AAACT E-Bulletin 20-12-11

AAACT NEWS AND EVENTS - 13 December 2011

The 2011 Carols by Candlelight is on Wednesday 14th December.   Where you will see that Autism Asperger ACT is the proud recipient of donations raised from this ACT Community event.   We urge members to print out the flyer and promote the event to family, friends and colleagues.  Thank you in advance for your help.  Plus:

Don't forget the Christmas Cards!!     www.autismaspergeract.com.au    available from the office:  or email fundraising@autismaspergeract.com.au

Please Note: The AAACT Office will be closed from noon Friday, 23rd December 2011 until 10am Tuesday 3rd January 2012.

Mental Health Carers Survey 2011-12  - including Autism and Asperger's (and you can enter PDD-NOS in the answer box)
If you care for someone with a mental disorder/illness then you are a mental health carer.  This survey forms part of an ongoing project to find out about the lives of mental health carers during the previous 12 months.  Your responses will form part of the Mental Health Carers Report 2011/12.

This survey is important. The findings will provide recent and relevant information that will assist in directing future funding into mental health services.
Let's not get into debating whether autism/ASD (including Asperger's Disorder/Syndrome and PDD-NOS) are mental disorders … just ask yourself, which part(s) of the body these disorders affect … or take a look at http://www.cheri.com.au/documents/Mental_health_issues_in_ASD_web.pdf ... and notice that the survey wants to know as it includes them in the options.
Please follow the link and complete the survey: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/569049/Mental-Health-Carers-Survey-2011-12?mid=5436

Two facilitated playgroups in the January holidays for parents and carers of young children with a disability or chronic medical condition. These groups are for parents and carers (including mums, dads, grandparents and the principal carer) with children aged 0-6years or 6-12 years. Siblings are very welcome.  There will be a range of free and structured play activities for children and their families/carers to have fun together.   These include sensory activities, music, gross and fine motor play activities and stories.

When: Mon 23/1, Tues 24/1, Wed 25/1. Mon 30/1, Tues 31/1, Wed 1/2.  Sat 4/2

Who:    0-6 years     Time:     10am—12pm
               6-12 years    Time:    1.30pm—3.30pm
You are welcome to register to come on one day or on all days.  My Time also gives parents the chance to socialise and share ideas with people in similar circumstances who can understand their children’s achievements and help with the challenges, and find out about available community support.

Where:   ACT PLAYGROUPS Castle Playroom, 41 Templeton Street COOK (off Ellis St)

For more information or to register for this group contact the facilitators:  Sue or Matthew at ACT Playgroups on 1800 171 882 or email playgroupsact@ixa.net.au

Research Project: Investigating into the experiences of adults with Asperger’s disorder and high functioning autism.  Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) are conducting a research project about the life experiences and support needs of people aged 18 years and over with high functioning autism and Asperger’s disorder. 

For further Information: Link           With your help, we can make a difference.  You can either fill out a questionnaire online, or in paper form, see below.   Questionnaire for adults with ASD Link               Questionnaire for parent/carers Link

Please note, the questionnaire will open as a PDF form that you can fill in and submit online.  You will need Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader to access and complete this form.  If you do not currently have either of these programs on your computer, click the link above and follow the prompts to download Adobe Reader free of charge. 

To request a paper copy of the questionnaire contact: Susanna Baldwin, Aspect Research Officer, on 02 8868 8510 or sbaldwin@autismspectrum.org.au    A reply-paid envelope will be included.

ACT, QBYN & SURROUNDS:  SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILIES SOCIAL GROUP FOR 2012 & BEYOND
Come and join us for some enjoyment and fun at the following monthly activities commencing January 2012. Some planned activities - Dinner Nights, Picnics, BBQ’s, Ten Pin Bowling, Parties, (some with fun themes), Day Trips, and Weekends Away & Community Events.
For Expressions of Interest phone:  Jenny Crotty on 6288 6304 or email: jcrotty@emailme.net.au

Support Groups for the next three weeks: For Full Details: Click here

Asperger Discussion Group (Open): Thursday, 12th January 2012 7:30 to 9pm

Family & Adults Games Sessions (Open): Sunday, 18th December Noon & 1:30 start times

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

Cool Kids Anxiety Program: The West Belconnen Child and Family Centre will be running a Cool Kids Anxiety Program for children aged between 9-12 years in the first term next year. The Cool Kids Anxiety Program aims to help parents and children to:  Learn about and understand their feelings of anxiety.  The Cool Kids program will provide parents and children with information and support to help them deal with and cope with anxiety.

Who: Children who experience anxiety aged between 9-12 years                Where: West Belconnen Child and Family Centre. Corner of Luke and Starke St. Kippax.

When: The program will be run weekly over 8 weeks commencing on Monday 13th February 2012 from 3:30-5:00pm  (Sessions will run on the 20/02, 27/02, 05/03, 12/03, 19/03, 26/03 and 02/04) There will be two parent information sessions run on Monday 13 February 2012 and Monday 5 March 2012 from 1:00-2:30pm

Cost: Participation is free.              Bookings: Ph 6205 2904

Advocacy for Inclusion is now seeking participants for our next Nutrition and Self Advocacy course.  What: Topics covered include: Healthy eating & exercise, Kitchen safety, Meal planning, Shopping & reading nutrition labels, Advocacy, Human rights, Speaking up for yourself, Setting goals, Local resources.

