Your Next Steps

Join the University of Sydney‘s Centre for Disability Research and Policy for the Aboriginal Sign Language Forum 2024 on Friday 23 August.

This free event will bring together Aboriginal sign language experts, educators, linguists, researchers, and community members to discuss expanding Aboriginal Sign Languages and its benefits.

You can attend online or in person. Register here www.eventbrite.com.au/e/aboriginal-sign-language-forum-2024-tickets-936246427267

https://www.trybooking.com/CTIMW

Siblings Australia has partnered with Alicia Meneses Maples, award winning blogger, TEDx speaker and sibling, to co-host two webinars which will “shine a light on siblings”. 💻

Siblings Australia will commence the series with 'Shining a light on sibling support: a webinar for parents'. This webinar will be hosted on Sunday, July 28 at 2pm ACST. Alicia will discuss important (and sometimes difficult) topics such as:

• Tips for ensuring your sibling child is seen and supported
• Things to look for – what are the signs your sibling child may be struggling
• What can be the flow on effects for sibling children in their adult relationships
• Recognition of medical trauma (vicarious witness trauma)
• Avoiding no-contact as your sibling child transitions into adulthood
• Addressing extreme co-dependence – setting parameters for healthy adult relationships

The second webinar 'Shining a light on what siblings have tried to bury: a webinar for adult siblings', will be hosted on Sunday, August 11 at 2pm ACST. Some of the topics Alicia will discuss are:

• You can’t heal what you don’t recognise
• How do I have the “future planning” conversation with my parents
• I’ve had to go no-contact – is there any going back?
• De-stigmatising therapy
• When is the right time to talk about my sibling experience with my parents?
• Recognising your past may leave you open to engaging in unhealthy relationships in your future

To register your virtual seat for the webinars, click the link in our bio and follow the steps outlined by Siblings Australia.🔗

Both webinars will be facilitated in a discussion format with the opportunity for registered attendees to participate in a Q&A session.

Please direct any queries to Siblings Australia 📩

https://siblingsaustralia.org.au/services/webinars/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2qCKLt0BoJCTkUEgW8PUNi63wTwIvMYhoQ_MU2Ex0qgGwbLGBATQTLnsU_aem_Pi5tF75eW4RfjqbUwcUliQ&utm_content=sked_668b8ac97ca738d4d5fbd3e6&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook

If you have any professionals involved with your family that would like to know more about home education, this upcoming session may be useful to them. Feel free to share the registration link with them.

https://www.trybooking.com/CTIMZ

One of the most common things people tell us is that the NDIS is hard work.

To help you make your plan work for you instead, we offer 1:1 NDIS problem-solving, skills building and education sessions.

Bring us your to-do list, questions and unsolved problems. We can help you gain clarity, connect to trusted local services and think outside the box with your NDIS funding.

Get in touch now via phone (8736 1705 during business hours), email ([email protected]), or private message.

If your to-do list has reached epic proportions, we also offer overnight STA where one of us will work with you for as long as you need during the day to get through it all.

Get in quick! We still have three overnight STA places at our peaceful Croydon apartment available for the first week of the school holidays.

You'll have the apartment to yourself, apart from whenever you request one of our qualified support workers to assist you. Whether you want to finally tackle that Lego set without interruptions, or plan the rest of the year in peace while we provide your meals, you'll have the time and space you need.

Reach out for more information now via phone (8736 1705), email ([email protected]), or private message.

[Image description: Text reading "Need a break ASAP? 3 Private STA places still available for the first week of school holidays." The Your Next Steps logo is in the corner. There is an image of a person meditating with crossed legs and an open posture. They have short hair and a beard. Their eyes are shut and they look peaceful.]

We're excited to begin offering private STA in Croydon for adult NDIS participants who want a relaxing, supported experience.

Overnight stays are available from as soon as next week in a quiet, private apartment with a qualified disability support worker in the adjacent apartment. You choose how much, or how little, support you need.

We can also offer 1:1 NDIS problem-solving or education sessions during your stay, run by experienced support coordinators.

Your Next Steps is neurodivergent owned and run, and warmly welcomes LGBTQIA+ clients.

