLS

DURING APRIL

In 2014, During April Autism Awareness month, the Au-tism Community Network wrote to 100 Primary schools, inviting them to participate in an autism awareness day. This year, our aim is to con-tact 500 schools. We have created a very simple Power Point slide show, with the theme of "How I can be a better friend to a classmate with autism". An accompanying information sheet allows a teacher to present this information in no more than 5-10 minutes during the day. With so many members now we ask for you to help get your school involved, by letting them know of this year's campaign and how easy it is for them to participate. All the information they will need is on this page, and for a small effort they can help create a better environment for all ASD children. World Autism Awareness Day is April 2nd. As this is the day before the Easter break, most of our primary schools will be running Easter themed activities, so we are proposing a day during the first week back after the school holidays. Please don't hesitate to contact us via [email protected] for more information. For your school to register click on the image of George on our website,

NSW Smart & Skilled Program “All Training provided under Smart & Skilled Program is subsi-dised by the NSW Government“ For More information, visit www.smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au Smart and Skilled is a reform of the NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. It will help people in NSW to find a

job and advance their careers. From 1 January 2015, Smart and Skilled provides eligible students with:

an entitlement to government-subsidised training up to and including Certificate III

government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas. Eligibility: To check your eligibility click this link www.smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au/are-you-eligible/frequently-asked-questions REACH for Training is approved to provide these qualifications under NSW Smart & Skilled Program.

First NSW Advocate for Children and Young People

In December 2014, Acting Secretary General of the ChildFund Alliance Andrew Johnson was appointed as NSW’s first Advocate for Children and Young People from 9 January 2015. He will represent the interests of all young people under the age of 25, regarding government policies, programs and decisions which impact on their lives.

The Advocate for Children and Young People is an independent statutory office that replac-es the Commission for Children and Young People, which was established in 1999.

The creation of the Advocate for Children and Young People was a recommendation of the Strengthening advocacy for children and young people in NSW report which reflected the views of over 900 children and young people and more than 40 organisations.

http://www.nilsnswfindascheme.org.au/

https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/housing-support

https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/housing-support

http://www.safeinvestor.com.au/claiming-your-nras-incentive.html

http://www.safeinvestor.com.au/claiming-your-nras-incentive.html

https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/housing-support/programmes-services/national-rental-affordability-scheme




Support from Disability Teacher Consultants at TAFE Disability Teacher Consultants can help people with disabili-ties or medical conditions prior to / during enrolment and during their training. It is important that you contact the Disa-bility Teacher Consultants as soon as possible so they can work with you to determine and put in place the necessary adjustments as soon as possible. For information or to make an appointment, see www.nsi.tafensw.edu.au/Services/DisabilityServices.aspx or contact the Disability Support Unit on 131 674 or [email protected].

Hi Steve, You mentioned anxiety, we were put on to an App which is free called Smiling Mind, really worth every penny, Mitch attached himself to it and it also provides ways to Meditate. You can do the suggested instructions at your lei-sure , Mitch did 25 lessons in 3 days, and not only that it enabled him to get to bed and sleep whereas that has been a prob-lem for years. I realise this will not work for everyone. Betty

Ability Links NSW spoke at our Hills District group this month. Here is some of the infor-mation we came away with: Ability Links can help people with disabilities (aged 9 to 64) link in with activities they would like to access in the community. These activities are generally in addition to school, work or daily community par-

ticipation programs (like starting a hobby, joining a team or learning a new skill). For example, if a person with a disability wanted to join an art class, a person from Ability Links ‘a Linker’ would help them by doing things like:

Working with the art teacher to make sure their needs are be taken into account while in the art class

Finding someone to work with the person with a disability to make sure they had everything they need to participate

Ensuring the person has support until they are confident to participate in the art class inde-pendently

This could involve assisting the person to access transport to and from the art class and/or helping them to understand what is expected from them once they are in class. This is how they describe their service: “Ability Links NSW is about building a person’s informal networks to support them to achieve their goals and have their needs and interest met within their local communities.” More info can be found here: http://www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/individuals/inclusion_and_participation/ability_links_nsw

http://www.gigbuddiessydney.org/ Do you like live music? Gig Buddies is a project that pairs up people with and without learning disabilities to be friends and to go to events together. The service regularly recruits new volunteers to buddy up with a person who has a learning disability and are looking for volunteers all over Sydney. If you have a learning disability and would like to go to more events, join Gig Buddies! The Gig Buddies manager will meet with you and talk to you about the project. You’ll then be paired with somebody who shares your interests to attend gigs and other events with.

