MumsConnect monthly morning tea - ongoing

Who are we? Mums of kids with ASDs

What do we do? Talk about ourselves and our kids and other stuff. Share ideas, knowledge and experiences. Have fun.

Why? The aim of our group is to provide emotional and practical support to parents of kids with ASDs.

How do we do this? Through our blogspot, a bimonthly newsletter, email contact, a monthly morning tea and other events.

When do we meet? We meet on the fourth Saturday morning of the month excepting school holidays between 9.30 and 11.30.

Where do we meet? Power Neighbourhood House, 54 Power Ave. Ashwood (off Warrigal Rd between High St  & Batesford Rds). Melways map 60 H12

To find out more:

• come to a monthly morning tea
• check out our blogspot http://mumsconnect.blogspot.com/
• email MumsConnect.Ashwood@gmail.com or
• contact Margaret on 0407307265

Families Together Parent Support Group - ongoing

Families Together is a group of parent who have children with an Autism spectrum disorder.  The group meets once a month at the Shopfront (90 Station Street) in Ferntree Gully from 7:30 – 9 pm, on the first Monday of the month.  Evenings usually involve informal discussions or guest speakers from service providers in the community. 

The group is facilitated by Myriam Bejjani, psychologist from Illoura Early Intervention Centre.  New members are welcome!

If interested please email Myriam on: myriam.bejjani@knox.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9758 7991

Sue Larkey Presents Tony Attwood Events

The latest from Sue Larkey:

BOOK NOW FOR TONY ATTWOOD WORKSHOPS - TERM 1 2012

After overwhelming feedback from teachers that they wanted to hear Tony's strategies and advice EARLY in the school year, I have managed to secure dates in Term 1 and Term 2.

• Sydney - Wed 22 Feb 2012
• Orange - Fri 24 Feb 2012
• Melbourne - Thu 15 Mar 2012
• Canberra - Fri 16 Mar 2012
• Rockhampton - Fri 15 Jun 2012

The Link to these workshops is here

** WARNING - TONY's 2011 WORKSHOPS ALL SOLD OUT  ***
All Tony's 2011 workshops sold out, so please consider booking now to reserve a seat and you can pay closer to the date.

Please pass this onto any colleagues who may have a child with an ASD diagnosis in their class next year. Tony is always inspiring and practical for busy classroom teachers.

** AUDIO DOWNLOAD - Live Chat Sue Larkey interviews Anna Tullemans (45mins)
This interview is extremely relevant to this time of the school year with many ideas and strategies to make transition at the end of school successful.  If you missed the phone/web seminar with Anna Tullemans or want to listen to it again here is a link to the audio.  Note - you can download to your computer or ipod to listen in the future.

ENJOY
Sue
www.suelarkey.com

Secret Agent Society social skills program - ongoing

Raising a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be very rewarding, but it can also be extremely challenging. Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome often find it difficult to understand their own emotions and those of others, to express their feelings in appropriate ways and have trouble making friends. The Secret Agent Society (SAS) social skills program creates a fun, non-threatening environment in which children can learn the skills they need to become happy, well-adjusted and valued members of our society.

Click here to go to their website to find out more

Click here to read a Courier Mail newspaper article about the program

Voice & Movement Drama Program Term 1 2012

Voice and Movement Term 1, 2012 commences on Monday, 30 January 2012
(Please note: Two week break from Sunday 1st April until Sunday 15th April)
Conclude: Saturday, 21 April 2012
 
Please do not hesitate to contact us on 9890 0728, or via email , if you have any questions
 
Voice and Movement
34A Hamilton Street
Mont Albert Vic 3127
 
Tel   (03) 9890 0728
www.voiceandmovement.com.au

Irabina Siblings Support Camp April 2012

Irabina is very excited to inform you that we will be conducting a 3 day Siblings Support camp.  This camp is open to those primary school aged children who have a brother or sister who has Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Details:

• Location: Oasis Camp, 66 - 72 Monbulk Road, Mount Evelyn, Melway: Map 120 D3
• Date: Monday 2^nd April to Wednesday 4^th April (first week of school holidays before Easter).
• Cost: $190 per child, all costs included

Please contact Sarah or Aggie if you have any enquiries about the structure of the camp, or if you would like any information regarding the sibling’s program.

