The Disability Information and Resource Centre

The Department of Families and Communities (DFC) has provided some one-off funding in 2011 to start a state-wide autism project (SWAP) to develop a service improvement framework for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Part of the one-off funding is allocated to undertake a “consumer and service provider survey by an independent contractor”.

The South Australian (SA) service improvement framework for ASD will be structured to reflect the key phases of the journey that an individual with ASD (and their family) will travel; diagnosis and assessment, early intervention, education, employment/day options, long-term care and care in advanced age. Mental health across the lifespan will also be addressed. Family support that encompasses adaptation to the diagnosis and at times of transition will also be a key component of the framework.

The intention of the framework is to drive improvements in services to achieve optimal outcomes for all South Australians with ASD through the provision of equitable, timely and effective services and support. The framework will also seek to reduce variations in support by outlining the services that all people with ASD should expect to receive from the Australian health and disability sectors, across the continuum of the condition.

The aims of the stakeholder consultation are:

1. To explore the experiences of key stakeholders with autism services within SA, and
2. To identify actual and perceived barriers and facilitators from the perspective of key stakeholders to the delivery of optimum services to people with ASD.

The stakeholder consultation is being conducted by Manya Angley Research and Consulting (MARAC), an organisation independent of Autism SA. Your responses will be anonymous and be treated confidentially.

If you prefer to communicate your views via the on-line survey, it may be accessed at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8PBXJ3D. Alternatively, if your preference is to participate in a semi-structured interview, which can be conducted by telephone, Skype or face-to face at your convenience, please contact: Manya Angley, Director of MARAC, to register your interest Ph: 0400 951 179 or email: manya@marac.com.au

It is anticipated that the survey or interview will take about half an hour.

Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA) will be holding their final thematic evening for the year on Thursday 20th October titled Brain, Behaviour & Development: the future looks bright!

Speakers will cover:

• Genetic causes of epilepsy in children: latest developments & future research
• Let’s talk about children’s communication, speech and language needs
• Autism research: progress and future directions
• Building the best brains: child brain development and action in schools

Time: 5pm – 7.30pm

Venue:

Union House (Level 4, Eclipse Room)
University of Adelaide (North Terrace campus)

RSVPs required by Friday 14 October

anne.jurisevic@adelaide.edu.au (email preferable)

(08) 8303 8222

Further Information.

The following Autism SA family workshops are coming up during August:

An Introduction to Asperger Syndrome for Families with a New Diagnosis (up to 13 years)

Monday 8 August 9:30am – 11:30am

An Introduction to Autism for Families with a New Diagnosis

Tuesday 16 August 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Further information on these and other Family Workshops is available by clicking here.

All sessions are held at 262 Marion Road, Netley and are $15 (including GST) per family, payable at the door.

Places are limited – to register, contact the Autism SA Info Line on 1300 288 476.

Wednesday 27 July 2011
9.30am to 4.30pm
Ether Conference Centre Lower Level
265 Little Bourke St
Melbourne

This is a one day workshop that will encourage practitioners to participate and share their experiences. The day will focus on how we can support those who experience intellectual disability, and or autism who exhibit challenging behaviour. The workshop will be introduced by Sharon Paley with a ‘humorous’ take on why people may choose to communicate how they feel by using a range of behaviours.

Full details.

“Pathways”: Autism SA State Conference will be held on 28 and 29 April 2011, during Autism Month, at the Adelaide Convention Centre, North Tce, Adelaide, SA.

As a professional or as a parent/guardian, finding your “pathway” to ensure effective support for people living with ASD can be difficult. A range of experts will come together at the conference to provide assistance and advice on your pathway through services and strategies.

Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas, Brenda Smith Myles Ph.D will be presenting as Key Note Speaker.

To view the provisional program visit www.autismsa.org.au.

Register you interest to attend by contacting Jessica on (08) 8462 0653 or jbostock@autismsa.org.au.

The Autism SA Recognition Awards Program is entering its sixth year, and nominations for the 2011 awards are now being accepted.

