Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)

Welcome to Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)

Seeking nominations for 2009 Aspect Recognition Awards – check for details below! Also....register now for the Carol Gray workshop on 29 May - seats are limited!

Current News & Events
Asia Pacific Autism Conference 2009 In August 2009, Autism Spectrum Australia is co-hosting the first Asia Pacific Autism Conference or APAC 09 with the Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders. APAC 09's theme is Connecting Today: Inspiring Tomorrow. The conference will bring people with autism spectrum disorders, families and carers, educators, researchers, service providers and practioners from across Australia, Asia and Pacific together for the first time. Early bird registration closes 30 May. For more information about the program and to view the list of confirmed speakers (both Australian and international) please click here to visit the website www.apac09.org. To view an information flyer on APAC 09 please click here.
May is Autism Month May is Autism Month in Australia and Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) has a number of events planned. Below you will find details relating to the Annual Recognition Awards (nominations close 1 May) and the Carol Gray workshop. For a full list of events planned for May - please click here. Stay tuned because in May Aspect will launch its new Community Service Announcement campaign - 'Imagine a lifetime with autism'. Also in May, Aspect will launch its highly awaited new website. If you want to get involved in rasing money for Aspect, particularly during May then please call 1800 AUTISM or 1800 288 476.
Trek Peru Challenge 2009 Imagine trekking in the spectacular Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru knowing that you have made a difference to the lives of families and children affected by an autism spectrum disorder (commonly known as autism). Take up the challenge for Aspect and you will be helping to fund vital services for children and adults with autism and their families.
Calling for nominations for 2009 Recognition Awards Aspect’s annual Recognition Awards honour the outstanding contributions and achievements of extraordinary people and organisations. There are seven award categories so consider nominating someone you know. Download the guidelines Download the nomination form
Carol Gray workshop Carol Gray is the inventor of Social Stories and she is coming to Sydney to present a one-day workshop on 29 May. Limited seats are available so please register now! Click here for more details including the registration form. Click here to register and pay online
Autism Advisor Program in NSW launched Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) has been appointed by the Department of Family, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) to establish and deliver the Autism Advisor Program in NSW over the next 3 years. This is the early intervention component of the federal government’s Helping Children with Autism package. The Autism Advisor Program will assist families and carers of children aged 0 to 6 years who are diagnosed with an ASD by linking them to the early intervention service provider panel and providing advice and information about community services that will meet the needs of the family. Autism Advisors will be the central liaison for early intervention funding packages. The information sheet provides an overview of the program offering, application process and eligibility requirements. The application and consent forms can be downloaded and returned to the Autism Advisor Program to register your child. Information sheet. Application form. Consent form. Autism Advisor Program Autism Spectrum Australia PO Box 361 Forestville NSW 2087 Fax: (02) 9975 1633 Email: autismadvisor@autismspectrum.org.au Ph: 1300 978 611
New early intervention funding for children with autism On 25 June 2008, the Federal Government announced initiatives targeting children aged 0-6 years diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. For details on their announcement please click on the following Department of Families, Housing, Community Service and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) information links. FaHCSIA information. FaHCSIA faq. For more information please call the FaHCSIA Helping Children with Autism Inquiry Line on 1800 289 177 To read a copy of the Autism Spectrum Australia response, please click here.
Seeking Adults with Asperger's (over 18) to particpate in an international study Aspect is participating in an international research study to develop a diagnostic scale for high functioning autism and Asperger's Disorder for adults. To assist with the study Aspect is seeking Australian adults with ASD over 18 to participate. Please click on this link for more information.
'AutismPro - an innovative online tool for parents' Autism Spectrum Australia now offers a comprehensive AutismPro Support Service to help parents and professionals use this online system for managing their own childrens’ intervention. With immediate access to AutismPro through the website www.autismpro.com.au, parents of children with autism can follow a step-by-step process to establish their own child’s plan based on AutismPro’s extensive objectives, activities, strategies and supports. As well as providing training and day-to-day assistance for AutismPro, the Support Service facilitates a workshop called ‘Effective intervention plans for children with autism: how to use the current research to develop and implement your child’s plan’. Click here to visit the AutismPro website for more information.
DVD and Manual - 'Building Foundations - autism: your child, your family' This 30-minute DVD and detailed manual is for families who have recently had a child diagnosed with autism. It features families and service providers talking about their experiences. It provides information about autism to families and the people who work with their children and shows some simple strategies parents can use to help their child. The information includes; 'what is autism?', 'after the diagnosis'. 'helping communication', 'play and social interaction' and 'managing behaviour'. The DVD is available in 7 languages. Click here for more information, to view the trailer and to order your copy.
Early Intervention Building Blocks program - Queanbeyan Feb '09 Parents and carers of children aged 0-6 with an autism spectrum disorder are invited to enrol in a two-day 'Building Links' workshop in Queanbeyan in February 2009. Please click on this link for more information including enrolment forms.
