Autism Help Info

The Autism Help Info site has been created to provide user friendly, practical and readily accessible information on Autism Spectrum Disorders for all, including persons with ASD. It aims to increase awareness of ASD and provide practical strategies and resources for all those who teach, care for or provide therapy to children with ASD. Sections include Early Childhood, Education, Health, Community and Recreation and Employment Support.

From the What is autism spectrum disorder? page you can access an audio visual ‘Autism Training Program’, an interactive explanation ‘What is Autism’ and Frequently Asked Questions.

The Education Sections covers such areas as Behaviour Management, Social Interaction, Communication, Obsessions and Inflexibility, Sensory Issues and Developing Skills. Documents from the Education Sections are available for download and printing on the Printable Files page. These include Tip Sheets, Teacher Resources, Social Stories and a wide range of articles.

The Early Childhood Visual Aids page provides a range of printable clip art which could be used in story boards or picture schedules.

This site is the initiative of Gateways Support Services Inc and funded by the Department of Human Services, Victoria, Barwon-South Western Region. Although some of the services provided are specific to the region, most of the site is of a general nature and much of it is relevant to Fragile X Syndrome.

DEEWR

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations launched a new website on 3rd December.

An Even Start – National Tuition Program

An Even Start is an Australian Government initiative to assist students who are not making satisfactory progress in literacy and numeracy. It provides $700 worth (a minimum of 12 hours) of tuition in reading, writing or numeracy for eligible students and can cover school based or private, individual or group tuition.

Eligibility is based on the 2007 national minimum benchmarks in literacy (reading and writing) and numeracy in years 3, 5, and 7 has been extended to also include children who were formally exempt from the 2007 benchmark tests including those with special needs.

As yet it is unknown whether the program will continue and cover those who do not meet the benchmarks in future tests. Its effectiveness in meeting the needs of students who struggle with literacy and numeracy is being independently monitored

Me Too Resource Manual 

The Me Too Resource Manual (PDF) is a self help guide for parents of children with a disability in Queensland written from a parent’s perspective. This Manual has been created by the Developing Foundation Inc – a support group by families seeking appropriate treatment for a family member with a brain injury or a developmental disability.