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This Week in Autism Community
S U N D A Y
1 7 A P R I L
2 0 1 1
I S S U E 2
Steve Drakoulis
Coordinator
Autism Community Network
0431 724 229
With school holidays
upon us, things are a little
quieter out there. I’ve
learnt from experience
that trying to run support
groups during this time is
not a great idea as many
families take the opportu-
nity to away for a break.
In the last week, I’ve had
two highlights. I spoke at length with a dad in my
area who is very keen to become involved in autism
support work. There are so few dads able to commit
to this due to the obvious demands of work, but Nik
is a guy who has given up his career to devote him-
self to his child’s welfare and to helping other par-
ents like him.
My other highlight has been attending this year’s
annual Aspect Awards night. What an great evening.
I attended the annual Aspect Awards night and had
the fortune to meet some of the people who are
doing wonderful things in our community. I was
lucky enough to have been nominated for an award
myself which was why I was able to be at such a
prestigious event. I took my mother along, as I
wanted to give her an understanding of what I do
and why it's so important to me.
The new Minister for Disabilities, Mr Andrew Con-
stance was there and if he maintains his enthusiasm
for supporting autism, we will be better looked after
than we have previously been. Aspect's Patron, John
Doyle, aka Rampaging Roy Slaven was in great form
as always but the highlight for me was meeting so
many of the people I have been dealing with but had
never met. There are many people at Aspect doing a
lot to help families and to improve services and
awareness in the community, and their efforts are
not always known as they should be.
I had the opportunity to sit down with a parent for a
one on one on Saturday at St.George Leagues and
they’re always a good opportunity to share a lot of
information. I’m looking forward to the nest groups
of support group meetings after the holidays
though, as they are designed to allow parents to talk
together and share experiences.
You’ll notice that the newsletter is starting to get a
little bit meatier, it’s my hope that it may evolve into
something useful and maybe even fun (time permit-
ting).
Steve
THIS WEEK IN autismcommunity.com.au
SERVICES / EVENTS / MAY /
FATHER’S & GRANDFATHERS EVENING
A great chance for the dads to meet up with other dads of kids on the spectrum— with food, drinks and guest speakers as well
SERVICES / MEDIA
I loaded interviews from ABC Radio’s Conversation Hour with Dr Tony Attwood and authors of the Australian Autism Handbook, Seana Smith and Benison O’Reilly
POSITIVE PARTNERSHIPS / CAMPBELLTOWN
With thanks to the KLFs from Campbelltown, I have added their Local Services Guide to the PP menu.
SERVICES / SCHOOLS / YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SCHOOL
The feedback parents provided at the St.George work-shop on how to develop a good relationship with your child’s school
SERVICES / DIET & FOOD ISSUES
I have added this page with a website recommended by a parent. I will start to add more info onto it in due course.
SERVICES / TEEN ON THE SPECTRUM
A new page, where I have just added a very good piece I’ve been sent on the challenges faced by Aspergers teens.
SERVICES / FATHERS
More info on support services for dads
SERVICES / SPORT &REC / TAE KWON DO
A new entry for Tae Kwon Do in the Hills district
STEVE’S BLOG
More updates
APPS
As I receive new information I post it onto my website so that parents in our support network (and in the wider community) may benefit from it. Some of the entries below refer to updates while others may be completely new pages I create as result of valuable info supplied by others or ideas brought forward by parents in our network.
POTTY TRAINER Mums, did you know that men have a social etiquette relat-ing to how we chose which urinal to use in a public toilet? This is a skills that comes almost instinctively for most guys, but may be an issue for our sons who have autism. There is a simple app called Potty Trainer Quiz by Less Than Noble, which tests you on which urinal in a line with other users you would choose to observe the ‘rules’ of urinal etiquette. Lots more links to sites for recommended apps on the APPS page.
P A G E 3 I S S U E 2
Good Ideas
If you aren’t a member of Carers Australia, I recommend to you that
you join. It’s completely free, and they provide you with a good range
of information and other benefits. And speaking of benefits, I will be
using my Carers Australia letter I received last week to take my kids to
a Hoyts movie these holidays, and pay just $1 for myself as carer.
