Aspies: Find Your Tribe Inc

Hope to see you on Saturday 🤩

Here's one for the guys! Are you in your 20s or 30s and looking to make some friends? This is a wonderful group that gets up to some interesting activities. What I personally like? They are focused on participant satisfaction and keeping costs low 😍

Their next event is a movie night on Monday, 6 May 🎥 They will be meeting at Mama Falafel in Elsternwick at 5.30pm for dinner and then walking down to Classic Cinema for the 6.30pm screening of Fall Guy. The movie will finish at approximately 9pm. Costs are:

- $20-30 for dinner
- Approximately $20 for the movie, preferably on card
- Any additional $ for snacks or drinks at the cinema

Can you go? Or interested in getting on their mailing list? Contact Dov on 0414 435 945 🙏🏼

Siena Castellon founded because she "wanted to change the way learning differences are perceived." She "wanted to change the narrative and create a balanced view which focuses equally on our talents and strengths.”

As humans, we all face difficulties and challenges throughout our life, but lets take a moment to focus on our strengths - and superpowers - and believe that we are individually special and can make a difference in the world 🦸‍♀️🤩

Credit: Chris Bonnello’s list of autistic strengths from the article https://www.acto.org.uk/play-to-your-strengths/

I'm sorry it's been a long time between posts, but I've had to reduce my volunteer hours this year. Is it just me, but how quickly is 2024 disappearing 🤷🏼‍♀️

I've managed to stay in touch with some of you over the past few months, but it would be lovely to see you in person 🤩 If you're free this coming Sunday, please join us for a catch up in the park 🌳 Please note that all are welcome - young or old, families or singles.

As everything slows down over Christmas, I hope it gives you a chance to take some time out 😌 When our minds start to relax, it's all too easy to focus on the negatives, which can easily overshadow the positives.

I love this message by Nikki Miles,to "be grateful for the little things that bring you...joy". What is it for you? For me, on this Christmas day, it was the stillness of the house in the early morning, the warmth and furriness of my cats, the pink and orange hues of the sunrise and the myriad bird calls 🎄🤫😻🌄🕊️

You're not alone if you are overloaded with thoughts, riddled with anxiety or suffering from Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. Holiday periods can be particularly triggering, often causing us to feel more excluded, different or alone. You're not 🤗 There's a Tribe of us around you, who all feel similarly. Make sure you reach out, if you need support 👩🏾‍🤝‍🧑🏻

Debbie Steinberg-Kuntz says, at the start of the video, "we're part of the same tribe". Yes, we are! It took me a long time to find mine, but so glad I did 🤩

I would encourage you to watch this very short video. It is a beautifully worded and amazingly positive outlook, from Linda Silverman of the Gifted Development Center, on how we view our children. I love everything she says, but particularly that we should be a "cheerleader" for them 📣

Your Child's Unique Purpose, with Linda Silverman PhD When raising a bright and quirky child, the common tendency is to focus solely on shoring up deficits. But what if your child's unique wiring is exactly what they need to make their special contribution to the world? Listen to this quick pearl of wisdom from gifted expert Linda Silverman, PhD.

Wow 😮 How did we get to the end of the year already? We hope you can join us at our last FREE social catch up this year, to farewell the difficulties many of us have faced in 2023, and to look positively towards 2024 👀

The weather looks like it may not be kind 🌧️ but there's a great indoor area and lots to do for young and old; puzzles, games, activity sheets and more 🧩 Snacks and drinks provided. Please contact us with any dietary requirements ☕🍪

City of Kingston have some fantastic FREE events next week, which culminates on Sunday 3 December being International Day of People with Disability. Some interesting and diverse offerings, including Starfish Nippers which I've heard fabulous things about 🏊🏻‍♀️

Big Break Join us for fantastic events to celebrate the International Day of People with Disability!

