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Marymead Autism Centre is pleased to present this month’s newsletter to share updates on current events and activities for families of and individuals on the Autism Spectrum.
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Check our Events Calendar for Marymead Autism Centre and other community events.
Regular events coming up this month are:
Support Groups
Please note that there will be no support groups running in January.
Social Groups
Workshops
Access Days
Check the Community Activities page for other regular events such as:
- Boundless Buddies (every Monday, including school holidays)
- Board Games Sessions (Saturday 17 November, 3rd Saturday of the month)
- Early Intervention Playgroups (various locations, days and times).
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Borderline Personality Disorder: Support for Carers
GROUP
5 November, and 3 December (First Monday of the month), 5:30pm - 7:30pm
This is a support group for anyone who loves and or cares for a family member or friend who has been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or has BPD traits. At Carer's ACT, Beaurepaire Crescent Holt.
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SHFPACT: 'Nice to Meet Me'
PROGRAM
From Tuesday 6 November (5 sessions), 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Sexual Health and Family Planning's Nice to Meet Me, is a group-based education program for people with Asperger’s Syndrome aged 16 and over to improve the quality of their life and their intimate relationships. The program focuses on identifying your emotions and the emotions of others, recognising values with respect to love, friendship and sexuality, applying the concept of consent, discussing appropriate behaviours for private and public places, determining various aspects of sexual relations, improving communication skills. For more information please contact training@shfpact.org.au or phone 02 6247 3077.
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National Museum: Rome: City + Empire
EVENT
Wed 7 Nov (7:30 to 9 am), Tues 27 Nov (5 to 6:30 pm), Wed 12 Dec (7:30 to 9 am)
The National Museum is opening its doors early one day a month for visitors who prefer a quieter visitor experience to our wonderful new exhibition ROME: City and Empire. Visitors will enjoy reduced sensory stimuli and smaller crowds. Book Now or download the flyer to find out more about the quiet hours.
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Black Dog Institute: Depression and Resilience
PRESENTATION
Thursday 8 November, 9 to 10:30 am
Join us for a free morning tea and presentation by our special guest from the Black Dog Institute about building awareness and understanding. At Mantra On Northbourne, 84 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon. Everyone Welcome!
RSVP: Cecelia Tyler 0413 139 293. Download flyer.
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Ink Brush Art Therapy: Daring Way
WORKSHOP
Saturday 17 November from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Everyone is welcome to attend this one day Art Therapy workshop at the Ink Brush Art Therapy studio in Civic. We will be working our way through some of the principles / curriculum based on Brené Brown's book Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. The workshop is suitable for 16+ years old. Bookings are essential and participants will need to have read at least some of the book prior to attending the workshop. Fees are $385 per person including lunch. A concession discount of -10% is available for people with a health care card or student card.
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ASD Board Games
ACTIVITY
Saturday 17 November (last session for the year)
Like playing games, meeting friends and having fun? An awesome social activity for the family.The ASD games night is a fantastic evening of fun and games for people on the autism spectrum (13+) and their friends and families. The games night welcomes girls, boys, ladies and gentlemen. The ASD Games Night is held at the Downer Community Centre, Downer Shops from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm (our enthusiasm usually sees us playing well past 8.30 :-). Gold coin donation. Contact Bronwyn on 0434 565 159 or Deon on 0417 422 537. We can’t wait to see you there!
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Yellow Ladybugs at Questacon
EVENT
Sunday 25 November meet at 9:45 am for 10 am entry
With over 200 educational and interactive exhibits, Questacon seeks to make science fun for all Yellow Ladybugs including a spectacular science show! Cost is $13 for YLB (includes entry, cupcake and party bag) and $10.25 for carers (to be paid on the day, mention YLB. Companion Card holders will be granted entry upon presentation of card). RSVP by 18 November at info@yellowladybugs.com.au.