Educational Outreach Educational Outreach is a multi-disciplinary special education team providing a diverse range of consultancy, social skills programs, student workshops and school in-services to children in integrated mainstream placements. Educational Outreach provides ongoing consultancy support to children with an autism spectrum disorder who are enrolled in inclusive/mainstream educational settings within greater metropolitan Sydney, the Far North Coast, Mudgee and the South Coast. Collaborative consultancy support is also offered for students enrolled in Support Classes and in Schools for Special Purposes (SSPs). The philosophy of Educational Outreach is based on collaborative partnerships with parents, schools and other professionals. Collaborative specialised autism intervention services are provided on a subsidized, fee for service basis. Click here for more details
Educational Outreach Training Courses for 2009 Educational Outreach team is holding training workshops for parents, carers, special support personnel and other professionals which offer practcal, evidence based interventions and opportunities for problem solving and discussion For more information about the latest training courses please click here
Introducing a Social Club program for 8-18 year old Educational Outreach is delighted to announce that an innovative recreational Social Clubs program for 8 - 18yr olds has been made possible by DADHC Peer Support Network funding. For more information click on the links below. Youth Club - Flyer (pdf). Youth Club - Registration Form (pdf).
The ECS Factor 16 – 20 year olds with Asperger’s are invited to enrol now for ”The ECS Factor” (Empathy and Communication Skills) For more information click on the links below. ECS Factor - Flyer.
AGM - May 2008 On 28 May 2008 Autism Spectrum Ausytalia held its AGM at the State Library of NSW. The Guest speaker was Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO Governor of New South Wales. Click here for some photos from the AGM.
2nd Annual Creative Futures (2008) NSW Recognition Awards May 2008 was Autism Month, with a number of events staged including the 2nd NSW Recognition Awards which were held at the Maritime Museum on May 20th, 2008. The evening was combined with the 2008 art exhibition by adults with autism. Click here for some photos including the 2008 winners!
Autism Month (May 2008) in review May 2008 was Autism Month. Autism Spectrum Australia held a number of major events during the month including the Creative Futures Awards and the AGM (see separate links from the home page). There were a number of other events held throughout the month including the release of the Rampaging Roy Slaven (see details later on the home page) cocktail parties, a charity ball and an athletic cranival. Click here to view some of the photos.
Social Club for Young Adults The Social Club meets monthly and welcomes young adults (18 years and over) who have Asperger’s or similar communication difficulties. You are invited to come along and share experiences with other people who are keen to make new friends. A facilitator attends the meetings to help everyone get along and organise activities and outings. Click here to view the calendar for 2008 and to contact the facilitator.
'Someone to turn to...' seeks volunteer parents and carers The 'Someone to turn to…' Parent Support Network provides emotional and practical support for parents who, for example, have a child with a recent diagnosis of autism, and would like supportive contact with a volunteer parent who has had similar experiences. There are no fees involved. This service is seeking more volunteer mentors to meet the requests of many parents/carers who are asking for the kind of empathic help that 'Someone to turn to…' provides. They may be going through a new diagnosis or some other time of particular concern, and are possibly undergoing similar experiences to your own as a parent/carer. Click here to for more information on the program and to contact the coordinator.
Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders releases a National Call to Action The Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders welcomes the announcements of 3 October by both the Federal Government and the Opposition. The Advisory Board has released a National Call to Action which clearly outlines the issues facing people with an autism spectrum disorder, their families and the consequent impact on the community at large. Click here to visit the Advisory Board's website.
Where are they now? A preliminary study to evaluate the long-term outcomes for students with an autism spectrum disorder, graduating from the Aspect Satellite Class Program.Click here to read the summary of results.
University training in autism The university of Canberra offers: - Graduate certificate in inclusive education in autism - Master of inclusive education in autism - Graduate diploma in inclusive education in autism Click here for the latest information on University training courses in autism spectrum disorders.
Article on the early warning signs of autism spectrum disorders The Woman's Day recently interviewed Anthony Warren, Autism Spectrum Australia's Director, Young Children & Families about the early warning signs of autism spectrum disorders. Click here if you would like to read the full article.
'Special Feature - 'Asperger's syndrome - Telling it like it is' Girlfriend magazine recently featured an article on 20 year old Lizzy, which you can read here. 'While most girls my age have boyfriends, go out every weekend and can start a can start a conversation without even thinking about it, those things are like running a marathon for me. This is because I have Asperger's Syndrome, sometimes called a social disability. ...' Click here read the full article.
Buy a 'Rampaging Roy' and support Autism Spectrum Australia On 15 May 2008 our Patron John Doyle launched the Kangaroo Paw Anigozanthos 'Rampaging Roy Slaven. The company behind the plant, Ramm Botanicals, have generously agreed to donate fifty (50) cents from the wholesale sale of every plant sold in Australia to Autism Spectrum Australia. To learn more about this plant and Ramm Botanicals, click here
A new partnership with NSW TAFE A partnership between NSW TAFE and Aspect was launched by the Director-General of DET and Managing Director of TAFE, Michael Coutts-Trotter. One of the guests who spoke at the launch was a young man with Asperger’s Syndrome, David Gwilliam. Click here to read David's speech.

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)
Contact us | Copyright statement | Privacy statement | Site map
Building 1, Level 2, 14 Aquatic Drive, Frenchs Forest 2086
Ph: (02) 8977 8300 Fax: (02) 8977 8399 ABN 12 000 637 267

Download Location Details