Autism Awareness Week 2006

Sunday May 14th to Saturday May 20th.

This special edition of the eSpectrum has details of the events occurring around Victoria before, during and just after the designated awareness week.  Each state and territory autism association is responsible for organising their local Awareness Week activities.  If you are an interstate reader, please contact your local association for details.

Details of Autism Awareness Week Events in Victoria that have been lodged with our office have been placed on the Autism Victoria website www.autismvictoria.org.au and sent out with the Autumn issue of our member magazine, The Spectrum.  If you are a member of Autism Victoria, this issue should arrive in your mailbox early in the second week of May.

and

presents

Puffing Billy Family Day

SUNDAY 21ST MAY – 11:30 am to 4:00 pm

Autism Victoria and our corporate partner, Lakeside Consultants Pty Ltd, are sponsoring this special event to conclude Autism Awareness Week 2006.  Puffing Billy is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Melbourne, and, of course, so many of our children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (and their siblings) love steam trains.

We have chartered our very own engine and carriages to take families from Belgrave Station to Lakeside - Emerald Lake Park.  There will be just over two hours for you to have a BYO picnic or BBQ lunch, take a walk, watch the trains, catch up with other families or play in the playground before taking the train back to Belgrave Station.  The train trip is about an hour each way (Puffing Billy moves quite slowly!).

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL

There are only 300 tickets available for this event, and it is essential to pre book with Autism Victoria as soon as possible.  There will be a small charge to help cover the administrative costs.  A booking form can be downloaded here, or you can contact the Autism Victoria office directly on 9885 0533 or office@autismvictoria.org.au.

Families, friends, grandparents, individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder are all welcome to join us for a great day out.  Even if it is cold and wet, the event will be on – we have reserved several covered picnic shelters at the Lakeside Emerald Lake Park.  Many of Puffing Billy’s carriages are open, so please dress warmly!  Most important, book early as this will be a popular event.

Other Autism Week Events around Victoria

Monday 8th May, 10:00 am to 12 noon, Mildura

Autism Spectrum Forum, featuring Mick Clark, President of the Autism Council of Australia, local professionals, family members and individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

ORGANISED BY:   Sunraysia Autism Spectrum Support Group, phone Jacinta on 5018 8245 for details.

Friday 12th May, Mildura

Autism - What’s New, presented by Professor Bruce Tonge and Dr Avril Brereton, Monash University Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology.

ORGANISED BY:   Sunraysia Autism Spectrum Support Group, phone Naomi on 5018 7900 for details.  (This event is already booked out.)

Saturday 13th May, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, Mildura

Sausage Sizzle and Park for Play.

ORGANISED BY:   Sunraysia Autism Spectrum Support Group, phone Jacinta on 5018 8245 for details.

Wednesday 10th May, 7:00 pm, South Morang

Finding a Different Kind of Normal – living with Autism/Aspergers – the perspective of two adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

ORGANISED BY:   City of Whittlesea and the Northern Metropolitan Autism Spectrum Disorder Network.  Phone Georgina on 9404 2767 or Carmen on 9217 2201.  No charge.

Wednesday 10th May, 7:15 pm, Mount Waverley

An Evening with Dr Richard Eisenmajer.  Topics to be discussed will include behaviour management and school issues, with a focus on Asperger Syndrome.

ORGANISED BY:   Asperger Syndrome Support Network.  Phone 9845 2766 (answering service), email assnvic@mssociety.com.au or dowload a form here.  A registration fee is payable.

Tuesday 16th May, 8:00 pm, Carrum Downs

Asperger Syndrome and Issues relating to Adolescence presented by Dr Richard Eisenmajer, Clinical Psychologist.

ORGANISED BY:   Southern Autism Spectrum Family Support Group, phone Cristina Isaac on 9795 0328 or email asperger_vic@yahoo.com.au.  A registration fee is payable.

Tuesday 16th May, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, Box Hill

Public Lecture – Toward an Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder, presented by Amanda Golding, Autism Victoria.

ORGANISED BY:   Box Hill Library.  Phone Christina Davidson - Box Hill Library on 9890 1002 to make a reservation.  No charge.

Tuesday 16th May & Thursday 18th May, Surrey Hills

A series of demonstrations, presentations and an open day session focusing on Applied Behaviour Analysis, or ABA.

ORGANISED BY:   Autism Behavioural Intervention Association – contact the ABIA on 9830 0677 or email info@abia.net.au for full details, or check their website at www.abia.net.au.  Reservations essential.

Thursday 18th May, Seymour

To celebrate Autism Awareness Week the Seymour Parents Support Group would like to extend an invitation to all Parents/Carers who have a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Teachers, Additional Assistants and interested members of our Community to come along to an Autism Luncheon at the Somerset Winery and Restaurant.  Special Guest Speaker will be Maggie Williams, Mansfield Autistic Centre Visiting Teacher.

ORGANISED BY:   Seymour Parents Support Group.  Please contact Debbie by Friday 12th May to make a booking on 0421 050 764 or debbie.ure@optusnet.com.au.

Friday 19th & Saturday 20th May, Ballarat

Through the Eyes of Autism Creative Arts Exhibition - paintings, drawings, craft work, sculptures, photography, poems, stories & music performances, with an evening presentation by Jeanette Purkis who will discuss living within the spectrum with a creative arts theme.  The Exhibition will be held at the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, Function Room, Camp Street entrance.

