Autism Advisory Adelaide | Disability service

Autism Advisory Adelaide

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23.01.2022 Spent the long weekend upskilling in the area of eating and feeding! The 4 day workshop covered a range of strategies and suggestions in regards to assisting children from 2-8 years across 2 main groups- picky eaters and problem feeders (spoiler- there is a big difference!). If any of our regular participants need assistance in this area, please let us know- we would love to help you gain a wider variety of foods at mealtimes.

23.01.2022 If you’ve met one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism. If you’ve worked in Education, or the Disability sector, or are a parent or friend of someone with Autism, you’ve likely heard this quote before. It is a lovely reminder of diversity, and it exists for a very good reason- to constantly challenge us on what we think we know. Often when we label someone with a disability, difficulty or condition, we bring our assumptions with us about what that label mea...ns or looks like. No one has bad intentions when doing this, it is just a natural human response to take mental shortcuts in an attempt to make the world more simple. We fill in the gaps with our 'best guesses'. The problem that arises when we do this is the impact is has on the person. We stop seeing their individuality, their preferences and how they are different, which can stop them from getting the right support. These supports may be just not be a good fit, or perhaps these supports may be beyond what a person needs and prefers. I challenge you to think of 2 people you know who don’t have a disability. Any 2 random people. Think about their similarities, and their differences. Think about their likes, dislikes and activity preferences. I bet they are very different to one another! Just like being ‘neuro-typical’ doesn’t make any 2 individuals’ preferences or needs the same, having a diagnosis of Autism won't make someone's needs the same either. It doesn’t really make sense to define or make assumptions about someone entirely based on their neurology. What we do know about Autism from research is that Autism always affects 2 main areas; 1) Social Interaction & Communication, as well as 2) Restricted and Repetitive Behaviour. This is where a label becomes useful, as we can start to understand the primary areas in which a person may need support. But how exactly a condition impacts someone and what this looks like will always be very different. Let a label assist you with basic understanding, but don't let it stop there. "If you've met one person with Autism, you've met one person with Autism". Thank you for the post suggestion, Kylie Cook.

23.01.2022 HAPPY NATIONAL DOG DAY Whether they are therapy animals, assistance dogs or just loyal companions- they do so much for us! Here are 4 facts about our four-legged friends to celebrate their very own special day!...

16.01.2022 Too big a moment not to share! Mr Liam* here started with us at the beginning of term 1 this year. He and his family were super motivated to attend Kindy, but Liam didnt want to go 'just yet' because he felt nervous about not being able to use a 'big toilet'. We worked with Liam intensively over a period of 9 weeks to build up success in his toileting habits. This picture is of Liam at his very first day of Kindy yesterday after mum reported almost full independence over the ...holidays! Huge moment for this lovely family! Here is some of the things that worked for Liam; 1. Having a comprehensive toileting plan drawn up and ready to refer back to in the tricky periods 2. Making the toilet exciting! Bringing music he liked to the toilet and placing his favourite toy on the sink to bring a feeling of comfort 3. Giving Liam a step stool so his feet could remain flat on the stool (giving a feeling of stablity) 4. Integrating wet and dry activities into play to increase recognition of wet and dry sensation 5. Exploring potential sensory triggers in the toilet- Liam found that ear defenders were good for him in the bathroom and said that with them he could turn on the exhaust fan in the bathroom and flush the toilet by all by himself. What a super start to Term 2! Hope everyone in SA had a nice transition back yesterday.

15.01.2022 5 ways to help your child or teen with Executive Functioning challenges 1. Recognise that an inability to initiate a task, plan the process of completing the task or failing to execute it is not laziness, or willful disobedience if executive functioning challenges are at play (even if it may seem like it). Executive functioning challenges are rooted in the brain and can even be seen on an MRI! 2. Teach them that developing these skills is about effort, persistence and... having the right supports in place. Executive functioning skills are built over time and are built through repetition and practice. 3. Model how long it takes you to complete a task. Get a whiteboard marker and scribble over your clock from the time you start, to the end of the allocated period. ‘’It’s 12pm, I have until 12:30pm to get ready’’. Let your child watch how you use this time to show how much time things take. Individuals with EF challenges often don’t have much ‘time awareness’. 4. Get a thorough Neuropsychological Assessment where possible. This assessment is comprehensive will reveal 'hidden gems' about the individual that can be utilised across all the environments in which they gain support. If they have processing challenges, this is critical information for everyone. 5. Check for understanding. Give simple instructions ie Go to your room, grab your shoes, socks and hat’’. Then follow up with ‘’What are the 3 things you are going to get from your room?’’. Give processing time. This sets the individual up for success. **Quick description for those who are not familiar with what EF is- Executive functioning is an umbrella term for the skills we use to ‘get things done’. These skills include things like planning and organization, and are usually engaged and executed through the frontal lobes of the brain. EF challenges may be seen in up to 80% of individuals on the Autism Spectrum.**

13.01.2022 GIVEAWAY TIME We know that times are tricky for some at the moment, so Autism Advisory Adelaide would like to give away this FREE SENSORY PACK (valued at over $50!!). Perhaps you know an individual that would love this pack, want to gift it to someone but don't have the money to spend or just love a freebie ;) We welcome all entries! To qualify for an entry, all you need to do is: 1. Follow our page... 2. Tag 2 friends you think would also like to enter this giveaway 3. Share this post to your personal page AND that's it If you would like to qualify for an EXTRA draw, please tell us something in the comments about what you would like to know about Autism OR something you want others to know about Autism. GOOD LUCK! Winner will be drawn at random and announced Saturday 2nd of September at 10am. *Free delivery to SA metro residents only*

13.01.2022 Today is R U Ok Day Something that always uplifts me is how the Autism community cares for one another. I'm so proud to be a part of it. Take the opportunity today to ask- it may create a conversation that saves a life. We never know what others may be going through.

09.01.2022 Hi everyone. If you can, please take a moment to share this video. This family who are in desperate need of additional funding for AT and SW's. A mother and father washing their teenage daughter should not be seen as 'parental responsibility' and no one should ever have to lie on a public bathroom floor. Please show them your support by sharing this post or following the link below to their page. #fightforabbey

07.01.2022 Congrats Elle Spano!! You are the winner of our FREE SENSORY PACK competition! We hope you are able to put these resources to good use. Thank you to everyone for sharing your thoughts in the comments section. For those who didn't win this time, please hang around as we will be running more competitions later this year (and we hope you may just learn something new here too!). ... Have a great weekend everyone and enjoy the sunshine! -Stephanie

06.01.2022 High quality post that hits right at the heart of what we do and why we fight so strongly for a quality NDIS- so we know that our loved ones will always be supported no matter what happens to us. Tune in to Q and A tonight in 30 mins Adelaidians! https://www.facebook.com/laserbeakman/posts/452741355820746

04.01.2022 Anxiety takes many forms. It is not always obvious! I feel like for a long time, we've been sold the idea that anxiety is supposed to be this really obvious thing. It's always going to be the 'shy' kid or the adult that is always outwardly hesitant. And it just isn't true. While anxiety can be expressed in the ways above, it can also be expressed through other means (that unfortunately often paint the anxiety sufferer in a negative light). People with anxiety can be found in ...all environments- even those that are fast paced and intense. When it becomes 'all too much', your likely to get the tip of the iceberg. It is a certainty that not many will get a true glimpse of what lies underneath the iceberg. This image perfectly captures what this internal process of anxiety can manifest as outwardly. Take the time to notice the signs. Misconceptions can mean that an individual does not get the assistance they need. All behaviour communicates a need. Picture credit to gozen.com