Sarah (sarahi@irabina.com) or Aggie (aggiec@irabina.com)

If you would like to enrol or express your interest in the camp please contact reception on 9720 1118, or click here to download the registration form

Outside the Square Psychology - 2012 Workshops

Kirsty Kerr, Principal Psychologist at Outside the Square Psychology is offering 9 workshops for 2012.  That's one per month between March and November 2012.

Workshops can also be run on site at kinders, schools, childcare centres, disability agencies or parents support groups for a private fee.  Extra workshops are scheduled whenever there is too much demand for a particular session.  If you miss one you’d really like to see, just email info@outsidethesquarepsychology.com.au to express interest in an extra date being offered.

Please click here to download the full list with all booking details

Organisational Skills for School - Thur 9 Feb 2012

LD Network is presenting a FREE 2 hour workshop on organisational skills and forging a partnership with your child's school.

Parent LD Education and Support Group  A support group for parents/carers of teenagers and young adults with learning disabilities, inc. dyslexia. 

What:  In this session Glyn will provide strategies on how to help your child organise for school – as well as tips on how to create a good working relationship with your child’s teachers – that will benefit all concerned.

Where:  Box Hill South Neighbourhood House, 47 Kitchener St, Box Hill South

When:  Thur 9th Feb 2012, 7 - 9 pm

Click here to download their flyer

Booking is essential and spaces are limited.

To book please email Deborah at info@ldnetwork.net.au with your name and contact details.

Victorian Autism Conference - 9 & 10 Aug 2012

The theme at VAC 2012 is ‘Knowledge, Understanding, Awareness – Across the Spectrum’ with the aim to increase knowledge, improve understanding and generate more awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The program includes speakers from Australia and overseas with world authorities on Autism Spectrum Disorder, covering topics right across the spectrum in 4 streams – Early Childhood, Primary School Years, Adolescence and Adulthood.

Keynote speakers include Tony Attwood, Carol Gray, Sue Larkey and Jonathan Petty and Family

Click here to read more

Social Interaction Skills Program - ongoing

SPLAT - Speech, Play, Language and Training Speech Pathology services are offering group based sessions for Pre-School (4yr old) and Primary school aged children

Who are the groups for?

Our group sessions are designed for young people with Language disorders,  PDDNOS, Asperger syndrome or High Functioning Autism  who experience difficulties with:

• Interacting with same age peers & developing friendships
• Planning, organization, shifting attention, self- monitoring, flexible thought and action (executive functions) 
• Playing games with others and following rules
• Becoming too rigid or coping with unstructured times
• Understanding and expressing emotions (awareness of self and others)
• Negotiating conflict and compromise

What is our main goal?

• To provide a long-term affordable social interaction program for children and families on a weekly basis in a familiar and comfortable environment (school classroom setting)

How?

The groups consist of informal activities, structured tasks and discussions with a main focus on cognitive, emotional and social skills. Role-plays and videoing are also used for rehearsal and to reinforce learning of targeted areas. Parents will receive resources for ongoing practice and to encourage generalisation into the home and school environments.   

When & where?

• Burwood East Primary School, cnr Highbury & Blackburn Rds
• Saturday mornings weekly at 9.30am, 10.30am and 11.30am 
• 50 minute duration

Cost:

$40 per session, or 8 week term $320  -  full payment due upon registration (each term)

FAHCSIA Funded program $400 per term (additional administrative cost)

Meg Dicker    Speech Pathologist        

Toni Grimes &  Debbie Johnston    Integration Aides

email: meg @ s-p-l-a-t.com.au   or call   0424 272 650

Aussie Hoops - ongoing

The essence of Aussie Hoops is FUN and uses a hands-on game approach to allow kids to experience the skills of basketball whilst playing a series of games.  Aussie Hoops embraces the concept of modified sport, where participants can enjoy themselves in fun activities without the pressures of full-scale competition. 
Aussie Hoops is for boys and girls of ALL abilities, aged between 5 and 12 years old.  It can be played all year round, indoors or outdoors and many of the activities don't even require a hoop! 