http://www.nsi.tafensw.edu.au/Services/DisabilityServices.aspx

http://www.nsi.tafensw.edu.au/Services/DisabilityServices.aspx


http://www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/individuals/inclusion_and_participation/ability_links_nsw

http://www.gigbuddiessydney.org/


Courtesy of Sue Larkey mailout www.suelarkey.com.au

Tips for Toileting Toilet training your child is a big task even for neuro-typical children. Parents of-ten procrastinate over when to start and we keep delaying it for whatever reason we can think of! My biggest concern for children with an ASD is if they are not out of nappies by five years of age then they often start to lose muscle control and can end up with long term bowel and bladder issues. Toileting is not something that the child will grow into or get better with age. We all need to action ASAP! So many parents of children with an ASD just don't know where to start so Jo Ad-kins and I put together a book called Tips for Toileting to help get you started. When to Start Toilet Training

Signs of readiness in children with autism are not evident like they are with neuro-typical children. The main sign of readiness is compliance, or the child's ability to imitate. If you can get the child to do what you ask, and/or copy an action - then they are ready.

Summer holidays are the best time to start. Generally a good guide is the first summer after the child turns three. If you leave it later than this (i.e. four to five years) you face the possibility that the child may be less obliged to comply and they know how to push boundaries a little further. Plus habits around toilet-ing will have begun to form as the child has got more aware of bladder and bowel control. Realistically you need to allow up to three weeks of intensive toilet training. Most children will pick it up within a week, but a few can take up to three weeks. You won't know where your child fits into this until you start. (Remember just one wee in the toilet is progress, look for small signs to start). Think Toilet TIMING not Toilet TRAINING Create good routines around toilet timing. Have set times when the child must go to the toilet. Examples include: · When they get up in the morning. · Before leaving the house at any time of the day. · Before bed (as part of the bedtime routine). · Any time they may not be able to access a toilet for an hour or more. · Before going into any water (bath, swimming pool, etc). · Before getting into the car. · Before eating i.e. toilet, wash hands, eat.

My 10 Top Tips for Toileting 1. Avoid potties! Start out with the end in mind. Children with autism have trouble generalising and the last thing you want is to have to carry their pottie around with you everywhere you go! 2. Visuals are very important. Make up some visuals to help the child understand the toileting process and to provide a prompt. 3. Prepare lots of FUN activities to do with the child. Making going to the toilet fun takes the pressure off and makes it a motivating place to go. 4. Rewards are one of the most important elements of toilet training - children need a motivator as it is just too easy to continue to go in their nappy. Rewards need to be instant and powerful. Reward IMMEDI-ATELY and reward the same every time. 5. Base yourself in or right next to the toilet for the first few days of toilet training. Have as many home comforts in the room for the child to make it a fun environment. 6. Remove nappies. Once you start toilet training do not let the child put on any form of nappy until they go to bed at night. If you let them wear them during the day at all they will learn to hold on until they are in their nappy. 7. Toilet time - put the child on the toilet every 30 minutes for 10 minutes at a time, increasing time as they get the hang of it. 8. Teach the child the whole steps of toileting - including putting on underpants, flushing the toilet and washing hands. 9. Some children may have sensory sensitivities related to toileting. Sensory sensitivities need to be respected and worked on. 10. Create good routines around toilet timing. Have set times when the child must go to the toilet. Over the past few years I have had some amazing feedback from families who have previously struggled with toileting training - but once they bought Tips for Toileting and implemented the strategies in the book they finally had success. Their stories are so inspirational and motivating.

http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=9hJIw&m=IpOgqX1LSov439&b=eoIHBz8bccgiQ7q0dmWMWA


Workshops at St Lucy’s during March What? St Lucy’s accredited trainers and staff present

the following sessions for parents and commu-nity.