[Image description: Text reading "NDIS STA in Croydon from July 1st!" There is an image of a person with long hair in a high bun. They have olive skin and rosy cheeks. They are sitting with their feet up on a couch with cushions, eating a snack and drinking a warm drink. Their eyes are shut and they are smiling. They look very chilled out.]

Your Next Steps offers NDIS problem solving and consultancy sessions, for when you're feeling stuck with your NDIS plan.

Facilities at our new office in Croydon include a kitchenette, bathroom, exercise equipment and a small library of books that you and your children can enjoy during appointments.

Our office is open by appointment only. You can get in touch via phone (8736 1705), email ([email protected]) or Facebook messenger.

[Image description: The Your Next Steps logo followed by the text "Our quiet new office has a kitchen, bathroom, exercise equipment and a small library for you to feel at home". There is an image of a person with white skin, rosy cheeks and long hair relaxing with a drink in a round wicker chair. Their eyes are closed and they are smiling.]

We're excited to announce that we are now offering STA (Short Term Accommodation) in a fully-contained private apartment.

This STA is suitable for adult NDIS participants. It is a quiet, newly-furnished apartment with a trained disability support worker on the same floor. The experience is fully personalized from the firmness of your pillow to the meals provided. You choose how much, or how little, support you would like.

All staff are neurodivergent, qualified and LGBTQIA+ community members or allies.

Reach out now via phone (8736 1705), email ([email protected]), or private message.

[Image description: Text reading "Now offering STA in the heart of Croydon! Are you an adult NDIS participant who wants a supported but private getaway? Get in touch to find out more." An image shows a person with long hair, brown skin and glasses chilling out and reading a book under a cozy blanket. They're smiling and seem pretty pleased with themselves.]

Unfortunately the bathroom is not fully wheelchair accessible at this time. If you have other accessibility needs, please reach out to discuss if we are a good fit for you.

It's really important for young carers' programs funding that we have accurate data about the effect this role has on young people. If you know a young carer, please consider supporting them to fill out this survey.

We're excited to announce that we now have a quiet, private office at 4 Alfrick Road, Croydon.

Our office is open by appointment only. You can get in touch via phone (8736 1705) or email ([email protected]).

[Image description: The Your Next Steps logo followed by the text "is now located at 4 Alfrick Rd, Croydon, 3136, by appointment. There is an image of two teal-colored footprints.]

Weave Chat AAC is a free AAC application available on iOS, Android, and Kindle. It is category-based & completely customizable.
We often get asked "how can you keep the app free?" We are able to keep it free because it is run by myself (an SLP) and my co-founder (an engineer). The costs to maintain the app are minimal and because we both have day jobs there are no salaries to pay. We believe to our core that communication should be accessible to everyone so this app will always be free.

We are very pleased to be running another online Webinar in conjunction with School Can't Australia . The session in Term 1 was very popular, and well-received.

We will be talking about home education for kids with School Can't.

We hope to see you there!

FREE Online Event

Book Here: https://www.trybooking.com/CRPCF

Hey you Rainbow Mob!

It's not too late to register for our Rainbow Mob Family Day tomorrow at 10am! You are welcome to bring your friends and family along aswell.
https://www.trybooking.com/CQCSI

We have some great stalls lined up and Mullum Creations providing catering for the day!

Come tell us what you want to see in this space and win some prizes if you're lucky!

Calling all Rainbow Mob, their families, friends and loved ones!

Switchboard Victoria in partnership with MMIGP are looking at introducing an ongoing yarning circle and support space for Rainbow mob.

We are launching with our Family Day filled with fun activities for all ages, market stalls by skilled blackfullas, delicious tucker, entertainment and plenty more.

Show up and let us know what you want to see in this space!

We look forward to coming together and connecting with you all.

Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/CQCSI

Community organisations who can offer support if you are doing it tough over the festive season.

We will be open over the holidays, but we are unfortunately not able to offer crisis services or material aid.

Happy Holidays from both of us at Your Next Steps!

We support many families whose kids experience School Can’t, where staff report that they “Don’t see any signs of anxiety at school”. Understanding masking is so important to understanding the experience of autistic kids.

What Masking Looks Like In School...

[Image of a perfectly folded origami creation made of blue paper. Text reads, 'Perfectly put together, well behaved'. Below is a crumpled ball of blue paper. Text reads, 'Upset, anger, unable to cope.']

