The I CAN Network in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Medical and health

The I CAN Network

Locality: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 432 405 384

Address: PO Box 356 Ashburton 3147 Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.icannetwork.com.au

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• Medical and health
• Non-profit organisation
• Disability service
• Mental health service

22.01.2022 TW: Bullying We love seeing Autistic young people who are changing the narrative around Autism and neurodiversity! Mentor, author & neurodiversity advocate Siena Castellon (age 18) was recently selected for the United Nation's Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals program, one of just 17 outstanding young leaders chosen from a pool of 7000 applicants worldwide (news.un.org/en/story/2020/09/1072732).... As with Siena's work in the UK, our Autistic-led mentoring programs in Australia strive to positively influence whole school cultures, empower the student bodies and build up the confidence of Autistic students. We are excited to watch the growing impact of her advocacy!

20.01.2022 "An autism diagnosis doesn't change who you are, it explains why you think differently." For more Autistic insights, please see: From our teammate Max Williams, "The Revelation of Diagnosis" (tinyurl.com/y3onmdpq) From The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, "Welcome To The Autistic Community" (autisticadvocacy.org/book/welcome-to-the-autistic-community)... From our I CAN team, "Respectful Resources About Autism For Autistic Young People & Their Peers" (https://icannetwork.online//respectful-resources-about-au/) Image credit: Aspergers Reality

18.01.2022 Many in our community have the lived experience of Inattentive ADHD, a neurodivergency that often gets overlooked. Graphic & text by The Chronic Couple

18.01.2022 The amazing mind of an Autistic toddler...

18.01.2022 'Autistic kids need autistic adults as role models, to make the world a better place for them, and show them they're not alone.' For related pieces from our I CAN team: 'Why Autistic-Led Mentoring Matters' (tinyurl.com/yxwga67h) ... 'Always Remember: Important Reminders & Resources For Our Younger Autistic Peers' (tinyurl.com/y2ktwmy6) Image credit: The Autistic Life (www.instagram.com/theautisticlife)

15.01.2022 "Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." The late Rita Pierson, an educator of 40 years, shared this truth in her classic TED talk from 2013, linked below. Every child deserves to feel connected, understood and celebrated for who they are. We are so deeply grateful for the passionate teachers who play that vital role of CHAMPION in a you...ng person's life. Whether you are championing your students online or face-to-face, you are making a difference! www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion #WorldTeachersDay2020 (celebrated in much of the world on October 5th & here in Australia on October 30th this year - so please stay tuned!)

15.01.2022 AUTISM & OVERWHELM (text) "The same activities that can cause a meltdown one day may not have the same effect the next day, but why is this? Each activity we do or stimulus we come across adds to 'The Bucket.' Stimuli might be something as simple as bright lights or background noise. Things we enjoy can also add to the bucket.... As each individual stimulus adds to the bucket, the water level begins to rise. Some activities that can calm us such as stimming or time alone can help empty the bucket before it overflows. If things are added to the bucket faster than it slowly empties, the bucket can overload, causing a meltdown. Meltdowns are different for everyone. Please give us space and time and don't judge us. Meltdowns are out of our control." Credit: Autism Insights For more Autistic perspectives, including ways to provide support, please see: From Amythest Schaber, "Ask An Autistic: What Are Autistic Meltdowns?" (tinyurl.com/y926dz8b) From Judy Endow via Ollibean, "Autistic Meltdown or Temper Tantrum?" (tinyurl.com/te88r6z) From Speaking of Autism - Quincy Hansen, ""Understanding Meltdowns & Autism" (tinyurl.com/y67lsxnw) From Reframing Autism, a beautiful video series of Autistic advocates sharing their favourite stims and passions to support wellbeing (www.reframingautism.com.au/category/videos/)

15.01.2022 An important reminder: the Autism Spectrum is not linear. For a deeper dive from Autistic voices, please see: From artist Rebecca Burgess via The Art of Autism, 'Understanding The Spectrum: A Comic Strip Explanation' (tinyurl.com/ycquoqur)... From CL Lynch of NeuroClastic, '"Autism Is A Spectrum" Doesn't Mean What You Think' (tinyurl.com/y3h8gqzx)

14.01.2022 AUTISTIC: Atypical Unlike most others Terrifically different... Insightful Sensory superstars Totally authentic Interests are STRONG Changing the world ~ Samara Masterman (age 10) Shared with Samara's generous permission. From one of our favourite books, "The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Guide For Teens & Tweens" by Yenn Purkis & Tanya Masterman: www.jkp.com//the-awesome-autistic-go-to-guide-a-practical-