Dr Annemaree Bickerton (Child, Adolescent and Family Psychiatrist) and Toni Garretty (Clinical Coordinator) Family and Carer Mental Health Program, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District presents:

An intervention for FAMILIES AND CARERS “Staying Connected When Emotions Run High”

This FREE workshop will be extremely relevant if you support someone who:

Has relationship difficulties

Demonstrates changing emotions & strong overwhelming feelings

Displays impulsive & destructive behaviour e.g. cutting Has a diagnosis of Personality Disorder

Venue : Hurstville Entertainment Centre, MacMahon St Hurstville Date & Time: Tuesday 24 March 9:15 registration, 9:30am – 3:30pm Bookings essential: Contact Sutherland Mental Health Administration on: 95407800

Parenting Children with AD/HD

What? Godelieve Hofman-Verkuyl offers this 5 session parenting program for group of 10 par-ents of primary school aged children recently diagnosed with AD/HD. It focuses on Understanding AD/HD behaviours and how it impacts on family dynamics, developing a positive relation with your child, using new strategies in managing AD/HD type of behaviours, building your child’s self esteem, devel-oping better support networks for your child. Discussions, practice and reflection based on a course developed by the Institute of Family Practice.

Where? Allambie Heights.

When? Thursdays 6.30pm–9pm, starting 5 March.

Cost? $180 per person for the series.

RSVP? For information and to book, contact Godelieve on 0425 256 989 or [email protected].

Source: Warringah Disability Newsletter"

Proloquo2go – Technical and Activity Streams on Thursday 5 March,10.30am–12.30pm (technical – for new users) and 1pm–3pm (activity). The Occupational Therapy Team and School Psy-chologist, Mimi Fraser will assist people to use assistive communication technology, and learn different ways of incorporating the program into daily routine. St Lucy’s families $50, others $100. Register by 1 March. Key Word Signing on Wednesday 18 March, 9.30am-4pm: Speech Pathologist Melissa Miao and Special Education Teacher Nicole Alldis cover the use of Key Word Sign and natural gesture to assist individuals who have difficulties with receptive and/or expressive communication. Relevant for anyone living or working with a person with communication difficulties including families, teachers, health pro-fessionals, child care workers and volunteers. No previous signing experience is necessary. Morning tea and a light lunch will be served. St Lucy’s families $100, others $120. Register by 12 March. (Manuals ‘Getting Started with Key Word Sign’ can be purchased.) Self Care and Teaching New Skills on Wed 25 March, 9.30am-11.30am: St Lucy’s Occupational Therapists and School Psychologist willl identify and note the importance of self care skills, discuss task analysis and setting up for success, and a hierarchy of prompts and how to fade out prompts. St Lucy’s families $50, others $100. Register by 18 March. Where? St Lucy’s School, 21 Cleveland St, Wahroonga. Cost? St Lucy’s families who are experiencing difficult financial situations can contact Natalie. RSVP? Contact Natalie Montgomery on 9487 1277 or [email protected].





BANKSTOWN KIDS ART GROUP Frequency: Second and Fourth Friday of each month When: Friday 4.00-5.30 Venue: RSAC - 11 Greenfield Pde Bankstown (opposite Bankstown Sports Club) Facilitator: Veronica Pepe Cost: Free. ASD Kids and Siblings all welcome Free parking at Bankstown Sports Club or council car park metres away—Enter via door at end of entry lane Provided By: ACN with funding from Bankstown Sports Club and support from RSAC

EASTERN SUBURBS SUPPORT GROUP Frequency: 1st Wednesday of the month When: 10.00 am to Noon Venue: Juniors at The Junction - in the Board room Corner Anzac Parade & Haig Street, Maroubra Facilitator: Jackie Atallah Cost: Free Provided By: ACN & Maroubra Seals

FATHERS INFORMATION EVENINGS Frequency: 8 times a year

When: Tuesdays 6.30 to 9.30 pm ALL TO BE CONFIRMED CLOSER TO DATE

Western Sydney

10 Feb, 8 Sep— Tuesdays 6.30 for 7.00 pm start to 9.00

Penrith Golf Club - Lounge—Northern Road Penrith

In partnership with the Luke Priddis Foundation

Inner West

10 Mar, 11 Aug—Tuesdays 6.30 for 7.00 pm start to 9.00

Club Burwood RSL—97 Burwood Road, Burwood

Southern Suburbs

12 May, 13 Oct— Tuesdays 6.30 for 7.00 pm start to 9.00

Tradies Gymea—57 Manchester Road North, Gymea

Northern Suburbs

9 Jun, 8 Dec— Tuesdays 6.30 for 7.00 pm start to 9.00

Chatswood Club—11 Help Street, Chatswood

Provided Free by ACN, our community partners and venue sponsors. Refreshments also provid-ed. See our website closer to dates for guest speakers and any changes.