Who: People living in disability supported accommodation / group houses who are interested in learning more about eating well, making decisions and speaking up for themselves.

When: late January - mid March, day will depend on participant availability.  Course will be 2 hours per week for 8 weeks.    Where: TBA

Cost: Free. We ask that participants arrange their own transport to and from the course, and their own support worker if required - though we may be able to provide some assistance if necessary. Courses are supported by the ACT Government under the ACT Health Promotion Grants Program.

Contact: Libby on 6257 4005 or info@advocacyforinclusion.org.  Forms to register interest can be found on our website at http://www.advocacyforinclusion.org/

Woden Community Service is holding a FREE Community Christmas Day Lunch:

DATE: Sunday 25 December (Christmas Day)  TIME: 11:00am to 2:00pm

Where: Lyons Early Childhood School, Cnr Launceston Street and Tarraleagh Street LYONS

All welcome - Free Lunch provided, assistance with transport for people who live in the Woden, Weston area.  

For more information and RSVP by 19 December 2012 please contact: Tricia 6234 6860 or tricia.eldridge@wcs.org.au

Children's Horse and Farm Holiday Program at Ingelara, For children aged 6 and over or gather a group of friends.    Experience great fun on our Biodynamic farm, far away from computer screens. Connect with the magic of nature and animals.  One day programs from 12th to 23rd December.  Dates in January on enquiry.  The program includes: Horse care and handling skills, playing games with the horse, farm activities e.g. feeding pigs and chickens, basic yoga ,breath work and visualization to enhance creativity and relax mind and body, time in the tipi .   

Time: 10am - 12.00    or 1.30 - 3.30pm                Cost: $65.00 for private session or $50 for group.

Where: Ingelara Retreat Monaro Hwy Michelago. Farm overnight stays available by arrangement. 

Contact: Gini Eagle: ph   0431675561    spiritgenes@hotmail.com or www.ingelararetreat.com

Arthritis ACT workshop on ‘Living a Healthy Life with Long Term Conditions’ see flyer attached.

Job training for school leavers with a disability; 'Kick Start Your Career' is a full time course running from 23 January - 10 February 2012 (3 weeks).  It is an excellent option for school leavers with a disability who are interested in taking the next step in their career development.
Course content:  Prepare and write job applications and simple selection criteria.        Prepare for a job interview.        Use a computer including Microsoft Word and Excel 2010.        Practice touch-   typing.        Operate office equipment.        Work safely in the workplace.        Communicate effectively with others.
To request a copy of the course flyer, please contact Capital Careers before the 16 December or after 9 January 2011.
Information session:    Wednesday 18 January from 5.30 pm at our training centre in Belconnen.
Phone: 6253 0682     Email: info@capitalcareers.com.au
Capital Careers Pty Ltd, Level 3 Belconnen Churches Centre, Benjamin Way, BELCONNEN

Marymead invites Men to the parenting group BEING A DAD
When:     Five Thursday evenings from 2nd February to 1st March 2012                  Time: 6.00 to 9.00 pm each evening
Where:   Marymead Child and Family Centre, 255 Goyder St., Narrabundah
Cost:        $50.00 (concession $25) Includes dinner.  (Assistance with transport available on request.)
Bookings essential – Contact:  Terry Norman on 6162 5851

Marymead invites Men to the group INTRODUCTION TO ANGER MANAGEMENT
When:      Four Wednesday evenings from 18th January to 8th February 2012        Time:  6.00 to 9.00 pm each evening
Marymead Child and Family Centre, 255 Goyder St., Narrabundah
Cost $40.00 (concession $20) Includes dinner.   (Assistance with transport available on request)
Bookings essential – Contact:  Terry Norman on 6162 5851 (Funded by the Australian Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.)

Summer ART on FABRIC Course January 2012
When:       Every FRIDAY in January 2012 (6th, 13th, 20th & 27th January)   Time:        10:30am - 12:30pm
Where:     Australian Catholic University (223 Antill St, Watson, ACT) Room:  B11
Morning tea and lunch are provided free-of-charge.
Contact:   Robyn for further information and to book a place.     Mobile: 0418 714 835      Phone:  02 6284 5155     Email: robyn.keech@svdp-cg.org.au

Thank you for reading. 

Please note the preparation and compilation of this E-Bulletin is made possible through the support of Disability ACT

We try to keep the AAACT office open for the core hours of 9:30am to 2:30pm Monday to Friday; due to our staff levels this is not always possible. We recommend that members telephone first to avoid disappointment (ph 6176 0514).

Have you had any changes to your postal, mobile/home phone, work/home email address?  

Please email us with any alterations admin@autismaspergeract.com.au or update your membership details on the web.

Not a member of AAACT but would like to become one? It’s free to join.  Please visit www.autismaspergeract.com.au

                                                                                                                             Disclaimer

Autism Asperger ACT does not necessarily endorse the courses, workshops or the views and opinions expressed in this publication, nor does the association provide them as advice or take any responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the data within the articles. These articles are produced for information only. Autism Asperger ACT provides information on services for the information of members in order for the members to make their own informed choices. Autism Asperger ACT does not endorse any individual person or method of treatment.