We have recently had a large increase in enquiries. We are keen to help everyone but it may take a little time for us to return your call. We apologise if this causes any inconvenience.
Learning Links’ Annual General Meeting 2011
All are welcome to attend our 2011 AGM. Guest speaker, Dr George Williams, will talk about "Anxiety in Children". Please RSVP by Monday 7 November by calling 02 8568 8200 or email mail@learninglinks.org.au
Autism Initiative
Learning Links is an approved Panel Provider under the Helping Children with Autism Initiative.
Learning Links has a range of support options available for children birth-6 years with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder or Pervasive Developmental Delay.
Services are available at the following locations:
- Brookvale - (02) 907 4222
- Fairfield - (02) 9754 2377
- Miller - (02) 8783 7111
- Peakhurst - (02) 8525 8222
- Kingsford - (02) 9398 5188
Please refer to the following website for information relating to the services available: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/disability/progserv/people/HelpingChildrenWithAutism/Pages/default.aspx
Autism Noticeboard
In November this year Dr Wendy Lawson will be conducting an ‘Australian Adventour’. Joining Wendy on the Adventour will be Robyn Steward from the UK. The theme of the tour is “Diversity and Difference – an exploration of the autism spectrum” and Wendy and Robyn will use their favourite means of expression - painting and poetry, to help them connect with their audiences in a unique way.
Sessions hosts will be able to choose from a range of specific Autism Spectrum Disorder related topics to suit their particular constituencies.
The attached flier outlines details of the Adventour – a bit about Wendy and Robyn, and also the topics they can cover. Session times and content are flexible – they can be tailored by the speakers to fit the needs of each host. A presentation from Wendy and Robyn would work well as an end of year function for staff or parent groups or as an activity based workshop for a group of students or clients at the higher functioning end of the autistic spectrum. A shorter presentation would also suit an Annual General Meeting format.
If you are interested in hosting a session please contact the Autism Noticeboard.
Carers NSW Carer Representation Program
The Carer Representation Program provides training, information and support to carers to enable them to act as Carer Representatives, representing Carers NSW and the wider body of carers.
The aim of the Carer Representation Program is to inform a range of professionals and the broader community of carers’ perspectives.
Carer Representatives activities include:
- participation on committees, advisory groups etc;
- guest speaking;
- forums;
- conferences;
- media interviews; and
- focus groups.
Carers NSW is seeking the involvement of carers from diverse communities and backgrounds, with carers throughout metropolitan, regional and rural NSW invited to join the Carer Representation Program.
Service providers are encouraged to inform carers of this opportunity.
No experience is required, but an interest in getting the carers’ perspective heard is a must.
For more information please contact Alison Parkinson on 9280 4744 or email alisonp@carersnsw.asn.au.
Diagnostic Screening for Austism Spectrum Disorder
Learning Links is now conducting diagnostic screening for children presenting with behaviours and characteristics typical to children that have a diagnosis of Autism.
Diagnostic screening can be conducted at your school or preschool. The behavioural rating scale used is widely recognised by professionals in identifying children with Autism and is based on a comprehensive assessment including observation, interviews with professionals and parents and review of reports and information relating to the child.
This diagnostic screening is invaluable to parents and school professionals in assisting in the process of diagnosis and in establishing support mechanisms and programs to best support the child.
All screening is conducted by Learning Links’ psychologists with a comprehensive report provided following assessment.
Please contact the location closest to you for further information or to make a booking.
FaHSCIA e-news
Please click on the link below to access all editions of this newsletter.
http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/disability/pubs/employers/Pages/disAbilitye-news.aspx
National Disability Insurance Scheme
As you might know, there’s a proposal to introduce a National Disability Insurance Scheme for everyone who has, or acquires, a significant disability.
Why is this important for every Australian?
Those who acquire a disability through a workplace or a motor vehicle accident generally receive financial support. However, for those who acquire permanent disabilities in other accidents, are born with a permanent disability, acquire a permanent disability through a medical condition or have a permanent mental illness, there is no automatic support to meet their needs. This is a national disgrace and an issue for every Australian. It's time to introduce a new national safety net, ensuring peace of mind for all Australians should they or someone they love become severely disabled.
How can you help? Either visit www.ndis.org.au and use the very easy “Email your MP” function to express your support or email Bill Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services and express your support.
What are the biggest issues for you or the person you know with a disability?
Lack of information about disability services (no one seems to have a holistic view).
Lack of coordination of disability services.
Lack of availability of disability services (especially respite and funding for large equipment).
Lack of respite – you must be “in crisis” to get any assistance.
Lack of suitable respite and support services for children / adults with behavioural issues.
No planning into the future as to what the lifelong needs of the person with a disability might be.
No consideration paid to how best to position the family to continue to care for the person with a disability (and this is so much more affordable for the public purse than having that person cared for in an institution – if that option is even available, which is unlikely).
How could your/their life be changed by a National Disability Insurance Scheme?
For the system to move from crisis-driven to something more positive and proactive.
Better access to / and coordination of disability information, services and funding – no one seems to have a big picture view.
For the "whole" person and family to be considered now and for a sustainable future, rather than the system just addressing the most recent crisis or most urgent need – no one seems to be looking ahead.
Register now and have your say in the reform of our current disability system
A new initiative by Ageing, Disability and Home Care, NSW Department of Families and Community Services.
By 2014 every person with a disability in NSW will have the right to choose a person-centred portable funding option to enable them to choose and control the services and supports they will receive.
A summit was held at ACER arena in Sydney to focus on the rights and needs of people with disabilities of all ages and the way in which the government can best implement person centred supports and funding arrangements. This is part of a shift in the way that services are provided to children, young people and adults with disabilities and will recognise the rights of people with disabilities to determine their own lives and participate fully in their community
ADHC is holding follow-up local consultations with people with disabilities, families and services around so you can have your say on person centred and self managed funding.
More information and register to attend a session
Speech Pathology Survey
The University of Sydney is conducting a survey of parents to find out what they think about the availability of speech pathology services around the country. The results of this survey may be used to help plan speech pathology services and will be published so that the data is publicly available.
Parents will not be asked to identify the service they are currently (or have previously attended) and no information which could identify them, their child or their speech pathologist will be collected. The research has been approved by the University of Sydney Human Ethics Committee.
If you would like more information about the survey please click here.
Support for School Leavers
A FREE SERVICE!
Learning Links’ team of qualified specialist professionals is able to provide school leavers 16 and over with additional individual intervention in planning their transition from high school. This exciting free pilot program is currently available to students who are diagnosed within the mild disability range and attend schools in the Northern Beaches area.
We are pleased to be able to offer the program options listed below to support students. The pilot program for students has been developed to provide the following specialist services:
- functional and standardised assessment to assist in identifying areas of strength and ability,
- comprehensive written report,
- comprehensive feedback to students, parents and school professionals.
- individual meetings with students to support them and assist in future directions, and
- strategies and links for students, parents and school professionals.
Participation in the pilot project is free. The program delivery will be supported by Learning Links’ team of highly qualified and experienced Educational Psychologists.
To discuss this exciting opportunity and confirm student eligibility please contact Diane Peacock-Smith on (02) 8568 8247 or email: dpeacock-smith@learninglinks.org.au.
Weekend Speech Therapy
Learning Links - Fairfield now offers Speech Therapy support for children of ages 3 and a half to 18 years on Saturdays!
For further information about this exciting opportunity for families, please contact Veronica Hodgson or Jill Vidler on 9754 2377 Monday - Thursdays or
to email.
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