Bendigo Autistic Advocacy and Support Service
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Supports
Finding support- and the right kind of support - can be important.
A good support system is important particularly in the early days after initial diagnosis- as you process this new information about yourself/family member or child/ren.
There are some great supports and resources online and possibly within your local or nearby community and there is more information available on our website pages such as:
Informative Links, available here
New to Autism/Diagnosis, available here
Assessment and Diagnosis, available here.
Neurodiversity, available here
Therapy, available here
Disability and Education, information about inclusion and many resources available here
Erin Human has developed a great list of autistic supports including blogs and writings by autistic adults and youth- authors, advocates and more. You can find this resource here.
We are constantly working on updating and adding to our website, to provide as much information as possible. Please note that inclusion of information for available supports and services is not an endorsement of that service. We will not include any organisations we know to overtly oppose our Values, although also note- a service not being listed here does not indicate that it is not in line with our Values.
The Autistic Community
A really important form of support can be the autistic community itself. Linking in with the autistic community- meaning autistic adults and youth/ children can be invaluable- many autistic people and their families/carers find it extremely beneficial to link in with the autistic community-locally, online and in the right groups.
Supports for autistic adults and children.
We are compiling a list of writing on supports for autistic people, written by autistic adults and youth.
You can also find more information relating to inclusive education on our webpage 'Education, Autism, Inclusion & Your Rights' here.
Click on the linked/blue text to be redirected to the article.
Surviving the difficult days
Advice and information from autistic adults and youth
Workplace support for autistic people- informative articles
- 5 supports that changed my life. Erin Human at E is for Erin found here.
- Accommodations- They make all the difference. Amy Sequenzia at Ollibean found here.
- Executive function strategies. Cynthia Kim at Musings of an Aspie found here.
- Executive function and emotional labour. Michelle Sutton at Michelle Sutton Writes found here.
- Acceptance as a Wellbeing Practice. Cynthia Kim at Musings of an Aspie found here.
Surviving the difficult days
Advice and information from autistic adults and youth
- Tips for surviving difficult weeks and months. Briannon Lee for Respectfully Connected. Read it here.
Workplace support for autistic people- informative articles
- Autistic Access Needs- Notes on Accessibility. Autistic Self Advocacy Network article available here.
- Accommodations- They make all the difference. Amy Sequenzia at Ollibean found here.
- Fidgets. Shifting your mindset for learning success. BAASS view the infographic and documents here.
Support Options and Services
Please note that this is not an endorsement and BAASS is not necessarily affiliated with listed organisations.
We want to provide a range of options that may be suitable for you. Some of these organisations may not use the terminology or approaches completely in line with BAASS preferences.
Please thoroughly consider any service or support staff before engaging them. We recommend speaking with potential support staff and organisations before engaging them.
Bendigo Autism Aspergers Group (BAAG)
BAAG provides informal supports such as group member catch ups and local events such as christmas gatherings and afternoon tea.
BAAG also facilitates some wonderful opportunities for the local community by hosting presentations by speakers addressing topics of interest to the group and general public..
You can visit the BAAG webpage here or the facebook page here.
Aftercare
Aftercare staff can provide individual, carer, family and group supports and can also support with NDIS plans and reviews.
Aftercare can also assist with employment and accommodation.
The Aftercare website is available here.
Golden City Support Services
Golden City Support Services is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation providing a range of services for people with disability, mental illness and older people. You can visit the GCSS website here.
Rights Information and Advocacy Centre (RIAC)
RIAC is a not-for-profit organisation providing advocacy and support services with a focus on wellbeing of individuals, families, carers and communities.
The RIAC website is available here.
Support Angels
Support Angels provides various services aimed at flexible support. Listed supports are aged care, disability care and child care.
You can visit the Support Angels website here and their facebook page here.
Carer Support
Carers Australia
Provide care and support to family members and friends of disabled people- children/youth/adults/aged.
Information about Carers Australia or to find support in your area, access the page found here.
Carers Victoria
Carers Victoria provides care and support to family members and friends of disabled people- children/youth/adults/aged.
More information on Carers Victoria can be found on their website here.
Information about services and supports Carers Victoria provides can be found on the Services page of their website here.
Carer Support Services- Bendigo Health
Carer Support Services provide short term crisis support for families. Information about Carer Support Services can be found here.
We can help you with the referral if you would like support or information. Please email us and/or visit our advocacy page here.
Financial Assistance/Funding
Further information including payment options and eligibility can be found on the Centrelink page here.
You can visit our NDIS page here, which provides some basic information and links to further information.
The NDIS can be contacted by telephone on 1800 800 110 or the website is available here.
How can NDIS help?
Supports you may be able to access with NDIS depend on your support needs.
Some examples of what you may be able to access with an NDIS Plan include:
Please note this is dependent on factors such as your support needs, diagnoses and evidence of support required.
*Accessing support workers
*Support with independence and accessing the community
*Assistance with accessing employment
*Accessing therapists such as Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Speech Therapists etc.
More information on supports you can access with NDIS and their categories can be read here.
Our NDIS information page can be viewed here. Please note, we are constantly adding to our website.
VPTAS - Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme
Information on VPTAS can be found here.
An editable application form can be downloaded below.
- Centrelink
Further information including payment options and eligibility can be found on the Centrelink page here.
- NDIS
You can visit our NDIS page here, which provides some basic information and links to further information.
The NDIS can be contacted by telephone on 1800 800 110 or the website is available here.
How can NDIS help?
Supports you may be able to access with NDIS depend on your support needs.
Some examples of what you may be able to access with an NDIS Plan include:
Please note this is dependent on factors such as your support needs, diagnoses and evidence of support required.
*Accessing support workers
*Support with independence and accessing the community
*Assistance with accessing employment
*Accessing therapists such as Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Speech Therapists etc.
More information on supports you can access with NDIS and their categories can be read here.
Our NDIS information page can be viewed here. Please note, we are constantly adding to our website.
- Travel/Transport financial assistance options.
VPTAS - Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme
Information on VPTAS can be found here.
An editable application form can be downloaded below.
vptas_family_support_form_fa2_interactive.pdf | |
File Size: | 68 kb |
File Type: |
Mobility Allowance
For those not eligible for the NDIS, they may be eligible for Mobility Allowance.
More information on Mobility Allowance can be found here.
Those eligible for the NDIS can access transport funding through their NDIS Plan if their transport financial needs meet eligibility criteria.
NDIS Transport funding information and eligibility can be found here.