ORGANISED BY:         Ballarat Autism Network, contact Sandra Kramer at s.pettit@optusnet.com.au.   Friday Session from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, and Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Entry is free.

Other News and Information

Request for Sensory Garden Information

“I am a teacher in a special ed class within a mainstream school in South Australia and I am currently undertaking some research on sensory gardens and the benefits for children with autism (having a class predominantly with children with asd) so as to justify the conversion of our bleak courtyard area into a sensory delight that not only looks better but has a real benefit to our children.  If you have any thoughts, references or experiences in this area I would love to hear from you."  Carol Le Lant, Colonel Light Gardens Primary School, SA.  Mobile  0408 851 984 or the school (08) 8276 0523 or email carol.lelant@colgrdnsps.sa.edu.au.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Research in Victoria

Autism Victoria understands the importance of research into Autism Spectrum Disorders and, as such, has dedicated a section on their webpage on research conducted in Victoria.  You can access this section by clicking on the “Research” link on the left column of the Autism Victoria webpage.  Here, you will find information about the Autism Research Forum, where both students and researchers can present their research to others interested in autism research.  This forum is held annually and is chaired by Dr Cheryl Dissanayke of La Trobe University.  Check the webpage to see when the dates of the next forum are on.  You can also find information about the Autism Research Reference Group which convenes this forum.

The webpage also features research that is currently being undertaken in Victoria, which is featured in the “Current Projects” section of the webpage.  If you are a researcher and would like to submit a summary of your work to be displayed on the webpage, you can fill out the form located in this section.

Parents and families of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder who are interested in research can be involved by registering their details on the “Get Involved” section of the webpage.  Researchers, who are authenticated by Autism Victoria, will contact families who have registered their information on this register and request their participation in their research projects.  The importance of research cannot be underestimated, and any families who have individuals with autism should consider being a part of it.  Researchers who would like to access this register must fill out a form located in the “Autism Research Group” section, and send it to Josephine Barbaro at j.barbaro@latrobe.edu.au. 

Autism Podcast Information

For those familiar with this relatively new internet communication technique, and wishing to communicate with other parents, this podcast may be of interest.

“My name is Michael Boll and I am the host of a podcast (Internet Radio Show) about autism.  Each week we interview a parent, therapist, or teacher that works with someone with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  We strive to make the interview real, down to earth, and loaded with information that people can use.  More than anything, many parents have told me that they simply enjoy hearing stories from other people in a similar situation.

I would appreciate your help in promoting this show.  Any sort of mention, promotion, or link to the show would greatly help us to reach the many people out there helping kids on the spectrum.  You can listen to the show by heading to our website at www.autismpodcast.org.”

Flexible Funding Packages – Early Intervention

Here is some valuable information from the Autism Victoria Family Counsellor about a new funding package.

The Department of Human Services Victoria has made available for families of children eligible for early intervention a number of flexible funding packages up the value of $5000.  These packages are particularly targeted at children with complex needs, such a autism, and are called Early Childhood Intervention Services (ECIS) Flexible Funding Packages.  The funds provided can be for additional respite, private therapy services, aids and equipment, etc.  To be considered for a package, a child must be:

• eligible for Early Childhood Intervention Services (diagnosed disability, delays in two or more areas of development - aged under school entry age), and
• have a Family Service and Support plan to underpin the funding request (usually developed within an ECIS service by the child's key worker or family services coordinator - assistance with developing a plan can be provided if the child is eligible for, but not yet accessing a place in an Early Intervention service).

Paperwork must be completed showing what parents would use the funds for, with the services indicated reflecting family priorities identified in the Family Service and Support plan.  Completed applications take approximately one month to be considered, and then the family is informed of the outcome.  If successful, the funds are paid directly to the therapy or respite service provider, or equipment supplier.  Families or service providers should contact ECIS intake (through Specialist Children's Services) in their region to make enquiries.

News of the Glenroy Khaki Rebels Recreation Group

Sadly, the Glenroy Khaki Rebels group for children with Aspergers and High Functioning Autism closed in term one 2006 due to a lack of participants.

Karin Bashtannyk is working toward setting up a similar Recreation Skills Building group with another agency at a different location, hoping for start up in Term 3.  If you feel your child would enjoy participating in such a group please Register your Interest by contacting her via email at karin.bashtannyk@gmail.com including the age of your child who wishes to participate, your suburb and contact details.  Please don't leave mobile contact numbers.  She will get back to you when the specifics of the make up of the group, location and age of the children are established.  Please be patient!  Karin Bashtannyk, Community Educator and Advocate

About eSpectrum

eSpectrum is compiled and distributed by Autism Victoria Inc.  All information is included in good faith, and is current at time of release.  Any views expressed in eSpectrum are not necessarily those of Autism Victoria Inc, the State Council, Executive Committee or its member agencies.  The publication of a product or program in eSpectrum should not be taken as an endorsement of the service or the product(s).  Autism Victoria has included details of products and services for the information of readers in good faith.  Readers should take care to evaluate them for their suitability to their particular needs.  Queries and comments should be directed to Amanda Golding, Executive Officer, Autism Victoria at admin@autismvictoria.org.au.

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