Carers Australia http://www.carersnsw.asn.au/
Useful Product
One of the problems many of us face with shoes for our kids is when they
outgrow the smaller sizes where you can buy Velcro shoes. With thanks to
Clara, I have been told that you can purchase Velcro shoes right up to adult
sizes from Modern Shoes Warehouse, located at 267 Princes Hwy, directly
opposite St.George Leagues Club. It’s a big red building.
ENGAGING DADS We are increasingly seeing more services out there for the dads. Best of all, we are seeing more dads start to play an active role in providing support services for children on the spectrum. It’s the unfortunate reality that it’s hard to get many dads involved, due largely to the de-mands of work and career. Here are a few things out there now though that might help. Father’s & Grandfathers Evenings—run every couple of months through Aspect, they are a great chance for dads to engage with other dads with guest speakers, ample nibblies and drinks to add to the at-mosphere. Look out for the through my Father’s section on the website or the Events section both here on the site. Dad’s Social Network Group—a free social group which meets every few months. Hosted by chef Dimitri, the next meeting 0n 19 June will feature a Martial Arts demonstration. For more details see Father’s section on website. I am exploring at the moment Martial Arts classes for kids with autism, and there are a few services out there now. This could be an ideal activity to get dad and child involved in together. See Martial Arts section in Sports & Recreation section. George’s Fun Club—For dads (and mums) in the southern areas, on the last Saturday of each month we meet up for a social day, a chance for the kids to play together while the parents can chat in a relaxed atmosphere. I am looking at a bowling day for the northern areas.
2
Upcoming Support Groups
KOGARAH
MEETS EVERY SECOND FRIDAY
NEXT MEETING: Friday 29 April 10.00—noon
St.George Leagues Club
Princes’ Hwy Kogarah
In the café / restaurant
KOGARAH
MEETS EVERY SECOND SATURDAY
NEXT MEETING: Saturday 30 April 10.00—noon
St.George Leagues Club
Princes’ Hwy Kogarah
In the café / restaurant
BALGOWLAH
MEETS EVERY SECOND THURSDAY
NEXT MEETING: Thursday 28 April 7.30—9.30 pm
Club Totem
195 Condamine Street Balgowlah
upstairs, through the restaurant to the function room behind
the bar
Demonstration of OT equipment
Depending on numbers and interest, one of the parents
has offered to bring along and electronic ‘horse’ she
uses very successfully for her children, to show every-
one.
TERREY HILLS
MEETS EVERY SECOND SUNDAY
NEXT MEETING: Sunday 24 April 2.00—4.00 pm
Piemonte Cafe
287 Mona Vale Rd Terrey Hills
in the back near the children's play area.
Located at Hills Flower Market, near Bonds Nursery
No meetings during the school holidays.
PENSHURST
WILL MEET EVERY SECOND MONDAY
Starting Monday 2 May 10.30 am— 12.30 pm
The Pole Depot
23 St.Georges Rd Penshurst
Please contact Amal to register
9580 0688
.
PEAKHURST
MEETS EVERY SECOND FRIDAY
NEXT MEETING: Friday 22 April 10.00 am— noon
Georges River Life Care
23 Stanley St Peakhurst
If not already in this group must email Tonya to regis-
ter—GRLC has a waiting list for a number of ASD sup-
port groups running.
9580 0688
BANKSTOWN
MEETS FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH
NEXT MEETING: Thursday 5 May 10.00 am— noon
Bankstown Sports Club
8 Greenfield Parade Bankstown
In the café
BELMORE
MEETS FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH
Sunday 1 May 2.00 –4.00 pm
Canterbury Leagues Club
26 Bridge Rd Belmore
9580 0688
MORTDALE—GEORGE’S FUN CLUB
MEETS LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH NEXT MEETING: Saturday30 April 10.00 am— noon
All welcome—a chance for our kids to have a relaxed play in an enclosed, safe park.
Ruby Wing Reserve—Universal Street Mortdale
5
Thursday 21 April
10 am—Noon
Play Day in the Park
All welcome
Ruby Wing Reserve—Universal Street Mortdale
Monday 18 April from11.00 a.m.
SOCIAL DAY FOR TEENAGERS ON THE SPECTRUM
Bowling at Dee Why RSL
We’ll meet at the club for a game and then have lunch, giving our kids the chance to socialize to-
gether.
