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.

Adelaide_Autism - South Australian parents on-line support group
http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/adelaide_autism
This is an on-line forum for South Australian parents with children having an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Parents are encouraged to share information on topics such as research, early interventions, biomedical, education, dietary needs, occupational, speech and behavioural therapies as well as their experiences. The overall theme is to promote better services and outcomes for all SA families. This group bridges two very interesting (general & biomed) parent support groups in Adelaide.

Family Support Group at Aldinga Beach
This group meets on the 1st Friday of the month from 10am at ‘The Family Room’ Cnr How and Quinliven Rds Aldinga Beach. Contact Sandy or Dawn at Centre Care on 8557 9050 for more details.

ASD Support Group in Nuriootpa
ASD Support Group is run by Carers Link Barrossa located at 2nd Ave Nuriootpa. This group meets on 1st Thursday of the month from 10am till 12. If you want to know more about this group contact Vicki Williamson on 8562 4000.

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 86454075.
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 10am – 12.00 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 82710982 or Caroline Hill on 82999138 or paka1@iprimus.com.au

Family Connections – (North)

An informal support group for parents/carers of children and adults who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder Meets: 1st Wednesday of each month 9.30am – 12pm Venue: Surrey Downs Community Centre, Zanoni Cres. Surrey Downs Contact: Creche bookings and further information contact Teresa Sandona at Tea Tree Gully Council on 8397 7278 or Ali Roach at Autism SA on 8462 0615

Evening Family Connections – (North)

An informal support group for parents/carers of children and adults who have Autism. Meets: 1st Monday evening of each month 7.15 – 9pm Venue: Sunnybrook Community Centre, Sunnybrook Drive Wynn Vale Contact: For further information contact Teresa Sandona Tea Tree Gully Council on 8397 7278 or Ali Roach at Autism SA on 8462 0615.

Family Connections – (Hills)

An informal support group for parents/carers of children and adults who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder Meets: 1st Tuesday of each month 10am – 12pm Venue: Mt Barker Library Room D44 Dumas St, Mt Barker Contact: Ali Roach Autism SA on 8462 0615

Family Connections - (South)

An informal support group for parents/carers of children and adults who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder Meets: 1st Monday of each month 10am -12pm Venue: Southern Primary Health Centre, 175 Bains Road Morphett Vale Contact: For further information contact Greg Healy Autism SA on 8462 0617

Autism/Asperger Family Support Group - (Northern Area)

This is a group for carers of people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. As well as enjoying the support and friendship of each other, they enjoy a variety of activities including guest speakers, outings and pamper day to name a few. Meets: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month 9.30am – 11.30am Venue: Craigmore YMCA, Yorketown Road Craigmore Contact: Chris Hill at Northern Carers Network on 8284 0388

Autism/Asperger Family Support Group – (Northern Area)

Come and join other parents and carers of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Drop in for a chat and coffee. Guest speaker every second month. Meets: Second Friday of each month 9.30am – 11.30am Venue: Craigmore YMCA, Yorketown Road Craigmore

Parents of Adolescents and Adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder – (Central)

The aim of this group is to give mutual support to parents, carers, and families in an informal, non threatening but sometimes frank forum. The evenings include informal socialising and discussion but the mood is relaxed and individuals may contribute or simply sit back and listen. Meets: Astor Hotel, 437 Pulteney Street, Adelaide, 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start. Drinks and meals available. Contact: Robyn Copeland on 8379 2117

Autism Support Group – (Western Area)

The aim of the group is to offer mutual support in a friendly environment. Meets: 1st Monday of the month at 7.30pm Venue: Garden Cottage, Bower Cottages. 200 Bower Road Semaphore Park Contact: Zoe Sandell on 8242 7010 or email ffoegzo@hotmail.com

A Team (Autism Spectrum Disorder) – (Central Yorke Peninsula)

A group for parents, carers, grandparents offering support, information, linking other carers and fun! Meets: Once a month on a Thursday – Lunch group – 12pm Venue: At various locations on the Central Yorke Peninsula. Contact: For further information please phone Joyce Adolph at Carers Link on 8821 2444.

Beyond the Square

The role of ‘Beyond the Square’ is to support parents and carers of females who have a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome. They meet on alternate months at various venues. For information: Barbara Green 8277 8570 – 0419 834 166 Barbara.Green@flinders.edu.au. Website: http://www.beyondthesquare.org.au

Grandparents Group

The aim of this group is to offer support to grandparents who have grandchildren with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Meet: It is run by grandparents and meets once a month on the 1st Wednesday of the month. Further info.: For more information contact John and Denise Langton on 8261 4979

Kaleidoscope

The group supports families and individuals who have been touched by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Meet: The first Wednesday of each month. Venue: Boston Hotel Port Lincoln at 1pm New members welcome Further info: Sonia Regan on 86833143 or Maryanne Stockham on 8683 0410

HF Autism/Aspergers Support Group

This group meets 1st Thursday of each month. Venue: Schild House, Nuriootpa from 10am – 12 noon. Morning tea is available and there a re guest speakers. However, the program may change at times. Further info.: Contact Vicki on 8562 4000

South East Support Group

This is for families in the South East of SA. If you would like contact with other families Please contact: Colleen Moore, Regional Coordinator of South East Carers on 8724 7188

A4: Autism & Asperger’s Advocacy Australia

A4 is a national group who wish to have a more direct involvement in raising the profile of autism. Membership is free and information will be distributed via email. If you would like to be kept informed of developments please email: convenor@a4org.au or membership@a4.org.au

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.

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 1 st 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, tea and coffee.
Contact: Heike Haffer, PO Box 849, Mt. Barker SA 5251
Phone: 0431 039 136 Email: heikehaffer@hotmail.com

Autism Research Group
http://www.unisa.edu.au/sansominstitute/research/autism.asp
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.

Autism Info Australia
www.autisminfo.org.au
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.

ASPITECH
www.aspitech.org.au

Isabella's autism pages
www.banoncom.com/isa/index.htm

Asperger syndrome Australian information centre
members.ozemail.com.au/~rbmitch/Asperger.htm

Agencies and Services in South Australia click here.

Autism Adventure
A website designed as a social interaction community for anyone involved with autism. At this site you will find personal stories, a forum and links to other sites
www.autismadventure.com

Beyond the Square
The fundamental role of 'Beyond the Square is the support of parents and carers of females who have a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome.
Website: http://www.beyondthesquare.org.au

The Early Intervention Program for children with autism (Flinders University)
http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/psyc/research/autism/about.php

Tiptoe Educational Products
www.tiptoeep.com.au

The Minister for Education has approved the release of the Ministerial Advisory Committee: Students with Disabilities report
“Quality Educational Practice for Students with Asperger syndrome”

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