VICTORIAN EVENTS
- Are you after details of Professional Development Programs? click here
- Are you after details of Parent Education Programs? click here
- For a Summary of Events, in date order - click here
- For full details of Events, in date order - click here
- For details of Social Skills Programs - click here
- For details of Recreational Programs - click here
(click over each event to go to the details)
July 2008
28th July to 1 September: How Not To Lose My Cool - Anxiety Program
28th July to 1 September: Parenting with Confidence. How to parent your child with an ASD
August 2008
2nd August: ABA Workshop
4th & 5th August: The Verbal Behaviour Approach: Teaching Children with Autism
21st August: Success in the Classroom
26th August: Teaching Play skills workshop for Therapists, Parents and Professionals
September 2008
4th September: Working with Challenging Behaviours
16th September: Success in the Classroom
23rd September: Teaching Play skills workshop for Therapists, Parents and Professionals
November 2008
15th November : ABA Workshop
- Autism Victoria - Introducing Autism Spectrum Disorders - a two hour information session to assist parents of newly diagnosed children, held monthly during the day at Glen Iris, or other locations by arrangement. For further details, download pdf flyer here. Email counsellor@autismvictoria.org.au for bookings.
- Autism Behavioural Intervention Association - Parenting with Confidence - a six week parent education program held weekly in the evenings at Surrey Hills. Email info@abia.net.au for details and bookings.
- Northern Autism Parent Support Group The meeting times and special topics for this group that meeting on the first Friday of the month at 9:30 am at the Yooralla Specialist School, Glenroy. For details contact Thea Calzoni at Melbourne City Mission, phone 9385 3200 or email Helen Shanahan at shanahan1@fastmail.fm.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
- Western Autistic School - Autism Teaching Institute - competency based Diploma and Certificate training courses for teachers and a course for Teacher Aides.
- ACT-NOW - Autism Consultation and Training Program - Monash University - Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology. Details of the professional training calendar being supported by this team are posted progressively on their web site. You can search the site by region - metropolitan and rural - for details. This site also has a number of very useful tip sheets prepared by the ACT-NOW staff.
- Innovative Communication Programming - Ylana Bloom and Dolly Barghava have developed a range of online courses
*Providing positive behaviour support to manage challenging behaviour
*Using AAC (Visual Strategies) to develop emotions and problem solving
*Augmentative and alternative assessment of Intentional and symbolic communicators
*Participation Through Communication Guide For people who are pre – intentional (non verbal and high support needs)
*AAC intervention for intentional and symbolic communicators
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Making It Work is an intensive three-day training program specifically designed for Teachers, Childcare workers and Integration Aides working with school age and/or pre-school children with ASD.
Scroll down this section for details of Social Skills programs that are ongoing.
- A Sanctuary for those with Asperger Syndrome - facilitated by Anne Jackson.
- This is something different that may meet the needs of the older child and adolescent with Asperger Syndrome. Anne is a teacher with a particular interest in giftedness and Asperger Syndrome. She is offering a full day program over nine weeks for a small group of students with Asperger Syndrome, using science fiction as a springboard for a range of learning opportunities. Details are on the attached flier, or email Anne at AJxn@bigpond.com or phone 0402 300 784. The sessions will be held in Parkdale and the cost is $350 for the nine day program.
ActionPlay - Social Skills for pre-schoolers - Autism Action Pty Ltd.
A supportive social skills program for preschool children aged 3-6 years with higher functioning autism or Asperger. Sessions focus on developing social skills such as listening and talking to friends, play etiquette (taking turns, sharing, waiting) , how to be a good winner, playground strategies and identifying your feelings, and lots, lots more.... Come and join other kids and our Speechie, Robyn, in this exciting new program to help boost your child's self esteem. These session are held during every school term. Enrollments are now open and forms can be obtained by phoning the office on 9899 7816 or go to the website www.autismaction.com.au. Please contact the office for start dates, fee structure and assistance with funding.
- Autism Partnership Social Club for 9 - 11 year olds in Chadstone.
