NSW Autism Advisor Program

Transcription

1 NSW Autism Advisor Program Call: or Website: Other Options for support South West Sydney Contents Support Groups Additional family support options Early Intervention Services Financial support Respite Playgroups Child Care Options Workshops Useful Resources Sibling support Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) does not in any way endorse or recommend these resources. We encourage parents and carers to conduct their own research before selecting an appropriate resource for their child.

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3 Support Groups A place to meet and talk with other families who have a child with Autism Autism Advisory Support Service Location: Liverpool Contact: Grace Call: info@aass.org.au Autism Community Network Location: South West Sydney Contact: Steve Call: Fathers Group Location: Minto Contact: Christina Shean Call: c.shean@mdtfc.org.au Life goes on Location: Minto Contact: Amanda Dallo Call: a.dallo@mdtfc.org.au Web: Vietnamese Support Group Bonnyrigg Location: Bonnyrigg Contact: Mrs Lam Thi Duyen Call: Families NSW Location: Cabramatta Phone: or sue.simonian@det.nsw. edu.au

4 Family Support Brighter Futures A program that will support your family if you have complex needs. They will help you find services and supports Call: The Benevolent Society on (Bankstown, Liverpool, Fairfield) or Campbelltown Family Support Service on Transcultural Mental Health Centre Provides support and information to carers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities who look after a family member or friend with a mental health problem, including autism Phone: (02) Parentline Catholic Care Specialist Family Support A 24 hour counselling/ support line for parents Please call Catholic Care to discuss the services they can help you with. Call: Carers NSW Information services and support for families caring for someone with a disability. Call: Learning Links Case management Provide support, information and family intervention for families who have a child with a developmental disability or moderate to severe learning disability. Please call Learning Links to find out more information. Call: Anglicare Offer family support, counselling, case management and Early Intervention programs and support for children aged 0-5. website rg.au/ourservices/disability-andcarer-services Intensive Family Support Options Program A 12 week family support program for children who have a disability or challenging behaviour. Please call The Cerebral Palsy Alliance for more information. Call: Call: Early Start Diagnosis Support Service Information and support for families whose child has just been diagnosed with a disability or who are seeking a diagnosis Call: Learning Links on

5 Early Intervention There are some other support options families can access along with the Helping Children with Autism package. Below you will find these services listed, please call each service to find out more information (services vary from area to area) ADHC Therapy Services Children with Autism and an Intellectual Disability may be eligible for services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and psychology based services. Call: (Sydney South office) Department of Education Early Intervention Classes These classes are for children with a range of disabilities. Early intervention support classes consist of 5-8 children. Contact the Disability Programs Consultant to see if there is a class in your area. Call: Website: nguagesupport/documents/e arlyintervention/services.php Building Blocks These classes are Autism specific. Early intervention classes consist of one 2 hour class per fortnight. It involves a group program for the child and a parent training session. Located at Campbelltown Call: or buildingblocks@autismspe ctrum.org.au Autism Behaviour Intervention (ABI) The footprints program is funded through ADHC. Eligible families can access a 40 hour early intervention program. Children must be under the age of 6 and not enrolled in school or another ABA program to access ABI. Call: or Medicare Please Medicare information Early intervention playgroups are run by Learning Links Mater Dei Macarthur Early Childhood Intervention Service (MECIS) Families are able to choose only one state funded early intervention option.

6 Financial Support ADHC NSW - Family Assistance Fund The Family Assistance Fund aims to increase family wellbeing and strengthen the capacity of families to provide ongoing care for a child or young person with a disability in their home. Small amounts of discretionary funding are provided to families to help them address needs that cannot be met through the standard range of services, are not available from other funding sources, or would otherwise be unaffordable. Unlike the recent Commonwealth Government s annual Child Disability Payment, Family Assistance Funding is not a grant or entitlement. Web: SpecificLink: Phone: ADHC s Sydney office on Carer's Allowance This is administered by Centrelink and assists Carers looking after a child or an adult with a severe disability and/or medical condition which requires much additional attention Autism included. Web: (Search for carer s allowance) Specific Link: Phone: Centrelink s Disability, Sickness and Carer s Line on Carer s Payment Carer's Payment is income and assets tested, similar to a full pension and difficult to qualify for. This factsheet provides a summary of the qualifications, payment rates and income/assets test for Disability Support Pension, Sickness Allowance, Carer Payment, Carer Allowance and Mobility Allowance. Web: (Search for carer s payment) SpecificLink: Phone: Centrelink s Disability, Sickness and Carer s Line on Health Care Card The Health Care Card may entitle the holder to significant discounts on visits to the doctor (bulk billing) / filling scripts at the pharmacy and entertainment venues (e.g. Easter Show, Sea World). Web: (Search for health care card) Specific Link: Phone: Centrelink s Disability, Sickness and Carer s Line on