I’ve booked for 11 am under “Steve”. I will meet you near the pay counter.
Please email me if you haven’t yet and would like to come.
Turn up with your children and pay whatever the usual costs are for such things, we’ll play a game or
two and then we can have a leisurely lunch.
While this is a teenagers social day, you are welcome to join us no matter what your children’s ages.
School Holidays Get Togethers
POSITIVE PARTNERSHIPS
NOW ONLINE
The PP program under its current structure will be ending at the end of this year. In fact, the St.George workshop just held was the last one for the Sydney metro area. We are optimistic that there will be funding for the program to continue in some format next year, but we don’t yet know what. On the bright side, the program can now be undertaken online. I won’t pretend that it’s as good as being in a room with other parents sharing ideas, but the content of the program is all there. And there might be a few familiar faces among the parents in the interviews section.
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EVENTS
WEDNESDAY 11 MAY
ASPECT INFORMATION AND PAMPERING DAY CABRA VALE
TUESDAY 24 MAY
FATHER’S / GRANDFATHERS EVENING CAMPBELLTOWN CATHOLIC CLUB
TUESDAY 3 MAY WORKSHOP:
BEHAVIOURS THAT CHALLENGES US AT HOME SPEAKER: BRENDA SMITH MYLES
FOR FULL DETAILS OF THESE EVENTS PLEASE SEE RELEVANT MONTHS UNDER EVENTS ON WEBSITE
eg. SERVICES / EVENTS / APRIL
TUESDAY 3 MAY FATHER’S / GRANDFATHERS EVENING
CLUB BURWOOD
15 APRIL—3 MAY ART EXHIBITION:
SEEING THE SPECTRUM GLEBE
A little while back we established a number of groups based on similar situations families find themselves in. If you are interested in being added to any of these groups, just send me an email.
I heard during the week of two instances where parents in these groups have made contact with each other and have gotten together, with very nice results.
And of course this week, we are having a Teen-agers social day at Dee Why RSL Bowling.
TEENAGERS TEENAGE DAUGHTERS UNDER 7s MORE THAN ONE CHILD ANXIETY ADHD PRIMARY SCHOOL AGED (6-12) ADULTS DADS
SHARED
INTERESTS
GROUPS
PEAKHURST SUPPORT GROUP
GEORGES RIVER LIFE CARE
Our Peakhurst group meets every second Friday during school term and caters mainly for parents with younger children. If you are interested in coming along please contact Tonya at [email protected] or drop me an email.
10 TIPS TO HELP WITH SLEEP Obtained from the Sue Larkey website
By Sue Larkey One of the biggest challenges for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder is getting them to sleep. Research has found that two thirds of children with an ASD have sleep problems, fragmented sleep and early awakenings. So be aware than many of our students can fatigue by early afternoon and may benefit from some easier, more repetitive learning tasks in the afternoon. I used the power for Facebook to ask my over 2000 friends in the Autism community what worked for them to get their child to sleep. The stories, conversation, support, and were amazing. Here are their op Ten Tips for Sleep.
TOP 10 TIPS TO HELP WITH SLEEP From Sue Larkey's Facebook Friends 1. Melatonin 2. Teach to stay in bed even if not sleeping 3. Epsom Salts Bath 4. Be flexible 5. Keep bedroom door open 6. Accept lack of sleep can be related to anxiety levels so they may need time to pace etc 7. Check for food allergies par-ticularly gluten intolerance 8. TV in room with a timer on it so it turns off 9. Sleep on floor next to their bed (rather than them coming into your bed) 10. Exercise like maniacs. Wind them down early. No videos be-fore bed. Bath with lavender. Stories in softly lit room and cud-dling
Remember different strategies work for different kids and if one strategy doesn't work try another. PLEASE join me on Facebook for information and conversations in 2011. Search for Sue Larkey **** FaHCSIA Funding **** Families with FaHCSIA funding can now use part of their funds to purchase resources as "up to 35 per cent of a child's early in-tervention funding may be used to purchase resources, to a maximum of $2,100 per finan-cial year, or $4,200 in total". http://www.suelarkey.com/
P A G E 8
This mind map was recently sent to me
by a friend with Aspergers.
It presents an in-sight into the way
his own mind works.