Credit: Lucy Roth (Educational Mental Health Practitioner)

See comments below for deeper dive resources. Many adults might relate to this experience as well.

Rainbow Gym is a great space for trans and non-binary people to get back into exercise. This is a gentle introduction to the program through art therapy.

Art Therapy: Exploring Movement We warmly invite trans, gender diverse and non-binary folks who would like to explore art therapy, and their relationship to 'movement'.

Great professional development opportunity coming up next week for allied health professionals and educators who want to learn more about autism across the lifespan.

RESPECTFUL RESOURCES FOR TALKING TO YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT AUTISM

It is never too soon to introduce young people to respectful representations of Autism and to highlight the importance of learning from Autistic voices. Here are a few of our favourite Autistic-led resources (not exhaustive): https://icannetwork.online/talking-about-autism/.

[Image description: Watercolour background in pastel rainbow hues. Blue text reads: "One of the biggest reasons to talk about Autism positively is so that Autistic children can grow up feeling good about themselves and their peers understand that being Autistic is all right. The more people who hear positive things about Autism when they are young, the better chance we have of building a world that is inclusive." Thomas - I CAN Mentee. I CAN logo in lower right corner.]

➡️➡️➡️Book here: [email protected]/bookings/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

[Image description: Text reads "Booking is now much easier! Book for an in-person or online appointment using the link above - no phone call necessary! Image shows a person with long hair relaxing in a lounge chair, who hasn't needed to make a phone call to get in touch with their support coordinator.]

You can now easily make an appointment to see us (no phone call necessary!), using our online booking form.

[email protected]/bookings/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

There's an option for an in-person meeting or an online telehealth session - so no matter where you are we can still catch up for an NDIS problem-solving session.

Your Next Steps - You can book online! You can now book and manage appointments using our booking page.

We are genuinely excited about the Carers Month at Your Library The Realm in Ringwood.

This is all thriller, no filler! A lot of these sessions are run by local organizations who can also provide further services to you.

As a carer, it can be challenging to attend to your own needs, including financial matters.

Come along to Realm Library and learn more about how an EACH financial counsellor may be able to assist you or someone for whom you provide care.

🟣 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday 1 August 2023

Bookings required:
https://events.yourlibrary.com.au/event?id=42910



Maroondah City Council

First steps for newly diagnosed autistic adults, from Reframing Autism.

We've had a number of messages from newly-identified Autistic adults recently, thrilled to find their identity and community, but also overwhelmed (and understandably so!). Suddenly having validation of your entire existence can feel overwhelming, and you may be left wondering what to do next. Here are some useful first steps based on the experience of the Reframing Autism team: https://reframingautism.org.au/discovering-your-autistic-identity-as-an-adult-what-next/

Whether you’ve had a “light bulb” moment when reading of other Autistics’ lived experiences or have realised that you share an uncanny number of characteristics with your Autistic child – Welcome! from a community of people who will understand and accept you for who you are. ❤️

[ID: A magenta background featuring the Reframing Autism logo at top left and logo knotwork at bottom left. Text in white reads, "Your sensory differences are real and your need to play differently, communicate differently, think differently, love differently – nee exist differently – is a valuable and valid form of Autistic expression. Embrace and accommodate your differences."]

Free resource for teachers, parents and anyone else who wants to know what to do when an autistic person is having a meltdown. It even has a neat acronym, like all good first aid strategies.

Absolutely amazing!

Over the past few months we have been writing a guide on supporting autistic young people with meltdowns. We are very happy to say it is now completed!

Here it is, free to use and share:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n6KOJklw2YTkRUijDteEu3FsgWPtvdpw/view?usp=sharing

The guide was developed alongside autistic young people in our community. Thank you to Autistic Village and The Trauma Informed Social Worker for their valuable input too!

One for the artists!

(Link in post is broken, but check it out here: https://artful.org.au/about/ ).

Do you love to create art? Do you want to win a $1,000 voucher to an online art store and mentoring sessions with an art professional? Yes? Then start preparing for the Artful Art Prize! Visit our website – www.artful.org.au and learn more about this free-to enter accessible and inclusive art competition. As long as you live in Australia, you can enter, regardless of your age or ability. Submissions open on 1 August 2023, so what are you waiting for?