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Inclusive Social Program
ACTIVITY
Does your child have a disability, learning difficulties, struggles in a group or social environment? The Social Connectors, in partnership with the Queanbeyan Whites Junior Rugby Union Club, have developed an inclusive program specifically targeted at individuals who find following a group plan challenging, require extra sensory and communication support, thrive in highly structured and predictable situations and find thinking flexibly a challenge. For more information, contact Jonathon Oddy, Occupational Therapist, on 0450 762 974 or oddywj@gmail.com.
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No Limits Taekwon-Do
ACTIVITY
Max. class size of 8 means plenty of individual attention, less distraction and a supportive inclusive environment. Alternative means of communication, specialised equipment & videos utilised in class to assist with communication and learning. Experience teaching children with ASD, anti-bullying, self defense and personal safety skills, self-control, discipline, focus and listening skills motor skills, coordination, strength, fitness, confidence & self-esteem. FREE trial available. Download flyer.
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The Fuss Pot
OPPORTUNITY
Ken Ormston from The Fuss Pot would like to ask men on the autism spectrum who have an interest in working with wood and metal, to assemble his garden modules that he invented. Ken is a retired electrician and baker who in 2009 invented wood and metal garden modules (to hold pots). These modules are ideal for areas without much space, as they easily fit on apartment balconies. Anybody interested in helping Ken must know how to use a drop saw/hand mitre saw and hand router and the module components are provided. For more information email kenormston@bigpond.com or phone 0419 607 279.
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Positive Partnerships: Whole School Program
TRAINING
Register an expression of interest for your school to participate in the Positive Partnerships Whole School Professional Learning program. The program is designed to create whole school, sustainable change. It provides practical ways to strengthen partnerships between parents and school staff and promote improved learning outcomes for students on the autism spectrum. This free program provides a combination of face to face learning experiences and online learning activities, leading to the implementation of a school action plan. For information please see flyer or to register your interest, contact us.
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Menslink: Good Men Wanted
RECRUITMENT
Do you know a good man who you think would make a great Mentor to a young fella aged between 10 and 18? This person will be a normal bloke with a decent amount of life experience able to commit to catching with with his mentee for a couple of hours per fortnight over 2 years. More information and our online application.
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Go4Fun
ACTIVITY
Term 1 2019, Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:00 pm
Go4Fun® is a healthy lifestyle program for NSW children aged 7-13 years who are above a healthy weight, and their families. Programs run during the school term and are led by trained, qualified health professionals. Go4Fun will be run by Nathan and Colleen Burns in Queanbeyan at the Q-One Indoor Sports Centre. If your family is unavailable to attend the face-to-face program on a Thursday afternoon, there is an option to complete the Go4Fun Online program. Register online or call 1800 780 900 for more information.
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Emotion Managment for Children & Teens with ASD
WORKSHOP
Friday 15 March, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Through several decades of working with children and adolescents with ASD and their families and schools, Michelle Garnett and Tony Attwood have discovered, developed and evaluated emotion management strategies based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy that have proven to be effective in assisting children with ASD to learn about, and manage, their emotions from anxiety to love and affection. Register online or email events@mindsandhearts.net.
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National Guideline for ASD Diagnosis
INFORMATION
The Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC) has now released Australia's first National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders. The recommendations of the guideline are based on the best available scientific evidence and have been approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and had financial support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Register to download the guidelines and supporting documents from the Autism CRC's website.
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Marymead Autism Centre Library Books Return
LIBRARY
Have you borrowed books from our library? We are about to do a stock take for the new year. If you have books to be returned please drop them off at Marymead Reception, Corner Loch and Weston Streets, Yarralumla.