7 Medicare Safety Net Web: (And search for safety net) Specific Link: Phone: Medicare on Medical Expenses Tax Rebate Taxpayers may claim a 20% rebate on their medical expenses over the first $1,500. Web: (And search for Medical Expenses Tax Rebate) Specific Link: Phone: ATO on

8 Respite Emergency Respite Respite options (the amount of respite offered varies) Area Specific respite Commonwealth Carer Respite Flexible Respite Aging, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) In-home Childcare services Catholic Care Flexible Respite Sunnyfield Independence Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres will put you in contact with your local service (only shortterm / emergency service). They can also give you information regarding other services you may be eligible for. Call: th.gov.au/ Apply to ADHC to access flexible respite services that include in and out of home care, group and individual programs, day and over night stays and holiday and after school care. Please note this is not emergency respite. Call: NSW In-home care offers child care in the child's home by an approved carer. It is targeted to families who have no existing access to childcare services. Call: om.au The aim of the service is to give primary carers a break from their caring role as well as providing supported recreation and leisure options to the child or young person with a disability. Locations covered: Bankstown, Liverpool, Campbelltown and Fairfield areas Call: To be eligible to apply for a respite package the person with the disability must be aged between 0 and 65 years, be living at home with their family / carer in the South West Sydney (Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly Local Government Area. Please contact Sunnyfield for information on current respite vacancies. Call:

9 Playgroups Helping Children with Autism playgroup PlayConnect playgroups can provide information on Autism specific playgroups in your area (run by Playconnect) Other playgroups Playgroups Australia can provide information on general playgroups in your area (not disability specific) MyTime is a playgroup for children with a variety of disabilities. There is a parent support group that runs alongside the playgroup. You can find out information about your local playgroup from the web link below Koorana supported playgroups are staffed by Early Childhood Educators and Family Workers. Playgroups are run during school term in Bankstown. Call: enquiries@koorana.org.au Little Links are playgroups run by Learning Links. They provide a safe place for children to play and offer a meeting place for parents, grandparents and carers. Call: mail@learninglinks.org.au

10 Multicultural Support Services Transcultural Mental Health Centre Provides support and information to carers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities who look after a family member or friend with a mental health problem, including autism Phone: (02) Please contact the Autism Advisors to access our range of translated resources. For a language interpreter call then ask them to call

11 Child Care Options Pre Schools Provide early education and care for children 3-6 yrs. Web: org.au/find-a-preschool Family Day Care Family day care is care and developmental activities provided for other people s children by a caregiver in their own home. Web: Long day care centres (also known as childcare centres) For children 0-5yrs, with qualified and other staff. Generally open for at least 8 hrs/day and for 48 weeks/ yr Web: Occasional care services Are provided at a centre on an hourly basis for short periods of time. They provide developmental activities for children aged 0-5yrs Web: Inclusion Support Funding Inclusion support funding is funding that is provided directly to all types of child care centres to support any children with additional needs (including those with an Autism Spectrum Disorder). It is not for a direct one to one worker, but is to increase the adult to child staff ratio to support all children with additional needs. You can ask the child care centre to arrange this. Specialist Child Care Options in Your Area KU Marcia Burgess Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre Miller Community Preschool and Early Childhood Intervention Service SDN Beranga Satellite centres will be throughout South West Sydney Koorana

12 Workshops J Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) offers a variety of workshops for parents/ carers and professionals focused on information about Autism Spectrum Disorders (click on the orange workshops tab to access the online calendar) Early Days workshops are free of charge for parents and carers to help them learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Positive Partnerships are workshops are free of charge for parents and carers who have school age children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). If you are unable to make a workshop you could access their online information through the training modules. Autism Internet Modules Free online learning modules covering topics such as assessment and identification of ASDs, recognizing and understanding behaviors and characteristics, and numerous evidence-based practices and interventions. All module content has been written by ASD experts from across the U.S. Sue Larkey offers workshops for parent/ carers and professionals focused on information about ASD, social skills, play, visuals, behaviour, anxiety and school/ preschool strategies Learning Links offer a variety of different workshops in Mt Pritchard that parents/ carers and professionals can attend. They list all the available workshops on their website. Please contact Learning Links directly to find out more information. Wollondilly Community Links run workshops focusing on challenging serious behaviours collaboratively. Please contac the service to find out more about their upcoming workshops.