12.01.2022 "One of the things I love about working with Autistic kids is that we are a group that loves our interests...that is a precious part about having an Autistic person in your life. Leverage that golden thread of interests and motivations." Our Founder & CEO Chris Varney shares many of his Autistic insights and tips for parents and carers in this recent podcast with Professor Julie Green, executive director of raisingchildren.net.au. Tune in below:

11.01.2022 MY PASSIONATE MIND An Autistic-crafted resource by Dr Wenn Lawson as part of the "Nothing about me without me" series for South Australia Department of Education (downloadable version here: tinyurl.com/ycj7mq73). TEXT:... Autism: I learn best when I am interested. Sharing my interests is a way to connect with others. Relationships centered around shared interests work well for me, as long as it begins with mine. Communication and being social works best around my interests. As an autistic I am single minded. I think OR I feel. I am great at doing one thing at a time. I can’t multitask unless I am connected by motivation. Learning is offline unless I am interested. My interest facilitates and maintains learning for me. Sometimes I get anxious. My stomach gets upset and I might eat smaller portions. I might have joint pains and not like to walk. I might need a heat pad, to walk shorter distances (10 15 min) and not sit too long (move every hour). I learn differently to others. Ask me what might help. It may be technology, visuals, auditory information or clear instructions. Using colours may help me find my place. Stories can help explain stuff. People use metaphors which I may take literally. I may get anxious trying to understand them. I can ask people to say what they mean and mean what they say. Sometimes nonautistic people don’t understand me. I need to be patient with them. Interests connect me. I connect to what interests me. Motivation draws me towards learning. Negotiation helps me feel more valued Learning through what interests me suits me. Rewards can make me happy, but don’t help me learn. Make reasonable accommodations for my autism. No interest = no attention. This is not a choice. It is my default setting. Interest = attention. I notice and give attention when I’m interested. My interests turn me on. Personal stories by autistics show that interests have opened doors to learning in ways nothing else could.

11.01.2022 FINAL CALL FOR AUTISTIC YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE KEEN TO SHARE THEIR PASSIONS, INTERESTS & TALENTS! EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST CLOSE ON MONDAY 28 SEPTEMBER. We are getting ready to announce the full details of our AWETISM 2020 Virtual Expo (scheduled for Friday, 20 November), an online version via the platform vFairs of our annual flagship event that showcases the in-depth knowledge, passions and talents of Autistic young people. We are continuing to put the call out for Autistic y...oung people across Australia (ages 9-20) who might be interested in sharing their passions, unique reflections or talents as part of this awesome online event. TO LEARN MORE OR SUBMIT AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI), please click here: https://icannetwork.online/.../awetism-2020-virtual-expo.../ Prospective presenters have until Monday, 28 September to submit an EOI. We have received some fascinating EOIs thus far! If you have any further questions, please reach out to our team at [email protected].

10.01.2022 'I am resilient, I am capable, and my Autism is an inseparable part of my resilient and capable self.' Max Williams has mentored hundreds of Autistic young people since joining our team in 2014, sharing with them his awesome sense of humour, strength in the face of adversity - including a recent battle with cancer - and his pride in embracing his authentic Autistic self. You can view Max's keynote address at our recent #AwetismExpo and see the pride displayed by 50+ Autistic ...young people who also presented at the event. Content is free & accessible to the public until 20 December: www.awetism.vfairs.com Learn more about our Autistic-led mentoring here: https://icannetwork.online/about-i-can-network/

10.01.2022 "When your [brain] works differently, it can feel like you’re broken. So, what I’m trying to do is reach out to these people wherever they are in the world, and tell them, 'You are not weird. You are not stupid. You do not need to try harder. You are not a failed version of normal. You are different, you are beautiful, and you are not alone.'" We love Jessica McCabe's journey toward self-acceptance and the strengths-based message of her heartfelt TEDx talk, "Failing At Normal...: An ADHD Success Story" linked below. Our world is a better place when neurodivergent minds are understood and embraced. via How to ADHD #Neurodiversity #ADHD #ADHDAwarenessMonth

09.01.2022 Sensory eating can affect kids and adults. For more perspectives, please see: From Speaking of Autism - Quincy Hansen, "Sensory Eating Is Not Picky Eating" (tinyurl.com/ycxhafaw)... From Autistically Alex, "Sensory Series: 'Picky Eater'" (tinyurl.com/y7y83984) Image credit: Feeding Littles H/t Spectrumy