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Workways
EMPLOYMENT
Workways is a free not-for-profit Disability Employment Service Provider (DES). We specialise in supporting people with a disability, injury & health conditions (including mental health) to gain or maintain employment. Our Work Assist program helps an employee who may be at risk of losing their job because of their injury, disability or medical condition. For more information, download the flyer. If you have any queries please contact Workways Phillip on 02 6192 8400 or phillip@workways.com.au. |
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Transition Package for Year 6 Children
TRANSITIONS
Patricia Falcetta of Social Living Solutions is offering a Transition Package for families seeking support for their Year 6 child transitioning to high school in 2019. The transition from primary school to high school is daunting for all children however, if you have any special needs it can be scary and confusing. As a parent you will feel secure in the knowledge that your child will be well prepared for high school. You will feel confident in the knowledge that some of your child’s anxiety around the transition to high school will be relieved, therefore decreasing both your and your child’s levels of stress and anxiety. Let me take the worry and stress out of this transition. Both as a parent and a professional, I understand that this can be a very difficult time for you and your child; I am here to relieve the stress and make this a positive time and smooth transition for all involved.
At the end of our time together, your child will feel ready and able to start high school with a great toolkit enabling them to feel more confident and better prepared for this time of transition. For example, mastering the concept of managing and following a timetable, being organised and confident moving to different classes, and managing getting changed for sport at school.
What’s included in the package:
- 6 one on one in home sessions with your child
- 2 transition visits to the chosen high school
- 1 meeting with the Head of Learning Support at the high school
- Liaison with primary school and high school as required.
The cost of this package is $1,700. You can either pay up front, with 2 installments of $850 or 4 installments of $425. Please contact me for a free 30 minute confidential and obligation free chat, and I will answer any questions you may have. You can email me at patricia@sociallivingsolutions.com.au or call 0420 973 042.
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Marathon Health: Connected
OUTREACH
The Connected program at Marathon Health provides mental health and social and emotional well-being support to young (under 25 years) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families, that is both clinically appropriate and culturally responsive through access to a Mental Health Clinician and/or a Social and Emotional Well Being worker. Issues presenting may include anxiety, depression, social exclusion, family concerns, emotional distress, adjustment or trauma related symptoms, school refusal, alcohol and other drug issues, gender or gender questioning and sexual orientation. Other services include a person centred, solutions focused approach to care coordination, case management, social and emotional wellbeing support, advocacy, referrals and other needs as identified.
This is an outreach service, and clients will be seen in a location of their preference. All services are free; clients do not require a Mental Health Treatment Plan and are not capped at a number of sessions. For further information contact Lea Lees on 6180 2820 or email: connected@marathonhealth.com.au.
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Financial Literacy with Beyond Bank
TRAINING
Beyond Bank and they are offering free financial literacy sessions for people on the autism spectrum. This includes 2 x 45 minute sessions with topics such as the difference between a “need” and a “want”, different spending and saving habits, how a bank can help develop saving habits, interest payments on savings accounts and different types of savings accounts. Content can be tailored depending on your needs. If you are interested in participating, please contact us.
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Do you need mentoring or advocacy?
ADVOCACY
Paul Jordan, author of "How to start, carry on and end conversations: scripts for social situations for people on the Autism Spectrum", can provide mentoring and advocacy services for young people on the autism spectrum. Contact Paul on 0401 841 783 or paulj3434@gmail.com to find out more or view his YouTube video. Paul is a registered NDIS provider under Capacity Building for Increased Social and Community Participation, Life Transition planning including mentoring, peer support and individual skills development (09_006_0106_6_3).
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Want to advertise in next month's newsletter?
ADVERTISEMENTS
If you'd like us to place your service or event in next month's newsletter, please fill out our online form or email the details to autism@marymead.org.au by Monday 26 November.
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Donations
If you would like to donate to Marymead Autism Centre, please fill out the
Marymead Online Donation Form and type "Autism Centre" in the comments field.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Thank you :)
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If you are interested in opening an online savings account, please consider Beyond Bank. On your behalf and at no cost to you, every year Beyond Bank will donate a percentage of account holders’ annual average balances to the Marymead Autism Centre. Just nominate us as your chosen registered charity or community organisation when you open your account.
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