The Autism and Neurodiversity Masterclass have a dream to facilitate a lense-change and understanding of Autism to radically improves the quality of the lives of Autistic people. The MasterClass allows you to learn directly from 28 of the worlds’ leading educators, advocates, researchers, thought leaders and concept originators through:

🌻 Fourteen modules of written and video learning
🌻 12 months self-paced access to content
🌻 Suggestions for further reading
🌻 A quiz at the end of each module

Check out their amazing 50% off deal until midnight on Sunday 26 November 2023. Just apply the code BlackFriday23_AMC to receive the 14 modules for only AUD$197.50 😮

The MasterClass - The Autism & Neurodiversity MasterClass The Autism and Neurodiversity MasterClass is the definitive Autism and neurodiversity education package, where you can deep dive and learn directly from 28 of the worlds’ leading educators, advocates, researchers, thought leaders and concept originators.

This poem by Andy Flemming, titled 'Ode to Can', has been a bit of a mantra for me, since it was released in 2012. Although I suspected my eldest was an Aspie back then, when he was only 6 years old, we were yet to get a diagnosis 🙃 Regardless, I ploughed on with early interventions and a Can do attitude 🌟

Eleven years on has brought with it many ups and downs, but we always "move forward not back" and continue to "find our own way". I have always believed that he is capable of doing anything he sets his mind to, and hope that I have been his biggest supporter and advocate along the way. I can wait to see what the next 11 years brings 🤩

Wherever you are along your journey, stay positive, you "can do it", and don't give up 🤗

My wonderful friend, Graciela, from Graceful Coaching, is hosting a FREE webinar this evening on 'Unburdening guilt: Reclaiming your peace of mind'. She will be exploring how to:

⭐Identify the critical distinctions between healthy and unhealthy guilt.
⭐Discuss practical strategies for reducing the burden of unhealthy guilt.
⭐Explore how guilt shapes our lives and influences our relationships.

Graciela speaks rawly, openly and honestly from lived experience. She is a joy to listen to and every time I hear her speak, I come away with a big smile on my face 😁 More details and you can sign up to receive the Zoom link here: https://gracefulcoaching.me/guilt-free/

Hope you can join us - either online or in person 🤞🏻

The Lab are a well established organisation, led by fabulous people, who do an amazing job by providing an environment where participants can share their interests in a wide variety of activities such as gaming, video creation, graphic design and programming 💻

The sessions provide social and technical skills development for young people who identify as being on the autism spectrum. There are sessions at Carnegie Library on Tuesday afternoons from 4.30 – 6.30pm, but loads of other venues across Australia, so check out if there's one near you!

The Lab At each weekly two-hour Lab session, two or more computer programmers and designers work individually with young people to develop their social and technology skills.

Whether you're an Aspie (autistic or however you prefer to identify 🙏🏼), are considering a diagnosis, supporting an Aspie or just want to know more, we'd love you to join us at our next Casual Catch Up 🤗 Snacks, drinks, activities and friendly people provided ☕🍪😁 Turn up any time and stay for as little or long as you feel comfortable.

This poem, and many others of Becky's, really resonates with me 🙏🏼 It felt like such a disconnect for me growing; so many put downs. It's hard growing up autistic and even harder without a diagnosis. I always felt different and that I "didn't fit in with the rest", but it took me until I was diagnosed at 44 to realise that I didn't have to fit in - I could be my weird and wonderful self - I just had to find my Tribe...and then lead by example 🤩

'There's a Girl' by Becky Hem
Remember the days when you couldn’t stop singing,
Dancing and dressing up, laughing and grinning?

Well that was before they mocked how you dressed
Said you would never fit in with the rest

Said that your smile was the ugliest thing
Apart from your dancing and when you would sing

So you stopped smiling and changed what you wore
When music plays you do not dance anymore

In case you look silly, in case you look daft
For fear it will dredge up those memories past

For fear that you’ll feel like you used to back then
Embarrassed and worthless again and again

See, you stopped singing loudly then stopped altogether
Stopped being someone that they could remember

But there’s a girl watching, she’s looking to you
Trying to figure out what she should do

Should she stop singing and swallow her voice?
Pick outfits to wear that would not be her choice?