HORNSBY FAMILY DAY Frequency: First Sunday of each month

When: Sunday 10.30 to 12.30

Venue: Bobbin Head — in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park - meet next to the playground on the water's side

Facilitator: Caroline Nicholson

Cost: $11 per car entry—buy your own lunch and drinks

This is run as a social skills group for children with an ASD, their siblings and their entire family. There is a lot to do there, they have a fenced park, bush walks, you can feed the fish, there are BBQ's and a café

Note: Parents or carers must remain on site to supervise their children.

HORNSBY SUPPORT GROUP

Frequency: First Tuesday Monthly

When: 7.30 to 9.30 pm

Venue: Hornsby RSL Club— in the Sports Lounge — 4 High Street Hornsby

Facilitator: Caroline Nicholson

Cost: Free

HILLS DISTRICT SUPPORT GROUP

Frequency: Meet at least once per term for lunch or morning tea. Term 1 meeting: Date: To be confirmed Time: Midday Cost: Buy own lunch and drinks Facilitator: Elena 0417 447 992 Venue: Lunches at The Winston Bistro Morning teas at Elena’s Place, 239 Excelsior Avenue, Castle Hill Support group meetings for parents of children with autism. Elena has been providing support for many years for her local community and as part of our network now brings all the ACN's re-sources into the mix.

INNER WEST SUPPORT GROUP

Frequency: Monthly — Second Sunday of each month

When: Sunday 2.00 to 4.00 pm

Venue: Canterbury Leagues Club—26 Bridge Rd Belmore

—In the inner section of the bistro

Facilitator: Jan Wright

Cost: Free

Children always welcome, we sit them at a table beside us so that they can social-ise together.

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/ku-ring-gai-chase-national-park

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/ku-ring-gai-chase-national-park


RYDE AREA SUPPORT GROUP Frequency: Second Thursday of each month When: 7.30 to 9.30 pm Venue: Eastwood Rugby Club 146 – 150 Vimiera Road Eastwood NSW John Haynes Room Facilitator: Andrea Lee Cost: Free

NORTHERN BEACHES SUPPORT GROUP

Frequency: Monthly—Third Thursday

When: 7.30 to 9.30 pm

Venue: Encores Annex on the ground floor—Manly - Warringah Rugby Leagues Club

Corner Federal Parade & Pittwater Road Brookvale

Facilitator: Judi Huxedurp

Cost: Free

Provided By: Our meeting room is kindly donated by Manly Leagues Club.

NORTHERN BEACHES FAMILY DAY

Frequency: Third Sunday of each month

When: Sunday 3.00 pm

Venue: Collaroy Beach Park - By the Surf Club

Facilitator: Judi Huxedurp

Cost: Free – BYO own munchies and drinks

RYDE AREA FAMILY DAY Frequency: 3rd Saturday of each month When: 3.00pm to 5.00pm Venue: Blenheim Park in North Ryde – Facilitator: Andrea Lee The Blenheim Park has play areas that suit kids with a wide range of age from toddlers to teenagers as it has sand pits, scooter and bike paths, play equipments suiting a wide age range, flying fox, an enclosed dog park and a remote control car track. . Check out this website http://www.weekendnotes.com/blenheim-park/ We will be meeting at one of the sheltered pagoda near the toilet facility. Come join other fam-ilies at the park for a play and a chat. To RSVP respond to [email protected]

http://www.weekendnotes.com/blenheim-park/



PENRITH SUPPORT GROUP

Frequency: First Tuesday of each month

When: 9.30 to 11.00 am

Venue: Kingswood South Public School

60-68 Smith Street Kingsgwood

Facilitator: Christine Smallwood

Cost: Free

Provided By: Autism Community Network (ACN) and the Luke Priddis Foundation (LPF)

SUTHERLAND SHIRE EVENING SUPPORT GROUP

Frequency: Third Tuesday Monthly

When: 7.30 to 9.30 pm

Venue: Tradies Club Caringbah—Level 2

28 - 30 Banksia Road, Caringbah

Facilitator: Steve Drakoulis

Cost: Free

An opportunity to meet other carers who understand you. We share experiences and new information.