13 Tony Attwood is running workshops throughout NSW in 2013 which have a focus on Asperger s Syndrome. To find out more about dates and prices please access his website. The following Helping Children with Autism panel providers offer workshops you may be able to pay for using your funding. Please look at their websites for more information. o Lizard Centre o RDI Family Connections o Aspire Early Intervention o Quirky Kids o Fabic

14 Are there any other useful resources? Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) Aspect is the state autism association and offers a number of services including family support programs, schools, intervention programs, adult programs and a diagnostic and assessment services. Aspect has also produced information booklets and manuals which are available on their website. Website Call: (1800 ASPECT) Autism Fact Sheets A variety of fact sheets on different topics from the National Autistic Society UK Companion Card This card is designed to promote the rights of people with a disability who require a companion to fully participate in events. The Companion Card is issued to residents of NSW with a significant and permanent disability who are unable to participate in most community based activities without significant assistance with mobility, communication, self care, planning and where the use of aids and other technologies does not meet those needs. The companion card is not issued to every person with a disability. Families are encouraged to read the eligibility criteria to see if they would like to apply. Website: Call: Online Book Stores (ASD specific book store) (disability specific books) Sensory Room Families can hire the Macarthur Disability Service sensory room, it is essential that you book for this facility. The Australian Autism Handbook A handbook written by two parents of children with Autism in Australia. Through the Maze Information and support handbook for parents and carers of children and young people with a disability in NSW (can be downloaded for free) Noah s Ark Toy Library Large selection of educational and therapeutic toys available for loan to members. Membership for children with additional need is $22 per year. The library is open at Liverpool Library, George Street, on Monday and Friday from 9.30am-1.00pm and on the 1 st and 3 rd Saturday of the month from 9.00am to 12.00pm. Call: (during library opening hours only) Useful Websites Southern Sydney Trusted Care Autism Community Network Autism Awareness Australia

15 Activities and Clubs Riding for the Disabled Riding for the disabled is available to people with a disability throughout NSW Website: Rainbow Club The rainbow club provides swimming lessons for people with a disability. Website: Kids Sports Program Smithfield For children with disabilities 6 18 and their siblings. Phone: RSAclub@bigpond.net.au Kids Sports Program Bankstown For children with disabilities 6 18 and their siblings. Phone: RSAclub@bigpond.net.au

16 School Options for South West Sydney Department of Education and Communities (DEC) Mainstream Public Schools, support classes and schools for specific purpose Website: Disability Services Consultant: Call: For South West Sydney Call: Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) Specialist schools and classes for children with autism Website: Call: Local base schools: Western Sydney School, Wetherill Park Call: Macarthur School, Cobbity Call: Catholic School System Offers mainstream schools with support as well as a limited number of special schools. State Coordinator Specific Learning Needs: Call: (main office) or (Diverse Learning Needs team) Website: Independent Schools Contact the Association of Independent Schools on (02) or Some local independent special schools include: Useful services Australian Association of Special Education (AASE) Support and advocacy for people with special educational needs to ensure provision and access to quality education services. Website: Special Learning Difficulties Association NSW (SPELD) SPELD NSW is a not-for-profit organisation who provide services and advice for children and adults with specific learning needs and those who teach them. Website: Call:

17 Sibling Support Siblings Camp Aspect organises Siblings Camps once a year in the October school holidays. The camps are held in Sydney and are a great opportunity for children to connect with one another and partake in fun activities o Contact Beth Del Rossio on , bdelrosario@autismspectrum.org.au or access their website Koorana Siblings Clubs Sibs Club is a recreational program for primary school aged children who have a brother or sister with a disability and/or developmental delay. o Contact Koorana on , enquiries@koorana.org.au or access their website The Junction Works The aim of the Sibling Support Program is to help siblings identify and use positive strategies for living with brothers or sisters who have a disability. The programs are located in Liverpool, Fairfield, Camden and Campbelltown. o Contact Jessica Winchester on , jessicaw@thejunctionworks.org or access their website Young Carers Program The young carer program supports young people who are helping a family member with any health issue. It is a 24 hour support number. o Call or access on their website Below are some websites where you can get some online support Young Carers Siblings Australia Livewire