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AAACT NEWS AND EVENTS - 8 June 2012
CONTENTS:
Note: click on the content item to jump straight to that section
3. Media Releases & ASD-related Articles
4. AAACT Support Groups and Meetings
5. Health & Wellbeing Activities
6. General Community Information
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SPECIAL NOTICES:
A huge thank you to all the volunteers who braved the awful weather conditions to help our fundraising efforts at the Raiders vs Tigers NRL game on Saturday 2nd June. The total amount raised is yet to be confirmed but we estimate it to be around $2,500!
Also, sincere thanks to Mike Duval-Stewart, Manager of the Messengers Program at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre, and Cathy Eiszele of Erindale Naturopathic Wellness, who spoke at the June Members Meeting.
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1. Special Events
HIGH SCHOOL REFUSAL SURVEY: This is the last week to participate in the High School Refusal Survey, and your input is important to us. To complete the survey online please click here. In addition to the survey, if you would like to talk to someone about re-engaging your child in educational faculties, please contact: Catholic Education Dept enquiries@cg.catholic.edu.au or 6234 5455 OR Student Services, ACT Disability Education studentservices@act.gov.au or 6205-9117 / 6207 2327
2012 BENDIGO HERO AWARD to be presented at the Autism Asperger ACT's Gala Dinner on Saturday 4th August 2012: The Wanniassa and Calwell Branches of the Bendigo Bank are once again sponsoring an award for a carer of a person with an ASD who has provided consistent care on an unpaid basis to someone with an ASD. The intent of the award is to acknowledge the contribution of the recipient to both their family and to the broader community (child’s school; Autism Association etc) of an unsung carer and to inform the public of contributions made by carers of people who have an ASD. The nominee, nominator and seconder must all be members in good standing with the ASD community. For more information, please see the document attached to this E-Bulletin, which includes the nomination form. Submissions must be lodged by COB Monday 2 July 2012 and forwarded by post to: Autism Asperger ACT - Bendigo Hero Award IN CONFIDENCE (PO Box 719, Mawson ACT 2607) or by email to robynb@autismaspergeract.com.au
SAVE THE DATE! Don't forget to save the date in your calendar for the AAACT Gala Dinner, Saturday 4th August 2012.
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2. Upcoming Workshops
EARLY DAYS WORKSHOPS Promoting development of young children on the autism spectrum: Early Days is a series of workshops for mothers, fathers, carers and families of young children (0-6 years) who are going through the assessment and diagnostic process or who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. These workshops are provided free of charge, funded by the federal government Helping Children with Autism initiative and delivered by local facilitators. Early Days Workshops provide up-to-date information about Autism as well as what it means for your child and family. You will learn practical strategies that you can use at home to make a difference to your child’s development. Workshops are held at Autism Asperger ACT, at Chifley in the ACT.
Understanding Behaviour | Saturday 16th June 2012, 9:30am-4:00pm | Please register one week before the workshop. For more information and to register, please visit our website www.autismaspergeract.com.au/content/early-days
Future dates for other Early Days workshops in the ACT are as follows: Saturday 11th August - Introductory Workshop | Saturday 15th September - Understanding Behaviour | Saturday 29th September - Introductory Workshop | Saturday 10th November - Encouraging Early Interactions.
POSITIVE PARTNERSHIPS Two Day Workshop and Information Sessions for Parents/Carers of School Aged Students on the Autism Spectrum: The Positive Partnerships initiatives have been developed and delivered by Partnerships between Education & the Autism Community (PEAC) and funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) through the Helping Children with Autism Package (HCWA). The workshop & information sessions will cover: the impact of autism on your child, both at school and home; how to develop effective parent, school & teacher partnerships; specific strategies on how to advocate for your child; and information about your local school system's processes. When: 28 June 9.00am - 4.30pm & 29 June 9.00am - 4.00pm | Where: The Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning, Fremantle Drive, Stirling | Cost: Free. Lunch provided | Registration opens 17th May & closes 26 June. Register early to avoid disappointment. Online registrations are preferred at www.positivepartnerships.com.au or if you are unable to access the online registration process, please contact Fiona or Julia on 6176 0514. There are approximately 10 places still available.
WHEN CARING GETS YOU DOWN: A Course for Parents of Children with an ASD. For many people, the caring journey can feel long, constant and exhausting, and sometimes they wonder how they will keep going. This four session course is being conducted in partnership with Autism Asperger ACT and will cover: understanding and managing the responsibilities of long term caring; exploring the complex interconnectedness between stress, grief, depression and the search for resilience; finding some balance for yourself and those around you and considering ways to move forward. Facilitator: Jenny Thompson has worked in the Canberra community for over 25 years as a psychologist, counsellor and trainer. She has a special interest in mental health, trauma and grief, and how families find resilience in the face of adversity. Dates: Tuesdays 12, 19, 26 June, 3 July | Time: 10.00am - 12 noon | Venue: The Bendigo Room, Chifley Health and Wellbeing Hub, MacLaurin Cres, Chifley | Cost: Free | To Register: 6207 3628 or CarerSkills@cit.edu.au | Note: There is a limit of 8 in the group, and 5 parents have already indicated keen interest in attending. If there is a large response we can negotiate another course in June or August, perhaps in the evening. Please contact us if you are interested.
