News from Autism Victoria

Message to the Victorian Autism Community

Announcement of the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer.

I am pleased to inform members that Murray Dawson-Smith has accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Autism Victoria.

State Council, on Monday 16th June, endorsed the recommendation of the Autism Victoria Selection Panel to appoint Murray as CEO of AV. State Council believes that Murray's skills and experience in the disability field makes him an excellent choice for the position.

A little bit about Murray...

Murray has been working in the “Not for Profit” sector for many years.  Murray has worked extensively with Indigenous communities both in Australia and Overseas on community development projects, within the disability field, the housing sector and in a Peak disability service.

Most recently Murray was employed by St John of God Accord, a generalist disability service providing accommodation, day service and community support programs.  Prior to St John of God Accord, Murray held the position of Executive Officer, VICRAID, the peak body for accommodation and community support providers to the disability sector.  Concurrently Murray was also Executive Officer of Active Property Services Management, a housing provider specialising in Housing to people with a disability. 

Murray has extensive knowledge of current Disability legislation, the importance of creating sustainable housing options and a keen understanding of, and passion for, the role a peak body plays in supporting the goals of service providers.  Murray is also keenly aware of the critical role of families supporting people with a disability and the importance to families of having access to relevant and timely advice.

Murray has also worked extensively with a range of government departments and is keen to continue developing these relationships in line with the aspirations of Autism Victoria.  Murray looks forward, with a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement, to positioning Autism Victoria as a pre-imminent Peak body.

Murray officially starts with Autism Victoria on July 7th 2008.

Val Spence Caretaker, CEO will stay on for a period of time to support Murray's induction into the organisation.

Mary Thomson

President

Parliamentary Inquiry into Better Support for Carers

A Federal Parliamentary Inquiry is looking into Support for Carers of people with chronic illness, disability or frailty.  The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth is conducting the inquiry and is calling for written submissions until 4th July 2008.  Public hearings will also be conducted across the country.  For further detail visit the House of Representatives Committee website.

Autism Victoria will be making submissions along with a range of community and carer organisation.  Individuals can also make a submission.  For further details about the inquiry and how to make a submission click here.

Early Childhood Autism Services

There is currently, a great deal of discussion nationally and internationally about how may hours of 'treatment/services' per week constitutes an effective service for young children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism Victoria contributes at both state and national level to discussions groups and working parties which are seeking to extend the current low intensity of services available.

We support the recommendations made in the Roberts/Prior 2006 document Early Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Guidelines for Best Practice. This review of 'The research to identify the most effective models of practice in early intervention of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders' was commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

Extract from page 3 of this review - Number of hours of treatment per week

To be successful EI needs to be extensive and intensive.  A minimum of 20 hours a week over two or more years is essential for young children to make major gains.

Update - Autism State Plan

To make sure that the Autism State Plan reflects the views and experiences of people with an ASD, their families and carers, people and organisations that provide services, doctors, teachers and academics and others, there will be a consultation process to seek views.

The consultation has two stages, the first stage is now complete and the summary of outcomes is available. A second targeted stage of consultation will be undertaken during 2008 before the draft Autism State Plan is submitted for government consideration later in 2008.

Contacting Autism Victoria by phone

Don’t forget that regional Victorians can contact the Autism Victoria office for the cost of a local call using our 1300 service.  The number is  1300 308 699. Interstate callers must use the [03] 9885 0533 number as we are unable to offer this service beyond Victoria.  Metropolitan callers can use either number, as there is no difference in cost.

Items of Interest

Web Browser for Autistic Children

Grandfather builds web browser for Autistic Boy

John LeSieur is in the software business, so he took particular interest when computers seemed mostly useless to his 6-year-old grandson, Zackary. The boy has autism, and the whirlwind of options presented by PCs so confounded him that he threw the mouse in frustration.