Autism SA is currently accepting nominations in the following categories:

• The Hillary Johnson Professional Achievement Award
• Exemplary Service Award
• Business Partnership Award
• Patronage Award
• Parent/Carer Award
• Individual Achievement Award (12 years and younger and 13 years and older)
• Autism Ambassador Award

Further information on these award categories can be found in the 2011 Autism SA Recognition Awards guideline available at www.autismsa.org.au. The awards will be presented in a presentation ceremony during Autism Month – April 2011. A date and venue will be confirmed closer to the event.

For more information contact David Palmer on (08) 8462 0652 or dpalmer@autismsa.org.au.

Nominations for the awards close on Tuesday 1 March 2011.

Verbal Behaviour Consultants will be holding several workshops entitled Intensive Introduction to Verbal Behaviour: Hands on teaching in the Natural Environment.

If you are a parent, teacher, professional or carer of a child with autism, downs syndrome, aspergers, ADHD, or other developmental delays and would like to master the skills needed to teach verbal behaviour, then this is for you!

Location: 112 Great South Road, Newmarket, Auckland
Date/Time: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th June 2010
Cost: TBA – Please e-mail for more information

Location: 250 Westminster St, Christchurch, New Zealand
Date/Time: 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th June 2010
Cost: TBA – Please email for more information

To book or obtain more information email Verbal Behaviour Consultants at workshops@verbal-behaviour-consultants.com or you can look at this flyer/booking form.

Verbal Behaviour Consultants also have  consultants available for consultations in Australia, New Zealand & Tasmania in the month of June. Typically they see clients for 1 or 2 days for each consultation, in as many environments as possible. Beforehand, using assessment tools & parent intake forms, they’ll gather as much information as possible. During the consultation they’ll teach your entire family how to effectively teach your child, and they follow this up with a thorough report. To arrange a free initial consult, please contact Verbal Behaviour Consultants at info@networkinterventions.com.

Melbourne indie rock act Rudely Interrupted, whose musicians share a range of intellectual and physical disabilities (blindness, deafness, autism and Down Syndrome) perform at Fowlers Live as part of The Adelaide Fringe on Friday 26th February.

On the night the band will perform tracks from their upcoming debut album “Tragedy of the Commons”, as well as screen ABC1’s hour long rockumentary that follows the band on an adventure of a lifetime from the pubs and clubs of Melbourne to the United Nations in New York, and beyond.

When

• Friday 26th February 2010
• Doors 7.00pm
• Screening 7.30pm
• Showtime 9.00pm

Where

Fowlers Live
68-70 North Terrace
Adelaide

Tickets

• $16 pre-sales
• $21 on the night
• Purchase here

For more information visit www.rudelyinterrupted.com

2009 Sunday Mail City-Bay Fun Run
Autism SA’s Team 580
‘
With only 3 weeks to go until this event, we hope that you can join our team today, in support of Autism SA’s ‘Team 580′.

580 is the number of individuals diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in the last financial year. 580 is the number we hope will go the distance at the 2009 Sunday Mail City-Bay Fun Run.

To register, please visit www.city-bay.org.au/ and select ‘Autism SA’ as your group name from the Group Name drop down menu and ‘Team 580′ from the Team Name drop down menu.

Entries close earlier this year so please register your interest as soon as possible if you wish to participate. Please contact David, Jessica or Karl on 8379 6976 should you require any further information in this regard, or email your interest to citytobay@autismsa.org.au

All Team 580 members will receive a free T-shirt and major discounts on other merchandise.

We hope to hear from you soon as we aim for 580 participants!

DATE: Sunday 20 September
TIME: 8am
WHERE: 12km run/walk from King William Road to Colley Reserve, Glenelg.
Free breakfast and massage after the fun run!

Autism SA
262 Marion Road, Netley
MARLESTON DC, South Australia 5033

Dress up for Halloween and have fun at the Parents Assisting Kids with Autism (PAKA) Halloween Party for
kids with autism and Asperger Syndrome, and their families.

Trick or treat your way around the hall with activities for the kids,
sausage sizzle and fun for the whole family.

$15 entry for kids, includes trick or treat

Adults free with accompanying child

All children must be accompanied by an adult

Where: 2B Chief St Hindmarsh

Saturday October 31st 1:30 – 4:00 pm

For more details contact Nadia on 0400 703 099 or email
paka1@iprimus.com.au