See the attached flier for full details.
- Boyz at da Stables Drama Group - Spring into Action
Weekly session in which boys aged 9-13 years can explore social interaction through drama and movement activities. This drama group is held in Flemington and begins Tuesday 15th July for the school term. Please contact Lee Frances on 9376 6396 or email leefrances@bigpond.com for further details.
- Creative STEPS - Speech Therapy, Educational & Psychological Services - Michelle Jimeno, Narelle Brilliant and Michelle Grace, with over 30-years of combined experience in ASD and Special Needs, offer programmes that cover topics such as Social Skills, Daily Living Skills, Emotions, Behaviour, and Anxiety Management for individuals across the spectrum and life span. Group programmes available in “Early Intervention,” “Art Therapy” and “Community Awareness & Access” according to the following age groups:
Toddlers & Parents Early Intervention Group, Prep to Yr 2, Yr 3 to Yr 4, Yr 5 to Yr 6, Yr 7 to Yr 8, Yr 9 to Yr 10, Yr 11 to Yr 12 and Adults
Families are encouraged to register their interest to ensure participants are matched closely to age and development. Their programmes are tailored and run by their Speech, Educational and Psychological Consultants. Full details are available on their website or email info@creativesteps.com.au for more information.
- Drama for Everyday Life Program
This program uses fun drama games and role plays to each social skills and self confidence and is suitable for students from 5 years to adults. Angelica Rose, B.A. (Drama) developed the program in 2002 specifically to assist students with autism spectrum disorders. Classes are run Tuesday-Saturday in Doncaster during school terms. Students can commence at any time with private sessions before moving into group work. Students have the opportunity to participate in regular Concert Afternoons and Holiday Programs. For more details contact Angelica on
0408 668 055 or info@voiceandmovement.com.au or visit the website at www.voiceandmovement.com.au
- GLADD Social Skills Groups - an ABA-based Social Skills Group
held on Friday afternoons in Mornington during term time. Places are
limited to children between the ages of 3 and 6 who have a diagnosis of
Autism Spectrum Disorder or Developmental Delay. Run by Kelly O'Brien and Jill Young - email gladdkids@hotmail.com or download a flier.
- Playdaze Social Skills Groups - Integrated Education & Communication. Playdaze involves ongoing individualised programs focusing on developing and generalising children's social skills based on previously mastered skills. Our goal is to provide direct teaching situations to practice development of social skills in small groups, using the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis. Playdaze curriculum and social groups are supervised by a Psychologist and are run by fun, friendly and trained ABA therapists who are there to support the needs of each child who takes part in the program. Children range in age from 3 to 8. Sessions run for 2 fun-packed hours. Sessions are run every Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at IEC, 182 Canterbury Road, Blackburn. For details ring Jennifer Paizis on 9893 5547 or 0438 159 439 or email jmp@abaservicesaustralia.com.au. Fees range from $50 per session, with an additional fee for an initial consultation.
- Parent-Child Dance and Play
- For children aged 1 to 6 years who have additional developmental needs, eg mobility, coordination, social or communication skills, which may include autism. Run by an Early Childhood Intervention teacher together with a Dance teacher who is an experienced Occupational Therapist. Based at Flemington. For details contact Anne Shute on (03) 9689 6441 or email ashute@vtown.com.au
- Spectrum Speech Pathology Social Skills Programs - school holidays - Ashwood and Pascoe Vale.
These popular programs are designed for children at the higher functioning end of the autism spectrum. Each program comprises four two hour sessions on consecutive days and are supervised by Christine Kendall and Gloria Staios, two highly regarded Speech Pathologists. Cost is $300 per program. Spectrum also runs Social Skills programs for small groups during term time. For details phone Ratna on 9886 9130 or email ratna@gmail.com with 'Social Skills Info' in the subject line.