LeSieur tried to find online tools that could guide autistic children around the Web, but he couldn't find anything satisfactory. So he had one built, named it the Zac Browser For Autistic Children in honour of his grandson, and is making it available to anyone for free. For the complete article go to http://apnews.excite.com/article/20080603/D912OC100.html

The Zac Browser can be downloaded or run directly from http://www.zacbrowser.com

New Voice of Families Launched

Family Voices Magazine, launched this month by the Australian Association for Families of Children with a Disability (AAFCD), aims to be a valued link to what is happening at a national level for families of children with a disability. The magazine features family stories that ‘tell it like it is’ as well as information about AAFCD’s work to achieve better services and support for families.

AAFCD’s purpose is to educate national public policy-makers and the broader community about the needs of families of children with a disability; advocate on behalf of children with a disability and their families to ensure the best possible support and services are available from government and the community; inform families of children with a disability about their rights and entitlements to services and support; and celebrate the successes and achievements of children with a disability and their families. Membership of AAFCD is free for families and $20 for professionals and organisations.

Two editions of Family Voices Magazine are planned each year and contributions from across Australia will be welcome. The magazine’s first edition is available from the AAFCD website http://www.aafcd.org.au, as well as national updates and news on what’s happening for families in between editions of the magazine.

AAFCD has regular input to NDS through the National Committee on Children, Young People and Their Families.

For more information about AAFCD, to order a copy of Family Voices Magazine or to give feedback on the first edition, phone 1800 222 660 or email mail@aafcd.org.au.

Events

Asia Pacific Autism Conference (APAC 09)

APAC 09 will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sydney, 20 – 22 August 2009.  With its theme of Connecting Today:  Inspiring Tomorrow, APAC 09 will bring together people with an autism spectrum disorder, families and carers, educators, researchers, service providers and practitioners from across Australia and the Asia Pacific region.  It will inspire participants by providing opportunities to build relationships, explore intervention strategies, learn about new research developments and celebrate experiences and achievements and raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

Further information and regular updates can be found on the Conference website at www.apac09.org.

Autism & Asperger's Syndrome and Social Relationships - an Online Conference

This online conference features Dr Temple Grandin and Dr Tony Attwood and will be held on the 17th and 18th July.  For details can be found the Conference website at www.fhautism.com.

Autism Victoria Events

The Autism Victoria website Events Calendar is one of the most visited sections of our web site, and details of forthcoming events are updated regularly.  Autism Victoria has also added listings for Social Skills Programs, Professional Development Programs and Parent Education Programs.  The Calendar is organised chronologically, and a summary listing can be scanned for items of interest.  If you wish to promote an event on the calendar, you must use the form on the website.  It can take up to two weeks to upload event information to the website, so please give plenty of notice for your event.

Products and Fundraising Activities

Springfree Trampolines

For full details about this safe and innovative trampoline go to their website at www.springfreetrampoline.com.au or phone 1800 123 204.  The tramps are also regularly on display at local shopping centres.  Springfree make a donation to Autism Victoria for every tramp sold to Victorian based customers who mention Autism Victoria. 

Shopping Tour

Clare Johnstone is organising a Shopping Tour on the 25th October and all proceeds will go to Autism Victoria.  The tour starts from Hoppers Crossing and visit at least 9 factory outlets across Melbourne.  The cost is approximately $40 with lunch included.  Please contact Clare on 9749 4621.

About eSpectrum

eSpectrum is compiled and distributed by Autism Victoria Inc.  All information is included in good faith, and is current at time of release.  Any views expressed in eSpectrum are not necessarily those of Autism Victoria Inc, the State Council, Executive Committee or its member agencies.  The publication of a product or program in eSpectrum should not be taken as an endorsement of the service or the product(s).  Autism Victoria has included details of products and services for the information of readers in good faith.  Readers should take care to evaluate them for their suitability to their particular needs.  Queries, items for inclusion and comments should be directed to the Chief Executive Officer, Autism Victoria at admin@autismvictoria.org.au