Should she resist urges to get up and dance?
‘Cause sitting there quietly, no one will laugh

But…

Neither will she, she will not know the feeling
Of singing so loudly and dancing so freely

She won’t understand all the power she holds
To do as she chooses and not as she’s told

So warm up your voice and then strike up the band
Pick out your clothes and get ready to dance

And smile as you do so - think of that girl
She’s the one trapped inside you

So do it for her

You can support Becky here: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/TalkingtotheWild

Next week Amaze are running a 30 minute workshop, followed by a 15 minute Q&A, covering topics such as:

- Developing self-awareness of strengths and support needs
- Introducing different ways of working to help Autistic employees thrive at work
- Building accessibility and inclusion in workplaces to support everyone

Autism Connect webinar: Thriving at work - Amaze This free Autism Connect webinar will help Autistic employees, employers and colleagues to consider how accepting and adapting to different ways of working can help Autistic people and everyone thrive at work.       

Today is 'World Gratitude Day'. Aspies tend to have a strong sense of right and wrong ⚖️ Certainly for me, I can be quick to criticise but I believe that it's balanced by also sharing my gratitude to those who deserve it. It's so easy for people to get upset at someone for a perceived wrong, but how many out there are quick to compliment?

Some kind words, thoughtful gestures and a touch of gratitude never goes astray and can have a big impact on the receiver - particularly those suffering from Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. Think about saying out loud what you're feeling to those that went the extra mile.

Many Aspies find gratitude can be confronting, particularly if it feels disingenuous. For example, if someone says to me, "I really appreciate you", my brain says, "Why?" It is more helpful to be explicit with Aspies, to say something like, "I really appreciate you because......".

Credit: Thank you The Coaching Tools Company.com for sharing this wonderful quote from John F. Kennedy.

I have these really big expectations of myself and the speed in which I think things should happen 🏃🏼💨💨💨 In the past few years, one of my biggest learnings has been to slow down my decision making and to sit with discomfort before considering how to move forward. This way of thinking was certainly consolidated after my ADHD diagnosis - which explained a lot 😉

I felt so much pressure to get everything done quickly - but most of it was self-imposed. So now I can dwell on decisions, explore more options, process things that hurt....and know that things will fall into place when the time is right. Well, at least I hope so 🤞🏼

Credit: letstalk.mentalhealth

Looking for something to do? Bayside City Council, Victoria host a weekly All Abilities art class run by Janis Morgan. Janis is interested in the space where the Arts and Wellness connect, a space of transformation and positive change. Her values are to have an inclusive person-centred approach, respect others, empathy and integrity which allow for a safe and secure space for sharing creativity 🤗🎨

More about Janis here: https://www.creativewellnessaustralia.com.au/about-janis-morgan/

Art for All Abilities class Experienced artist Janis Morgan will help you discover your inner artist with a range of activities using different materials. This supportive and welcoming group is great for people of all abilities. No experience necessary.

I've lived through a lot in my nearly 52 years on this Earth and have faced a lot of situations where I've felt that I wasn't good enough, that I needed to meet other people's expectations and live with their judgement. Particularly since my Autism diagnosis, I know myself better and have found greater inner-acceptance - which certainly makes the journey easier 😌

My story is complex, with many pitfalls, but I've always slapped a smile on my face (at least in public) and got on with it. Even if you know some of my story, you don't know all of it, and at the end of the day, I don't feel like I have to prove anything to anyone else, I just need to be proud of myself 🥹 We all make mistakes, and I'm nobdifferent, but I'm happy with the way I'm travelling through this world 😉

Credit: Tiny Buddha

Autism Consultancy Services is running School Transition Programs in Term 4 for littlies heading into Prep and for our older kiddos starting high school 🧒🏻

These programs will help your children to feel confident and ready for their new challenge, help parents to be ready for this big step, as well as ensuring the school has the knowledge and support they need for your child to be successful from Day 1.