SUTHERLAND SHIRE TRAMPOLINING PLAY DAY

Frequency: First Sunday of each month

When: 10.00 to 11.00 am

Venue: Flipout Caringbah—12 Parraweena Rd Caringbah

Facilitator: Alex, Laureine or Judy from the ACN

Cost: $14/hr—All families pay own costs

Carer can participate free if you advise venue that child has disability.

A chance for the kids to have some fun while parents socialise together

Notes:

A) Parents or carers must remain on site to supervise their children.

B) Venue requires all to complete a waiver before using trampolines.

http://www.st-thomas.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Flip_Out_WAIVER.pdf

C) Socks are compulsory for all jumpers.

Organised By: ACN

SUTHERLAND SHIRE DAY SUPPORT GROUP

Frequency: First Wednesday Monthly

When: 10 am to Noon

Venue: Tradies Club Gymea

57 Manchester rd Nth, Gymea

Facilitator: Alex Baltins

Cost: Free

An opportunity to meet other carers who understand you. We share experiences and new information.


ST.GEORGE INFORMATION DAY

Frequency: First Thursday each month

When: 10.00 a.m. to noon

Venue: Kingsgrove Community Aid Centre— 30 Morgan Street

Facilitator: Steve Drakoulis

Cost: Gold Coin Donation

Provided By: Kingsgrove Community Aid Centre

Guest speakers monthly

ST. GEORGE KIDS COOKING CLUB Frequency: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month

When: Tuesday 4.00 to 6.00 pm

Venue: Kingsgrove Community Aid Centre— 30 Morgan Street

Facilitator: Liz Diab.

Cost: Free to ACN members thanks to funding

You can register through the ACN website for this group each fortnight. Kids will have the opportunity to learn cooking skills and have fun while their parent or car-er remains on site and can watch them getting right into all the fun. We aim to give as many children an opportunity so new kids will be given priority each month.

To register click on BOOKINGS on our website and select Cooking Club.

Note: This group is expensive to run, if you book a spot please make every effort to attend as It costs to run and others are missing out.

Provided By: ACN & KCAC

ST. GEORGE FAMILY DAY

Frequency: Last Sunday of each month

When: 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Venue: Smith Park—30 Morgan Street Kingsgrove (behind

Kingsgrove Community Centre)

Facilitator: Liz and Taf from the ACN

Cost: Free

Children: This is a group for all ACN families

This is run as a social group for children with an ASD, their siblings

and their entire family. The park has an enclosed playground, bbq

facilities and suitable areas to bring bikes and scooters along.

Note: Parents or carers must remain on site to supervise their chil-dren.

"The pursuit of normality is the ultimate sacrifice of potential.”


WESTERN SUBURBS Support Group Frequency: First Wednesday of the month When: 10 am to Noon Venue: Blacktown Workers Club - 55 Campbell Street, Blacktown Facilitator: Briana Blackett Cost: Free Provided By: ACN and Junaya To attend please RSVP to [email protected]

ST. GEORGE KIDS ART GROUP

Frequency: 1st & 3rd Friday during school terms When: 4.00 to 5.30 pm Venue: George River Life Care—in rooms upstairs 23 Stanley Street, Peakhurst Facilitator: Steve Drakoulis. Cost: Gold Coin Donation.

This is run as a social skills group for children with an ASD and their siblings are also encouraged to attend. We have painting, drawing and craft activities and a chance for kids to make friends.

Note: Parents or carers must remain on site to supervise their children. Provided By: ACN & Georges River Life Care

ST.GEORGE YOUTH CLUB

Frequency: 2nd and 4th Friday during school terms When: 4.00 to 5.30 pm Venue: George River Life Care—in rooms upstairs 23 Stanley Street, Peakhurst Facilitator: Geoff Marks Cost: Free This is a social group for teens between 13 and 18 years old who have high functioning autism Note: Parents or carers must remain on site and will be seated in an ad-join room to enjoy a coffee together. Any younger children must remain with the parents it all times and cannot participate with the teens’ group. Provided By: ACN and Georges River Life Care

SYDNEY CITY SUPPORT GROUP

Frequency: Last Thursday of the month When: 6.30 to 8.30 pm Venue: The York - 95-99 York Street City Facilitator: Jamie Blake Cost: Free

To book in to attend the next group please respond to [email protected] .



The Autism Community Network, along with our community partners presents this opportunity for fathers, grandfathers and all other important male figures in a child’s life. The meetings help us learn how to feel more involved and gain a better understanding of autism issues affecting our children.