When:      Thursdays 5:05pm - 5:50pm 

Where:     Maroondah Indoor Sports Centre, 362-378 Canterbury Rd Ringwood (Opposite Cadburys) 
Cost:        $65 New enrolment (Includes Aussie Hoops Pack) 

For more information, contact

Beau Stokes 
Facility Manager 
Maroondah Indoor Sports Centre 
Ph:      03 9298 4487 
E:        bstokes@maroondah.vic.gov.au 
W:       www.maroondahleisure.com.au 

Early Intervention - Music at The Arts Centre - ongoing

The Victorian Arts Centre Digital Learning Hub is offering a 6 week course for young children with special needs.  

Making music is a great way to bring people together and develop new skills in a fun and interesting way. This new program for families who have a child, or children, with special needs will see participants creating and sharing music together. 

Held over six 45 minute sessions in small groups, the program is run by Registered Music Therapists and is tailored to suit the individual needs of the children, aged 3-5.

For more information or to register your interest phone (03) 9281 8194, or email tanya.mckenna@theartscentre.com.au 

Click here to download their flyer

Creative Moves for teens with Aspergers - ongoing

Moving from the inside out, for youth with Aspergers

Creative Moves promotes a new and exciting art form and provides special needs teenagers with an opportunity to be part of a new and innovative movement-based expressive arts group!  The Creative Moves program is open to youths experiencing mild Autism or Aspergers, through this specific Life/Art Process to bring back into their daily lives.  Creative Moves provides the potential to explore:

~ Self-awareness and self-image

~ Personal communication skills and relationships with peers

~ Creative ways to deal with life challenges

Classes are run during term time on Mondays

Class 1: 4:00 - 6:00 12yrs to 14yrs     Class 2: 6:30 - 8:30 15yrs to 17yrs

Monash Studio ~ for movement-based expressive arts  

Inquiries welcome, Tiana  (ISMETA   DTAA)

Mobile: 0421 045 438     

 www.monashstudio.com.au  

Studio One / 1 Forest Court Glen Waverley

info@monashstudio.com.au

Click here to download a flyer with more information and registration details.

Quirky Kids - 'The Best of Friends' - various dates

The Best of Friends ™ is an activity-based workshop that encourages children to make the most of their friendships by developing positive communication skills while recognising the difference between friends and "frenemies".

Click here to read a Fact Sheet about the program, or go to www.quirkykid.com.au

Our programmes draw on our micro-skills in working with children, combined with current research and practices in Australia, the USA and UK.

Mini Shooting Stars - ongoing

A FUN BASKETBALL TRAINING PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGED 3-6 

Mini Shooting Stars is a specially designed ‘All Inclusive’ Basketball Training Program for children aged 3-6.  This program provides a great introduction to the game of basketball in a non-competitive environment through modified games, as well as basketball terminologies and practical skills for the future. 

Do you have a child that is showing exceptional skills and would like to take it further? Or does your child have additional needs and would like to develop their balance, social and co-ordination skills?   We have our experienced team of coaches that have played at SEABL level. 

Venue: John Frost Stadium, corner of Eastfield Road & Bayswater Road, Croydon South 3136 

Cost: $10 an hour 

Session times: Saturday 4pm-5pm, or Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday: 9.30am-11.30am 

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact us at: minishootingstars@gmail.com Or Call: Sabina on 0400 086 614 

Riding the Waves - ongoing monthly parent group

Now in it's fourth year, psychologist Alison Brown is running an ongoing monthly forum for parents of gifted and highly able children, providing an opportunity for parents to meet, discuss shared experiences, and to focus on specific topics related to giftedness such as heightened intensity, perfectionism, under-achievement, and social and emotional issues.

Click here to download a flyer for the forums, outlining topics for each month, together with venue, time, cost and contact details.

A variety of topics are planned for the year, although conversations tend to branch out in many different directions each evening. The sharing of similar experiences, new strategies, and a sympathetic understanding are some of the things that are most valued by parents who attend. 

If you have any questions regarding the forum, or specific issues related to giftedness or individuals, please contact:

Alison Brown, Psychologist

Kids in Kooyong

Level 1, 479 Glenferrie Road

Kooyong, 3144

Phone: (03) 9822 0010

Mob: 0408 177982

www.psychologyandchildren.com.au