Autism Consultancy Services has a neuroaffirming team of dedicated specialist therapists devoted to the young people in our community. Some even have their own ND diagnosis' - which means they REALLY do understand 😍

School holidays have begun and We Rock the Spectrum - Moorabbin Open Play sessions start tomorrow. If you've been to one of our quarterly sessions that we run here, you'll know what a great facility this is; friendly and welcoming, safe and secure, and set up to suit our super-specials kids. Make sure you book in, so you don't miss out on a spot 🤸🏼🤸🏼‍♂️

Who hasn't been through these days 🌩️ Life is a tricky journey for most of us, but us Aspies seem to hit more road bumps, in trying to navigate our way through situations that don't always make sense to us. It's been so valuable to me to have trusted people in my life - family and friends - that I can bounce my thoughts off, which gives me a lot more clarity. And, on the really bad days, there is a big hug (I'm sensory seeking in this regard) and a shoulder to cry on 🤗

If you haven't already built your Tribe, it's not to late to start. Your people will be out there, just keep looking! We have regular meetings (in bayside Melbourne, Australia), so come along and see if any of us are a good fit 🤩



Credit: Hearts of Growth

National Carers Week starts in a month from today. Glen Eira City Council have some wonderful free events for Carers. Book early so you don't miss out 🙃 Movies, morning tea, exercise classes and more 🎬☕

www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/services/disability-and-accessibility/for-carers/national-carers-week

National Carers Week National Carers Week is a time to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution unpaid carers make to friends, family and neighbours — our local community.

This is another interesting workshop from Reframing Autism, led by Tara Kent of Instinct Au, that focusses on equipping AuDHDers (Autistic adults who also have ADHD), as well as those who wonder if they might be multiply neurodivergent, with knowledge and strategies to assist them in their everyday lives. I always find it confusing to differentiate between my autism and ADHD, and look forward to Tara making more sense of it 🙃

The session will cover topics including things that being an AuDHDer can make really hard, really easy or really complicated, as well as possible supports and strategies to allow you to work with (rather than against) your own brain wiring. Tara is also able to speak regarding many of the more complex characteristics of both Autism and ADHD, including rejection sensitivity, dopamine-driven intents, overwhelm and burnout.

Community Workshop: Autism and ADHD in Adulthood | Humanitix Community Workshop: Autism and ADHD in Adulthood, Hosted online, Sat 16th Sep 2023, 10:30 pm - Sun 17th Sep 2023, 12:00 am EDT. Tickets are between FREE-$5. Only on Humanitix

Hey parents. Anyone feeling more stressed than usual 😩 With only a week of Term 3 to go, there are some very real stressors with the upcoming holidays. The numbers in the pic show the percentage of people who rated these things as VERY LIKELY to cause stress, so you are certainly not alone.

As a parent, our needs often fall to the bottom of the list, but sometimes we can find family activities that fill our buckets as well 🤗 Make sure that amongst the holiday planning, you schedule some moments that will also give you joy 😁

Hope you can join us 🤗

I pretty much live by this mantra. I throw myself into things and figure, what do I have to lose 🤷🏼‍♀️ It's not easy though; you win some and lose some, but if you don't get started, you'll just never know 🙃

As Aspies, and particularly those of us (most 🤔) who are AuDHD (great new blended term for autistic and ADHD), we struggle with our executive functioning. How do we organise what needs to be done? What do we prioritise? Are we doing it right?

My ongoing joke is to start in the middle 😂 But maybe I need to update that to start in the muddle 🤣 Just jump in, anywhere, and generally it takes shape and works out and, every so often, it will turn out to be amazing 🤩

Gemma runs Immerse Drama and does a fabulous job engaging the kids and making everyone feel safe and welcome; she handles neurodiversity with aplomb.

She runs both school holiday programs as well as regular classes during the term. Gemma will always ensure that your child is in a class that is a good fit. If you can't see a class that you think would suit, I wouldn't hesitate to get in contact with her 🎭

To everyone out there doing it tough, who is having a bad day, week, year or life, and may be struggling to see their way through - there are so many positives to take from this image 🙃

Your best IS enough 🤩, there are bright days ahead 😎, Spring has sprung and flowers are bursting with colour 🌼, and someone will have a smile for you 🙂

We all have times of overwhelm, but all we can do is our best 🙏🏻 There will be those that complain or don't appreciate us, but if they are the majority, you need to find a new Tribe and surround yourself with those that know that you are ENOUGH 😍