Professional Development Programs
| Name of Program: | Autism Teaching Institute - Western Autistic School (RTO 21709) - delivering competency based training courses to provide teachers and teacher aides with the specialist skills needed to teach students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder effectively |
|---|---|
| Organised by: | Autism Teaching Institute, auspiced by the Western Autistic School |
| Dates: | Full year courses |
| Venue: | 98 Ascot Vale Road, Ascot Vale Melways 28 H11 |
| Time: | to be advised |
| Brief description: | The Vocational Graduate Certificate in Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (21687VIC) is a one year part time study course comprising four units. The Vocational Graduate Diploma of Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (21688VIC) is a two year part time study course comprising seven units. The Course in Autism Spectrum Disorders Support Work (40496SA) can be undertaken as an add on to the Certificate IV in Disability Studies or as a stand alone course. |
| Registration Details: | Full unit details, course requirements and an enrolment form are available online from the website for the Autism Teaching Institute |
| Cost: | Course fees apply and are fully tax deductible |
| Contact Details: | Director of Teacher Training - Mary Thomson Phone 03-9372 3647 |
| Name of Program: | Online Courses - Communication strategies & Positive Behaviour Supports |
|---|---|
| Organised by: | Innovative Communication Programming Pty Ltd |
| Dates: | Online courses |
| Time: | To suit the individual |
| Brief description: | See course details on the ICP website |
| Registration Details: | Full unit details, course requirements and an enrolment form are available online from the website |
| Cost: | $165 for enrollment in each course plus cost of recommended text |
| Contact Details: |
| Name of Program: | Making it Work: A Program for Teachers and Integration Aides Working with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders |
|---|---|
| Organised by: | Autism Behavioural Intervention Association |
| Venue: | ABIA 276 Canterbury Road SURREY HILLS |
| Brief description: | Making It Work is an intensive three-day training program specifically designed for Teachers, Childcare workers and Integration Aides working with school age and/or pre-school children with ASD. Topics covered include: » Theory of Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| Cost: | ABIA members - $370; Non-members - $450 (includes GST) |
| Contact Details: | For details of the next course contact Andrea Swan on 9830 0677 or email info@abia.net.au |
Other Events:
| Name of Event: | Introductory Applied Behaviour Analysis Workshop(ABA Therapy) |
|---|---|
| Name of Organising agency: | ABA Service Australia |
| Day & Date: | Four repeats (choose one to attend) 9th Feb, 17th May, 2nd Aug, 15th Nov, 2008 |
| Venue: | IEC - 182 Canterbury Road Blackburn South |
| Time: | 9am - 4.30pm |
| Brief description of the event: | Applied Behaviour Analysis and Discrete Trial Teaching Enabling Parents and Therapists To Begin Teaching Children through ABA Therapy. - Learn about children with Autism – their behavioural deficits and excesses. - Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) - Understand the components of Discrete Trial Teaching - Learn about prompts – the different types and how to use them when teaching - Learn how to introduce and teach a target item - Understand types of reinforcement and how to utilize rewards to change behaviour - Learn how to structure the child’s therapy sessions - Understand and perform discrete data collection - Learn about the generalisation and maintenance of skills - Learn how to perform task analyses - Videos, role plays and hands on demonstrations will facilitate your understanding. |
| Contact details of organiser: | Contact Vicky Saltis Workshop co-ordinator on 9893 5547 for an application form |
| Registration Details: | Register Online at www.abaservicesaustralia.com.au or call the IEC office on 03 9893 5547 |
| Cost: | $165 per person for early birds (one month before each workshop) or $180 thereafter. |
| Name of Event: | Parenting with Confidence. How to parent your child with an ASD |
|---|---|
| Name of Organising agency: | Autism Behavioural Intervention Association |
| Day & Date: | 28th July to 1 September |
| Venue: | ABIA, 276 Canterbury Rd, SURREY HILLS |
| Time: | 7 to 9pm |