07.01.2022 A powerful reminder from our friends at Reframing Autism: "Listening to Autistic voices, whether those voices communicate traditionally or not, is key to accessing the rich internal world of the Autistic people in your life." For a deeper dive, please see:... I CAN Ambassador Tim Chan's 2014 TEDx, "Turning Impediments Into Opportunities" (youtu.be/Woy-XzC-UVs) and his 2020 "Humans On The Autism Spectrum" profile (youtu.be/XKJnKCW2xfc) Eleven-year-old Cadence's (I am Cadence - Growing Up Unique) self-directed documentary, "Bouncing Words," in which she shares her reflections on communication as a non-speaking Autistic young person. Via Reframing Autism (youtu.be/Yiubc3EmwgQ) From Autistic teen Mitchell Robins, "My Communication Methods" (tinyurl.com/yao6yca9) From Autism Actually, "What Non Speaking Autistics Have Taught Me" (tinyurl.com/ybbhsabg - includes recommended blogs) #AACMonth #ActuallyAutistic

04.01.2022 JOIN US FOR AWETISM 2020 VIRTUAL EXPO (FRIDAY, 20th NOVEMBER 9am-8pm AEDT) - FREE, OPEN WORLDWIDE We are so proud to open up registrations for our AWETISM 2020 Virtual Expo, the biggest Autistic youth event in Australia and the largest event in I CAN Network history! This amazing day, which celebrates Autistic students and their passions, is open to participants of all ages worldwide.... There will also be valuable presentations aimed at employers, parents & carers, teachers and the broader community. You can choose how you wish to engage - from attending student presentations and panel discussions to visiting online exhibitions and enjoying our keynote speakers. To register for free and/or to learn more, please see: https://awetism.vfairs.com/ For any questions not addressed in the Expo FAQs (linked above), please contact us at [email protected].

04.01.2022 Why are transitions between activities often so hard for neurodivergent people? Erin Human created 'The Tendril Theory' based on lived experience: IMAGE: 'Why it’s hard to switch tasks (Let’s call it Tendril Theory).' Line drawings of a person with many curly lines popping out of their head when they are engaged in a task and no lines when they are ready to switch tasks.... IMAGE TEXT: 'When I’m focused on something / My mind sends out a million tendrils of thought / Expands into all of the thoughts & feelings / When I need to switch tasks / I must retract all of the tendrils of my mind / This takes some time / Eventually I can shift to the new task / But when I am interrupted or must switch abruptly / It feels like all of the tendrils are being ripped out / That’s why I don’t react well / Please just give me time / To switch tasks when I’m ready.' For some practical tips on how to honour those tendrils while supporting transitions, please see this piece from Carrie Contey, PhD. (view here: tinyurl.com/y4d6vkmo)

03.01.2022 "Autism is not a random list of behaviors. There are reasons behind the things that we do, even if they aren’t obvious or understandable to neurotypical people. As such, it’s always wise to look for the why to address the how." We were first introduced to one of our favourite Autistic bloggers, Quincy Hansen of Speaking of Autism - Quincy Hansen, when he wrote this piece last year at age 17.

01.01.2022 AUTISM & MELTDOWNS: A GUIDE (Re-sharing this respectful, Autistic-crafted tip sheet from Bendigo Autistic Advocacy and Support Service - downloadable version below) TEXT: Autistic brains experience the world differently.... Autistic experiences are real and valid. Sensory processing differences can mean some sounds, textures, tastes and sensations may be intolerable or painful. It can mean differences in movement, balance and different skills develop at a different pace. Meltdowns are an involuntary response to overload from sensory stimuli, overwhelm/exhaustion/anxiety, change or an accumulation or combination of these. Autistic people cannot control a meltdown. ~ Facts and Tips ~ It is important to respect and gently support a person in meltdown. Do not judge and please do not ever punish or impose consequences. Ensure safety of the person and yourself Give space Remove others from area Subtle supervision from distance **Intervene only if imminent danger** (e.g. traffic) DO NOT TOUCH/RESTRAIN Only hold person if known to be effective for them and only by someone known well Respect cues If speaking to, being close by, eye contact or touching someone increases distress or signs of distress, avoid these wherever possible Reduce eye contact Reduce speech Reduce volume Positive, calming tone Reduce environmental stimuli Where possible, reduce noise, bright lights Remove triggers Recovery time drink and snacks, space and unlimited access to calming/favourite activity is crucial Ensure environments/activities are inclusive and accessible. Download here: bendigoautisticadvocacy.weebly.com//autism___meltdowns.pdf

01.01.2022 In this beautiful piece from 2013, Ariane Zurcher of Emma's Hope Book shares what she WISHES she had been told when she learned her young daughter was Autistic. The first thing on her list? "Seek out the work of Autistic people."