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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.

News

COVID-19

The changes due to the Australian Government's response to COVID-19 has altered the way services are being delivered. Marymead Autism Centre's support groups will still be available via Zoom and closed Facebook groups have been set up for group members to stay connected. Information and support are still available via email or phone. The Lego Builders Group also now has a closed Facebook group for children to upload their Lego creations.

For more information see:

NDIS

The NDIS has been making changes to support participants and providers during this time, see Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and support. Key changes include:
  • If a participant has a scheduled plan review, the NDIA will contact them by phone or email to undertake their review.  As part of this plan review process, a participant can discuss having a new plan in place for up to 24 months.
  • To ensure participant plans don’t end, on the day a plan is due to expire, it will be automatically be extended by 365 days. Previously these automatic plan extensions were for 28 days. 
  • Participants who have plans that expire soon, do not need to do anything to have their plans automatically extended by 365 days.
  • Participants will now be required to give 10 business days’ notice (up from two days) for a cancellation if they want to avoid paying the full fee for a cancelled service. Providers will also be able to claim 100 per cent of the agreed support price when a participant cancels a service at short notice (up from 90 per cent). 
And Support Coordination can now be claimed from Core supports! Three new support coordination items have been introduced to the support catalogue under Core Supports, Assistance with Daily Life. 
  • 01_790_0106_8_3 - Level 1: Support Connection
  • 01_791_0106_8_3 - Level 2: Coordination Of Supports
  • 01_794_0132_8_3 - Level 3: Specialist Support Coordination.

Ongoing Events

Check our Events Calendar for Marymead Autism Centre and other community events.
Regular events coming up this month are:

Support Groups Social Groups Workshops Access Days Community Activities are currently postponed. 

This Month's Events

Imagine More: Virtual Happy Hour for COVID-19

ONLINE SUPPORT

Every Wednesday, starting 1 April, 5:00 pm
This session will be co-facilitated by Jan Kruger and Michelle Stuckey. We will be there for you via an online platform called Zoom (see How to Join a Zoom Meeting). Get a drink of choice and jump online. On Wednesday 1st April we will focus on ideas of how employment with disability is moving to working from home and staying connected. We would love to hear how you have worked out new employment tasks that can be done from home for your family member with disability, how to partner with work, what next if work is not possible from home and how to keep socially connected. If you have any specific questions or resources you'd like to share, please email them to michelle@imaginemore.org.au prior to the session. REGISTER NOW!

Imagine More: Virtual Lunchtime Peer Support

ONLINE SUPPORT

Every Friday (except Good Friday), 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm 
This session will be co-facilitated by Sheree Henley and Jan Kruger via Zoom (see How to Join a Zoom Meeting). We will focus on sharing ideas from the group on how to engage and maintain your support staff in creative ways, talk about what people are doing to reduce the likelihood of infection, and find a new rhythm of life during these difficult times.

Some tips for engaging staff differently:
  • Provide some support virtually - set up a zoom call or facetime to plan a backyard fitness challenge for the family with your Personal Trainer.
  • Cook the same meal together while both online.
  • Do a music lesson or speech session via zoom.
  • Ask support staff to help with shopping.
  • Go for a bike ride with your PT.
If you have any specific questions or resources you'd like to share, please email them to sheree@imaginemore.org.au prior to the session. REGISTER NOW!

Imagine More: Virtual Afternoon Tea - Inclusive Ed.

WORKSHOP

Every Tuesday, 3:00 to 4:00 pm
This session will be co-facilitated by Erosha Bakmiwewa and Jan Kruger. We will be there for you via an online platform called Zoom (see How to Join a Zoom Meeting). During this difficult time of uncertainty and concern we want to offer this opportunity for you to come together to focus on how to strive for inclusive education when your child is being educated at home: sharing ideas about how to home-school; partner with schools; and supporting each other through this difficult time. If you have any specific questions or resources you'd like to share, please email them to Erosha at info@imaginemore.org.au prior to the session. REGISTER NOW! 

Kids Pantry: School Holiday Online Classes

ACTIVITY

Tuesday 14 April to Friday 24 April
Great news for all families who love to cook. Kids Pantry is still running our regular fun-filled school holiday programs... the only difference is that we will be online in your kitchen instead of ours. Check out the classed below and book today to secure your spot. Greatness waits for no one, so while you're home, make sure you still get everything you need. We're taking our offering online, letting you experience the world without having to leave the house. BOOK NOW!

Communities@Work: Creative Craft Challenge 

ACTIVITY

Register by Wednesday 15 April
Feeling stuck at home or looking for something to do? Join #CraftItCBR! Use your skills, your imagination, and materials you may already have at home to create a unique craft piece for this creative craft challenge, ready for exhibition at the Tuggeranong Community Centre (date TBA once the COVID-19 outbreak has passed). We’ll also regularly share some of the best craft pieces on our social media throughout the challenge duration. As you create your craft, don’t forget to share your completed item on social media with #CraftItCBR, and tag us! Share your completed item on social media with CraftItCBR, and tag Communities@Work, Tag and Share with your friends! Hold on to your craft item to exhibit at the Tuggeranong Community Centre (when we can set a date). Entry is free! FIND OUT MORE & REGISTER NOW! 

Relationships & the Autism Spectrum

WEBINAR

Saturday 18 April, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (AEST) 
This webinar is for autistic and neurodiverse adults, parents, educators, employers and health professionals. On completion of this webinar, a certificate will be provided with three (3) hours of personal development. In this webinar, Barb Cook and Yenn Purkis will explore the various types of relationships, what the expectations are, and how neurodiverse people can express their needs and understanding of how they experience connecting with other people. Some of the topics covered are the dynamics of friendships, romantic encounters, and expectations in intimate relationships, redefining what a healthy relationship is, safety, bullying, harassment and understanding the unique needs for satisfying companionship. 
BOOK NOW!