Guest speakers from professional backgrounds, as well as people with lived experiences provide these valuable insights to give us hope for the present and the future of our children.

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To register please click on Bookings at www.autismcommunity.org.au For more information contact us at [email protected]

Or call Steve, on (02) 9584 0073 or 0431 724 229

Autism Community Network Inc.

Incorporation No. INC9896017 | ABN : 64 103 662 535 | CFA No: CFN/2282

Inner West

Tuesdays 6.30 for 7.00 pm start to 9.00 Club Burwood RSL—97 Burwood Road Burwood

Northern Suburbs

Tuesdays 6.30 for 7.00 pm start to 9.00

Chatswood Club—11 Help Street Chatswood

Western Sydney


Penrith Golf Club — Northern Road Penrith

Southern Suburbs


Tradies Club—57 Manchester Road North, Gymea

Supported by

Provided Free by ACN, our community partners and venue sponsors. Refreshments also provided See our website closer to dates for guest speakers and any changes.


COMMON GROUND GROUPS The ACN provides opportunities for our members to connect with others who have similar experiences to their own. Be they language based, health issues or other aspects of their autism world, you can connect with people who share a Common Ground with you.

Many of our members have joined some of these groups, but as there have been more created since then, we are sending out this update.

You can choose to join any of these groups or suggest another.

We will then add to that list: your first name and initial Your suburb Your child’s gender and age where relevant And your email address You can then in your time contact others who may live near you for a chat or mutual support. Updated lists are

sent out monthly.

In addition to the lists, we also invite you to join the Facebook page set up for your Common Ground group as well as the page for your area. These are Secret pages, meaning no outsider can search for them or see what is written, and require us to invite and then accept you. It allows our members to speak in as private a forum as the internet allows.

Note: If you are using a different name on Facebook than with the ACN please let us know, if we don’t recognize the name we will not give you access

If you would like to be added to any of the following Common Ground groups and aren’t already, please provide the following details.

Name / Suburb / Child’s Gender / Child’s Year of Birth / Your email / Groups You wish to Join / Do you also wish to be invited to the group’s Facebook Page? / Provide Name used on Facebook

For Fathers to connect to Fathers of an ASD Child group, please provide contact details if not already primary de-tails.

Father’s Name, Father’s email

FURTHER ISSUES / CONDITIONS FAMILIES OF A CHILD WITH AN ASD: PLUS ADD/ADHD PLUS ANXIETY ISSUES PLUS CHROMOSOME ISSUES PLUS VERBAL DYSPREXIA FAMILIES WITH NON VERBAL ASD CHILDREN

AGE/GENDER FAMILIES WITH : ASD CHILD UNDER 7 PRIMARY SCHOOL AGED ASD KIDS YOUNG DAUGHTER ON THE SPECTRUM TEENAGERS WITH AN ASD TEENAGE DAUGHTERS WITH AN ASD TWINS ON THE SPECTRUM MORE THAN ONE CHILD ON THE SPECTRUM ADULT CHILDREN WITH ASD ADULTS WITH AN ASD WOMEN WITH ASD FATHERS OF AN ASD CHILD

LANGUAGE/CULTURAL (These are not available on Facebook) ARABIC SPEAKING FAMILIES WITH ASD CHILD CANTONESE SPEAKING FAMILIES WITH ASD CHILD HINDI SPEAKING FAMILIES WITH ASD CHILD INDIGENOUS FAMILIES WITH AN ASD CHILD ITALIAN SPEAKING FAMILIES WITH ASD CHILD JAPANESE SPEAKING FAMILIES WITH ASD CHILD KOREAN SPEAKING FAMILIES WITH ASD CHILD MANDARIN SPEAKING FAMILIES WITH ASD CHILD SPANISH SPEAKING FAMILIES WITH ASD CHILD VIETNAMESE SPEAKING FAMILIES WITH ASD CHILD THAI SPEAKING FAMILIES WITH ASD CHILD

MORE HOME SCHOOLED CHILD WITH AN ASD SAME SEX FAMILIES WITH ASD CHILDREN TEACHERS WHO ARE PARENTS WITH ASD CHILD

If you would like to have a group which is not shown here, please suggest. The criteria is it must be for Autism. For example, a group for non ASD kids with ADHD is outside our criteria.

a ommunity of support for autism...autism ommunity network inc. [email protected]...

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