This area is for people in South Australia
who have an interest in Autism Spectrum Disorders to let
others know about their sites, activities and events.
The aim is for this section to become an interactive
and dynamic resource for South Australians. If you would
like to add a link or advertise an event, please contact
Coordinator Spectrum Advisory Services at Autism SA
on 8379 6976.
Family support groups in Whyalla and Roxby Downs
Both are run by Child and Youth Health with funding specifically
for families of pre-schoolers. The support groups at Whyalla & Roxby
are not ASD specific but they are open to all families who have children
with special needs. Contact details for both groups are Trish Wales at
CYH phone 8645 4075.
- Whyalla support group meets every Wednesday during school term
from 12:45
– 2:45 pm at the Playgroup building on Loveday St
- The Roxby Downs support group meets Fridays during school term
10:00am
– 12:00pm at the Preschool, Richardson Place
Parents Assisting Kids with Autism (PAKA)
We are a group of parents who have come together with
the aim of supporting Autism SA and raising awareness of Autism Spectrum
Disorders (ASDs) and raising funds to enable Autism SA to provide
services for children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders
in metropolitan South Australia. Autism SA services over 3000 families
and provides support services, early development programs, respite,
diagnosis, advice and information to children, young people and adults
with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families. The aim of PAKA is
to support Autism SA in this service provision in several key ways:
- By building stronger relationships between
people with ASDs and their families and Autism SA. The autism
community in South Australia is diverse but shares a common purpose,
and PAKA aims to build on that purpose by creating awareness of
autism issues and supporting Autism SA in its work. We envision
PAKA as a part of Autism SA, in which parents and friends of the
Autism SA community work together towards this common purpose,
building reciprocal relationships along the way.
- By raising awareness of ASDs in the community. There is a lack of awareness of
ASDs in the general community. This lack of awareness has an impact on the funds available
for the provision of support services for people with ASDs. We anticipate that an increased
awareness of ASDs and issues faced by people with ASDs will result in an increase in financial
support to Autism SA.
- Supporting our children. Support services for our school aged children are minimal due to a
general lack of funding. In order to improve support services for these children we will
raise funds to enable the delivery of support services.
As there is a lack of social skills training available in Adelaide, it has been decided to
concentrate our fund raising efforts on raising funds for social development groups for children
with ASDs in the metropolitan area. The age group for participation in the social skills
development groups has been set at 8-15. Social skills training is essential to the development
of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, which is characterised by difficulties with
communication, relationships and understanding social norms. Children with autism are
often vulnerable to bullying, exploitation and abuse. Social skills groups teach children
self protective behaviours and provide a safe and supportive space for young people to
discuss these issues with their peers.
If you would like to be involved in PAKA, please contact Amanda Tulloch-Hoskins
on 0434 334 090 or Kylie Mangelsdorf on 8293 4407, or email
paka1@iprimus.com.au
The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) website
This website was launched as part of the
$190 million Helping Children with Autism package, aims to
benefit parents, carers and professionals with information,
online resources and interactive functions. The website will
include ‘impartial, evidence-based information about ASD and
early intervention treatments available to children with ASD’.
The website has been developed by the Raising Children Network,
a consortium of three organisations with a proven track record
in child development, research and information delivery. The
website will continue to be developed this year and will
incorporate feedback from families and autism organisations.
Please visit the Raising Children website at:
http://raisingchildren.net.au/children_with_autism/children_with_autism_landing.html for more information.
CLASS
Class is a non-government, not for profit organisation
that supports people with disabilities to become more involved in their
community. Please visit www.classinc.com.au
for more information.
Autism, ADHD and Learning Difficulties Website
This website is a helpful resource to help parents and
children who are impacted by Autism, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD) and Learning Disabilities. Please visit
http://www.autism-adhd-learning-disability.com.au for more information.
Novita Children's Services
This organisation provides therapy, equipment and home
support services to children and young people with disability, as well
as inclusion support to child care services in northern and western
country regions of South Australia.
Please visit
Novita for more information.
Canine Companions SA
Canine Companions aim is to provide suitably selected and
trained companion dogs for persons of all ages with special needs.
Contact: The Secretary, Gerry Allen on 8268 8843.
Cassandras: Support Group for Partners of
People with Asperger Syndrome
Providing support and information for partners,
friends and family members of adults with Asperger Syndrome.
Meetings held 1st Monday of every month, 7-9 pm
Eastwood Community Centre, 95 Glen Osmond Road, Eastwood SA 5063
**Please walk through the gate next to the right side of the building
– the door to our room is at the back
Donation of gold coin is appreciated to cover hire of venue, and tea and coffee.
Contact: Heike Haffer, PO Box 849, Mt. Barker SA 5251
Phone: 0431 039 136
Email: heikehaffer@hotmail.com
Autism Research Group
In 2004 Professor McKinnon and Dr Manya Angley established
the Autism Research Group at the University of South Australia. The Group is
currently involved in a range of autism-based projects that seek to apply
critical analysis to autism and its treatments.
Click here for the Uni SA Research Group
Autism Info Australia
Provides access to a monthly online publication produced
by a not-for-profit charity based in the Tweed region of New South Wales
for parents and carers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
The magazine is free of charge to anyone with an interest in autism.
Click here for more information.
ASPITECH
Aspitech offer a responsible way to buy a new or used
computer and manage your old surplus technology to achieve a better
environmental choice.
Click here for ASPITECH
Isabella's autism pages
Isabella was born in mid 1997 and was diagnosed with
autism at the age of 2. Her parents started this web page to help
other parents in similar circumstances, and to give recognition to
other people and organisations who have helped them help her. They
believe that autism is a disorder which can be overcome far
beyond the current perceptions of many professionals, and there is an
ever growing community out there which also reflects their views, and
proving it.
Click here for Isabella's website.
The Minister for Education has approved the release of the
Ministerial Advisory Committee: Students with Disabilities report
Dance Linx will be running dance classes for people with
and without a disability. The classes will be a great opportunity to have
fun, learn fabulous dance routines and get fit.
Classes will be taught by Bonnie Williams. Bonnie has
a BA in Dance Performance and is currently working with Restless Dance
Theatre. For more information, please
click here.
Developed by fourth year Uni SA Occupational Therapy students,
this booklet provides a list of organisations and sources of information that
can help with toilet training. Available in Austism SA Resource Centre.
Exploring the information needs and experiences of
caregivers of people with autism regarding complementary and alternative
medicines Brief report available in Austism SA Resource Centre.
A production by Daniel Larcombe and is packed with fun
songs, audience participation and music games. For more information,
please visit www.playfull.on.net
or click here to view a brochure of the production.
This organisation provides visual photographic teaching
supports for all toddlers and small children with Autism. For more
information you can send email to seeandspeak@optusnet.com.au
or visit their website at: www.seeandspeak.com.au.