| Brief description of the event: | This 6 week program specifically developed for parents of children with an ASD. The course is facilitated by a psychologist with extensive experience working with families and children with ASD. |
| Contact details of organiser: | Andrea Swan on 9830 0677 or email info@abia.net.au |
| Cost: | Members of the ABIA - $280 Non-members - $325 |
| Name of Event: | |
|---|---|
| Name of Organising agency: | Autism Behavioural Intervention Association |
| Day & Date: | 28th July to 1 September |
| Venue: | ABIA, 276 Canterbury Rd, SURREY HILLS |
| Time: | 4.30 to 6.30pm |
| Brief description of the event: | This 6 week program is run each term for children with High-function Autism or Asperger syndrome aged 9-12 years. This program includes 6 children session and 2 parent session. The program is based largely on Professor Tony Attwood's 'Exploring Feelings' program. Topics covered for children include - identifying signals in the body which show we are relaxed or anxious, identifying calming/relaxation activities. Parents sessions introduce parents to the content of the program so that strategies learned can be generalised to the home environment. The program is facilitated by a psychologist and a social worker, both with extensive experience in the ASD field. |
| Contact details of organiser: | Andrea Swan on 9830 0677 or email info@abia.net.au |
| Cost: | Members of the ABIA - $320 Non-members - $275 |
| Name of Event: | |
|---|---|
| Name of Organising agency: | Integrate Education and Communication |
| Day & Date: | 2nd August and 15th November |
| Venue: | 182 Canterbury Rd BLACKBURN VIC |
| Time: | Full Day |
| Brief description of the event: | Applied Behaviour Analysis and Discreet Trial Teaching for parent and therapists who would like to teach children through ABA Therapy. Learn about children with autism, behaviour deficits & excesses. Introduction to ABA Learn how to perform task analysis learn about prompts, different types and how to use them when teaching .. and much more |
| Contact and registration details of organiser: |
Val Stevenson 9893 5547 or email val@abaservicesaustralia.com.au |
| Cost: | $180.00 - includes morning/afternoon tea, lunch and handouts |
| Name of Event: | The Verbal Behaviour Approach: Teaching Children with Autism |
|---|---|
| Name of Organising agency: | Australian Centre for Autism Services |
| Day & Date: | Monday 4th & Tuesday 5th August |
| Venue: | The Centre IVANHOE |
| Time: | 9.00am to 4.30pm |
| Brief description of the event: | Mary Lynch Barbera, RN, MSN, BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the Lead Behavior Analyst for the Pennsylvania Verbal Behavior Project, studying the outcomes of Applied Behavior Analysis/Verbal Behavior in classrooms throughout the State of Pennsylvania, USA. Mary is an established researcher with several peer reviewed and co-authored publications. She has presented extensively at autism research forums. This 2 day workshop will enable participants to get started immediately using a Verbal Behavior Approach to teach children with autism and related disorders. |
| Contact and registration details of organiser: |
Go to: www.acasn.com.au or email Mary Gebert info@australiancentreforautismservices.com.au
|
| Cost: | Parent/Carer/Fulltime Students $350 Professionals $480 |
| Name of Event: | |
|---|---|
| Name of Organising agency: | Integrated Education and Communication |
| Day & Date: | 21st August and 16th September |
| Venue: | 182 Canterbury Rd BLACKBURN VIC |
| Time: | 9.15am to 4.00pm |
| Brief description of the event: | A workshop for Primary School Integration Aides and Teachers that will give them many practical strategies to utilize in the inclusive classroom when teaching children with Autism and development delays, gain understanding of task analysis in order to break complex skills down. This workshop will equip participants with an understanding of basic educational programming and program evaluation skills. |
| Contact and registration details of organiser: |
Val Stevenson 9893 5547 or email val@abaservicesaustralia.com.au |
| Cost: | $180.00 - includes morning/afternoon tea, lunch and handouts |
| Name of Event: | Teaching Play skills workshop for Therapists, Parents and Professionals |
|---|---|
| Name of Organising agency: | Integrated Education and Communication |
| Day & Date: | 26th August and 23rd September |
| Venue: | 182 Canterbury Rd BLACKBURN VIC |
| Time: | 9.00am to 1pm |
