2019 Autism Conference Series - Autism SA

Welcome to your Autism SA Infomail

2019 Autism Conference Series

Autism SA is excited to announce the 2019 Autism Conference Series. The speaker will be
Michelle Garcia Winner - internationally recognised speech pathologist from the United States,
and founder and CEO of Social Thinking®. She will present "Using the Social Thinking
Methodology to support Social Learning".

Social Thinking is a company dedicated to helping individuals across their lifespan to develop their
social competencies to meet their personal social goals. Michelle is recognised as '...the leading
expert in the field of social skills' with more than 30 years' experience working with individuals,
families and professionals in the autism sector. Michelle is a prolific writer and has written and/or
co-authored more than 40 books and over 100 research articles about the Social Thinking
Methodology including; 'Social Behaviour Mapping'; 'Thinking about you, Thinking about Me?'; 'You
are a Social Detective'; and 'Superflex: A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum".

Presentation overview
On Friday 15 February 2019 Michelle Garcia Winner will teach individuals and those that support
people with social emotional learning challenges to develop skills in how they interpret and
respond to social information to better connect with others. Michelle will present tips, practical
strategies and frameworks for individuals and those that support individuals with autism to improve
social competencies that can be used immediately in the classroom, clinic, home and
community.

The conference is set to be an engaging, interactive day where the participants will be guided
through a range of innovative socially based problem solving strategies that can be used with
individuals with solid expressive and receptive language skills, in a range of settings.
"...one of my favourite authors in the field of teaching emotional intelligence. Michelle Garcia
Winner has pioneered some very helpful ways of conceptualising and helping educators
understand the social challenges that students on the autism spectrum face." - Stephan Borgman,

2010, Psychology Today, 'Spectrum Solutions'

Read more testimonials and about the program here

Who should attend?
Individuals on the spectrum, parents, family members, educators, clinicians, professionals, and
anyone who supports a person on the spectrum will benefit from attending this conference. All
participants will develop an appreciation that social capabilities are integral to a person's success
in life - socially, academically, and professionally.
To be held at Morphettville (South Australian Jockey Club), this is a conference not to be missed!

Super early bird special ends 30 October 2018 - book your place here.

Volunteering with Autism SA

Autism SA had the opportunity to meet some incredible groups of South Australian students,
academics and professionals at Telstra, and the University of Adelaide volunteer expos this
month.

Thank you to those that registered their interest in volunteering for Autism SA - your contributions
will be integral in helping Autism SA to support individuals on the autism spectrum to live the life
they choose in an inclusive society.

Gina

We recently had a chat to one of our newest volunteers, Gina, about her volunteer journey.

Gina volunteers with the Autism SA Foundation Skills Group, making resources and interacting
with clients. Gina was motivated to volunteer so that she could not only 'learn and grow', but be
able to "help support the (Foundation Skills Group) children, and knowing that no matter how I can
help it will all go towards helping these children grow and learn... the staff here are so supportive,
and seeing how motivated they are only pushes me to want to do more...". We also asked Gina
what she would say to anybody who may be contemplating volunteering, and she shared that it is
"a great opportunity to further your knowledge areas".

Thank you Gina!

If you are interested in making a difference through volunteering, like Gina, please lodge an

application via our website.

Recognition Awards

Nominations for the 2018 Autism SA Recognition Awards are now open!

Autism SA recognises that there are many individuals and organisations that make significant
contributions to the organisation as well as for individuals on the autism spectrum, their families
and carers. The Autism SA Recognition Awards are designed to recognise these outstanding
contributions and achievements in the community.

Nominations in each of the categories will be open until 15 October 2018, and can be made online
via this link, or by downloading the nomination form here and sending it to
asamarketing@autismsa.org.au.

The Autism Friendly Charter - spreading the message of inclusion
and acceptance across the country

Autism SA's Autism Friendly Charter just touched down in
Adelaide after a month long National Roadshow campaign.
Throughout the month many passionate business owners,
management and staff across the country attended the free
training delivered by the Autism Friendly Charter team. Many
attendees provided feedback that they were thrilled by the
training, with participants sharing that they learnt 'lots of useful
ideas and tips on how to help people with autism', that the team
was 'very helpful' and that they simply "loved it!"

Thank you to all of the businesses that supported Autism SA by
attending the autism friendly training sessions.

The Autism Friendly Charter online training has landed!

With the National Roadshow ending with great success, Autism SA is thrilled to announce the
launch of the brand new Autism Friendly Charter website.

The website will contain information, resources and provide eligible businesses and recreational
organisations across the country 24 hour, online access to Autism Friendly training modules to

assist them in understanding the autism spectrum, and aiding them to make small
 adjustments to become an Autism Friendly Business.. This means that Australia is one step
closer to a more inclusive society.

To find out if your business is eligible visit the website: www.autismfriendlycharter.org.au or if you
have any questions about the Autism Friendly Charter, you can contact afc@autismsa.org.au.

NDIS update

On Thursday 2 August the NDIA held a webinar on self-management. The panel answered
questions from the community via live chat and delivered information and insights about what self-
management is, how to self-manage your NDIS funds and your responsibilities as a self-manager.

If you missed the webinar, or would like to watch it again, it is now available here

Facebook Live

On 24 August, Autism SA held a Facebook Live session with our passionate schools team,
answering your questions.

If you missed it, you can view the session on our Facebook page here.

Up next month on Facebook

On 21 September at 4.00pm, the Autism SA Training, Consultancy & Research team will be live to
answer your questions about training, family and professional workshops, and the 2019 Autism
Conference Series - with Michelle Garcia Winner.