Sue Larkey: Free Online Learning

WEBINARS

Six Free Webinars are open now to help during these extraordinary times. Normally, our free course is open four times a year. Due to current circumstances, we have made available all our courses for the foreseeable future. We are also available for email support at any stage. If you are interested in doing our accredited courses, we are providing you with a discount, you can also invoice the school or register now & pay later. For organisations looking for a course for your staff to engage in from home during this strange period of time, we will also provide a further group discount for groups with 5+ members. Email Geoff to enrol or help at support@suelarkey.com.au

Parent Support During Paediatric Autism Diagnosis

STUDY

This research will provide insight to clinicians into how to better support parents at the time of diagnosis to achieve better outcomes for the child, particularly under a family-centred practice model. The project takes the form of a one-off anonymous questionnaire involving multiple choice, Likert scale and free-text responses. The study can be completed online. If you would like any more information about the study, please feel free to contact Cara Swann by email u3200448@uni.canberra.edu.au or phone 0412 775 228. Download participant information.

Middle Years Behaviour Support Project (MYBSP)

STUDY

The MYBSP is a national research project investigating effective ways of supporting middle years learners (aged 8-16 years) on the autism spectrum (ASD) and with complex needs who attend schools in rural, remote, Indigenous and alternative settings (including distance education and home education, Montessori and Steiner Schools, Autism specific schools, flexi schools, and any other schools offering alternate programs). Our team would like to invite specialists, educators and parents of learners on the autism spectrum, as well as the students themselves to Participate in the Survey. To find out more download the infographic, visit the Facebook page or contact the research team at mybsp-research@qut.edu.au, or you may contact the project leader, Beth Saggers at b.saggers@qut.edu.au or on 07 31389615.

First-Year University Students

STUDY

The purpose of this research is to help us to better understand the barriers and facilitators to transition to university for individuals on the autism spectrum in Australia. Alison is seeking participation from students on the autism spectrum, as well as family members of students on the autism spectrum, who have recently transitioned to university. The research will require participants to undertake an online survey which should take no more than 30 - 45 minutes to complete. If you want to check out the questions, view student survey preview and family survey preview. For further information please contact Dr Fiona Rillotta by email fiona.rillotta@flinders.edu.au or phone 08 8201 2018.

Future Events

AEIOU Foundation for Children with Autism

SERVICE

Opening in Canberra in early 2021
Canberra will become home to a world-class autism hub, with $3.5 million in capital funding from the renowned John James Foundation facilitating the delivery of early intervention for up to 40 children per year and capacity for research and training. The purpose-built AEIOU Garran Centre for Autism will be the first of its kind in Canberra and will be owned and operated by AEIOU Foundation, a leading provider of autism-specific early intervention in Australia. For more information contact communications@aeiou.org.au or phone 07 3320 7520 or EXPRESS INTEREST.

Services

BCS: Free Counselling

SERVICE

The Belconnen Community Service (BCS) free and confidential counselling service is now available online, via telephone or in-person. All ages welcome. This service will be offered by Leonie Bury and Renée Janssen-Gibson who are currently completing a Graduate Diploma in Counselling through the University of Canberra. They will work alongside you, at your pace, to explore issues of concern to you.

During this time Renée and Leonie will be supported via professional supervision.  Counselling can support you to cope with life’s challenges such as the recent bushfire crisis, relationship difficulties, grief, anxiety as well as life transitions such as adolescence, midlife or retirement. Counselling can help to reduce distress, improve wellbeing and create goals for change. Counselling also assists with problem-solving and developing inner resources to create a more meaningful life.

For more information or to make a booking, please contact BCS on 02 6264 0246 or email renee.janssen-gibson@bcsact.com.au.

Soul Anchorage: Support for Community Workers

SERVICE

Soul Anchorage would like to offer support to community workers and their family members during this time. If you or your children are experiencing anxiety or stressors related to the current social and economic impacts of the coronavirus, we are offering the following services online at significantly reduced rates. For individuals and families, services include counselling, hypnotherapy, NLP and Time Line Therapy®.  Free group hypnotherapy and relaxation sessions. We are offering 50-75% off standard sessions rate (assessed on individual circumstances - pretty much payment is what you can afford, and if that is 0, then that is ok. To enquire, contact info@soulanchorage.com.au, book a free de-stress call or to make an appointment. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.

Autism Advice

SERVICE

Paul Jordan, from Autism Advice, provides mentoring and advocacy services for young people on the autism spectrum. Paul uses his life experience, books, mindfulness, defusion and social stories in relating to individuals and is a registered NDIS provider. Contact Paul today

Want to advertise in next month's newsletter?

ADVERTISE

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.

Donations

If you would like to donate to the Marymead Autism Centre, please visit our Donations page.
If you are interested in opening a savings account, please consider Beyond Bank's Community Reward Account 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 if you choose us as your nominated organisation when you open your account.
PHONE   0455 276 107   EMAIL   autism@marymead.org.au
Acknowledgement of Traditional Ownership 
Marymead acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to the elders both past and present.
© 2020 Marymead Autism Centre
All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: Marymead Autism Centre does not endorse or recommend any particular products or services. The information provided in this newsletter is what we think may be useful to people on the autism spectrum and their families.

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