| Brief description of the event: | The workshop is regarded as invaluable to Primary School Aides, Teachers and Therapists who are working with children diagnosed with Autism and other Social development delays. it will assist an understanding into the child's behaviour through the ABC model, it will be interactive giving participants concrete methods of teaching practical social skills, including greeting, play, turn taking, social questions, transitioning with peers, sharing, imitation, reciprocal commenting, with peers and others...and much more |
| Contact and registration details of organiser: |
Val Stevenson 9893 5547 or email val@abaservicesaustralia.com.au |
| Cost: | $105.00 - includes morning tea and handouts |
| Name of Event: | |
|---|---|
| Name of Organising agency: | Integrated Education and Communication |
| Day & Date: | 4th September |
| Venue: | 182 Canterbury Rd BLACKBURN VIC |
| Time: | 9.00am to 4.30pm |
| Brief description of the event: | A workshop for parents, therapist & professionals who aim to understand & reduce challenging behaviour in children, learn how to manage & reduce challenging behaviour through reactive strategies, including token economics with response cost, stimulus control, time out,over correction, physical management, re-direction & others. understand the steps involved in the assessment of challenging behaviours, develop an understanding of the broader physiological & ecological issues contributing to the behaviour....and much more |
| Contact and registration details of organiser: |
Val Stevenson 9893 5547 or email val@abaservicesaustralia.com.au |
| Cost: | $180.00 - includes morning/afternoon tea, lunch and handouts |
Recreational Events
| Name of Event: | |
|---|---|
| Name of Organising agency: | Sunbury Community Health Centre |
| Day & Date: | Ongoing during 2008 |
| Venue: | Gisbourne South Swimming Centre (other locations can be arranged based on demand) |
| Time: | Various class times |
| Brief description of the event: | The KickStart Swimming Program offers swimming lessons for children with intellectual and sensory disabilities, including Autism. Features of the program include: Small class sizes (maximum 4 per class) , A swimming instructor who is responsive to the needs of the children, Regular opportunities for discussion between instructor and parents, Use of picture cues during lessons, Individual parent interview to discuss your child's needs prior to commencing the program. |
| Contact details of organiser: | Julie Landy on 9744 4455 or email kickstart@sunburychc.org.au |
| Cost: | $50 for a series of 10 lessons |
| Name of Event: | |
|---|---|
| Name of Organising agency: | Swim 4 All |
| Day & Date: | Weekends during the school term |
| Venue: | Weeronna Rd, Murrumbeena |
| Time: | Contact Natalie Clarke |
| Brief description of the event: | Private Classes are run by Austswim qualified teachers. They are half an hour in duration and are guided by the swimmers specific needs and the level criteria in the Swim 4 All program. Each lesson is followed by a half hour practice/play session supervised by the swimmers parent or carer. A Swim 4 All we believe free time for swimmers to practice the elements of their lesson that they enjoyed is a crucial part of their learning as well as an opportunity to socialised. |
| Contact details of organiser: | Natalie Clarke on 0411 131 641 or email natalieclarke@ozemail.com.au |
| Cost: | $30 per per term |
| Name of Event: | |
|---|---|
| Name of Organising agency: | St Kevin's College, Xavier College, Genazzano College and Loreto Manderville Hall |
| Day & Date: | 18th to 20th December 2008 |
| Venue: | Xavier College |
| Brief description of the event: | We plan to accommodate 22 boys and girls between the age of 5 to 15 who have intellectual and/or physical disabilities. These children will be in the care of Yr 11 and 12 students from St Kevin’s College, Xavier College, Genazzano College and Loreto Mandeville Hall for the duration of the camp. The camp is free and has been generosity sponsored by SONY Australia. Medical facilities of the highest standard will be available at the College. We will have registered nurses on duty each shift and doctors on call 24 hours a day. A great deal of preparation will ensure the medical needs of each child in our care will be attended. For further details click here. |
| Contact details of organiser: | Applications close on the 19th September. |