If there is a question you'd like to ask, please send it to asamarketing@autismsa.org.au or jump
on our Facebook page at 4.00pm on 21 September and comment below the video once it is live.
All questions emailed before the video will be kept anonymous.

Sunday Mail Westpac City-Bay - run for Autism SA!

Get ready to lace up and make a dash this September with the 2018 Sunday Mail Westpac City-
Bay.

If you've never participated before, there are a number of ways you can be involved:

*       3km dog walk
*       6km or 12km wheelchair
*       3km, 6km or 12km walk
*       3km, 6km or 12km run
*       21km half marathon run

Autism SA has a registered team for the day -be sure to list us as your team when you register
here.

So come and join us - Jenny, our CEO will be undertaking the 6km walk!

Community Fundraisers - 'Girls Nite Out'
Thank you to an incredible group of women in the community that got together to raise funds for
Autism SA with a 'Girls Nite Out' last month!

The night looked fantastic, filled with yummy food, raffles, prizes and more, with the group raising
more than $400 for Autism SA. Thank you Lyn and Ann for organising the fundraiser, and to all
their guests for your generous donations!

If you would like to organise your own Autism SA fundraiser, fill out this form and send it on to
icollins@autismsa.org.au.

Magic Carpet lands at Autism SA
Autism SA enjoyed testing our brand new Magic Carpet this month, an incredible sensory learning
tool that comes with an interactive system that displays images and games.

The innovative technology will be used for therapy at Autism SA's Elizabeth and Netley locations,
and will be used as part of the sensory space that is currently being developed at the Northern
Hub. Thank you to the team and their community at Liquor Industry Gold Club (LIGC) for the grant
that brought the Magic Carpet to Autism SA. Each year the LIGC host a Charity Golf Day, where
they raise funds to assist local charities, and we thank them for choosing Autism SA this year.

To see the Magic Carpet in action, visit our Instagram page, and see how this cool new technology
works.

Coles Mini Collectables

Autism SA had a special delivery from Adam and the
Coles Distribution Centre based in Edinburgh Parks during
the month!

The Centre donated a giant pile of Coles mini collectables
to Autism SA, to be sorted into packs for Autism SA
Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists to use
in their daily therapeutic practice. Existing Autism SA
resources such as cash registers and shopping baskets,
as well as therapist created resources such as shopping
lists and visual matching sheets, will be used to
accompany the little collectables.

Thank you to Adam, the Coles Distribution Centre and to all of the incredible members of the
community that have been donating their miniatures.

If you have any donations that you would like to donate to Autism SA, donations can be dropped
to the Autism SA Netley and Elizabeth offices, or posted to us at PO Box 304, Marleston DC,
5033. These miniature resources will have a great home to go to as they will be loved, taken care
of and used in many different settings by Autism SA therapists for many years to come helping
individuals on the autism spectrum realise their potential.

Training

Coming soon for families: Positive Behaviour Support Planning: understanding behaviour and
practical strategies to support

This session will be presented on Thursday 27 September at Autism SA's new Northern Hub
training room. Presented by an experienced Behaviour Consultant from the Autism SA Psychology
and Behaviour Support team, participants will develop a greater understanding of behaviours of
concern in the context of autism. During the session, the presenter will guide participants through
a range of relevant, realistic and evidence based strategies that can be utilised in a range of
settings, and that can also be individualised for the person in their day-to-day lives.

This session is highly recommended for families who are accessing, or looking at accessing,
Psychology or Behaviour Support from Autism SA, or are just wanting a deeper understanding with
practical strategies to support an individual in the home or community environment.

To book your place, click here.

Coming soon for professionals: Supporting students on the autism spectrum for school services
officers (SSOs) and education support officers (ESOs)

This workshop will be presented on Friday 14 September at Autism SA's new Northern Hub
training room. Supporting a student on the autism spectrum can be both challenging and very
rewarding. This workshop recognises the important role of SSOs and ESOs within the educational
sector. The program also allows time for participants to share their ideas and successes, and
network with other participants.

Topics covered include:

* Understanding the autism spectrum;
* The role of support staff;
* Evidence based teaching strategies when working 1:1, in small groups and supporting in the
classroom;
* Enhancing communication;
* Increasing social understanding;
* Reducing interfering behaviours;
* Addressing sensory needs; and
* How to look after your own needs on the job!

You can book your place here.

Calendars

Autism SA offer a variety of training sessions - held at both our Netley and Elizabeth sites. For
more information, please visit the links below or contact the Training and Consultancy Coordinator
on 0421 326 710.

General Family Workshops July-December 2018
Professional Development Workshops Term 3 2018
In Focus Family Workshops July-December 2018
Early Days Workshops July-December 2018

Parent Conference

Hosted by the Department for Education, Getting the right fit is a conference which
will inform parents and carers about the services and support available for children
and young people with a disability.

Parents and carers of a child or young person with a disability are invited to listen to
information and strategies from key note speakers and participate in workshops at the Parent
Conference, Getting the right fit, on 12 September 2018.

The conference will be opened by a performance by students from Kilparrin, Errington and South
Australian School for Vision Impaired (SASVI).

Please download the full flyer here.

Registration for this conference is via this link.

                                Do you hav e a heart-w arming
                                story you w ould like to share?
                               Please send us an email w ith the
                                            details
                              to asamarketing@autismsa.org.au

                                                      St ay C o nnect ed