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3. Media Releases & ASD-related Articles
Finding light in a dark place on path from loner to multimedia artist: Thomas Kuzma was determined to escape the fate of many adults with Asperger's syndrome: he would not be lonely. He would not hide out in his lair, immersed in his obsessions. He would not give up on society even if society, it seemed, had often wanted to give up on him. Read more
Less folic acid in pregnancy tied to autism: (Reuters Health) In a new study of California mothers, women whose children had autism recalled getting less folic acid through food and supplements early in their pregnancies than those whose kids didn't develop the disorder. Read more
Autism tale scores for Lette: Kathy Lette's latest book, The Boy Who Fell to Earth, is headed for the big screen. Read more
Walk to help boost autism awareness: Aimy Thorne and Valerie Newall are a mother-daughter duo from Orange on an 800km mission to raise awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Read more
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4. AAACT Support Groups and Meetings
Please contact Julia to book a place or for any further information on 6176 0514 (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday) or email juliab@autismaspergeract.com.au
Members Monthly Meeting
Next meeting: Wednesday 4th July, 7:30 to 10pm at the Bendigo Room, Chifley Health and Wellbeing Hub - Directions Link
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Partners Group
Next meeting: Thursday 21st June, 7:30 to 9 pm - Directions Link
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Jeanette Purkis Women's Group
Next meeting: Monday 2nd July, 7:30 to 9 pm - Link
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Asperger Specific Discussion Group
Next meeting: Thursday 14th June, 7:30 to 9 pm - Link
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Fathers/Grandfathers of children with ASD Group
The June meeting of the Fathers/Grandfathers group has been cancelled due to the Queen's Birthday Public Holiday. The next meeting will be Monday 9th July, 7:30 to 9 pm - Link
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Games Sessions
Next session: Sunday 17th June | Family session for children and siblings aged 3 to adolescent, and their parents/carers: 12 Noon to 1:30pm | Link to register
Important notice: The ADULTS games session in June is cancelled, as Steve Bittinger is presently in the UK. The next adult games session will be on Sunday 15 July 2012.
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5. Health & Wellbeing Activities
If you are not already involved in our ASD friendly health and recreation activities; we still have some opportunities to join in for the remainder of Term 2 ~Jan Jolly~
For Primary school aged children & Teens:
SKILLS AND FITNESS for Primary School Aged Kids | Venue: Sports Hall, CIT, Bruce Campus | Time: 4.00-4.45pm | Starts: Monday, 7th May (6 weeks) | Cost: $5 Per Session
AIKIDO Non-confrontational martial art | Venue: Deakin Scout Hall, LaTrobe Park, Cnr Gawler & Melbourne Sts | Time: Fridays, 3.45-4.30pm | Starts: 11th May | Cost: $95 Per Term (pro-rata if commencement is mid-term)
For Adults and Carers:
MENTORED GYM | Venue: YMCA, Chifley Health & Wellbeing Centre, Maclaurin Cres, Chifley | Time: 1.00 – 2.00pm | Starts: Wednesday 2nd May | Cost: $5 Per Session
For further information and registration NOW email janj@autismaspergeract.com.au or phone 02 6176 0514 (Thursday/ Friday) or 0439 378 426
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6. General Community Information
PERSONAL SAFETY/SELF DEFENCE COURSE for women & teenage girls: A day-long intensive program for all women. We teach how to set boundaries, shut down an escalating situation and basic physical responses that don't rely on strength. This course is about changing your mindset and approach to Personal Safety. When: Saturday 16 June 2012 | Time: 9.00am - 4.00pm | Location: Deakin Scout Hall, cnr Gawler Crescent, Melbourne Avenue, Deakin | Cost: $100 (BYO lunch; morning and afternoon tea provided) | Please give Louise a call on 0400 1577 32 or email louisewills@grapevine.com.au to book a place.
CERTIFICATE II in BUSINESS (BSB20107) A subsidised course for job seekers with disabilities: This comprehensive course provides participants with the essential skills to work in an office environment. All training is provided in a friendly, supportive classroom environment using the latest Microsoft Office 2010 software. Course hours suit parents with children in school. When: 13 June - 6 September 2012 | Wednesdays and Thursdays for 13 weeks | 10.00 am - 2.30 pm | Fee: $300.00 (eligibility applies - 50% concession and payment plans available. Fees waived in cases of hardship) | Jobseekers must live in the ACT and belong to one of the following target groups: person with a disability; mature aged worker over 40 years; Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; Holds a Certificate II level qualification or below; Youth at risk (17-24 years); Humanitarian refugee. Call today on 6253 0682 for enrolment details. We cater for a wide range of requirements and participants always leave our training centre having gained new knowledge, confidence and skills. Funding for this program has been contributed by the ACT Training and Education Directorate's Priority Support Program.
FREE COURSES for people with disabilities and their carers: Belconnen Community Service Inc. are hosting two free courses for people with disabilities and their carers. "Think of yourself" is a respite program focusing on relaxation and stretching for carers of people with a disability. "Gentle Exercise", running in conjunction with the respite stretch and relax program for carers, will engage higher needs clients in a gentle sport and exercise program specific to the individual needs of these clients. Both courses run simultaneously on Thursdays, beginning 21st June 2012, from 9am - 10am. They are held at Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court, Belconnen. For more information, call Gary Thompson at BCS on 6264 0232.
DISABILITY ACT 2012 CLIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY: Disability ACT is inviting participation in a Client Satisfaction Survey, from people with a disability who receive a service either directly from Disability ACT or by a Disability ACT funded provider, such as Autism Asperger ACT. The survey aims to hear the views on the quality of the service and assistance received by people who access funded supports within the ACT. The information provided in the survey will assist in the continuous improvement of services, building of relationships and better responses to the needs of the ACT community. The survey covers some key questions around service, staffing, planning and demographic information. This year the survey is asking about awareness of initiatives and view on strategic direction. This information will provide input into the focus for the next 12 months and will provide guidance to the promotion of initiatives in the ACT. The survey can be completed online, at www.dhcs.act.gov.au/disability_act and can also be accessed in a hard copy form (please contact Julia on 6176 0514). Completed surveys are to be returned to the Community Services Directorate by Friday 15 June 2012.
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