When navigating the numerous resources on Autism, advocacy, disability and funding, you can easily find yourself in a maze of information. To assist you through this process, we have some recommended resources below.
Autism Support Organisations
Set out below are details of various organisations that offer services to support parents of children with autism or have links to helpful services and support groups.
Autism: What Next?
Autism Awareness and Amaze have partnered to create a free digital toolkit which acts as a central hub to help families and individuals navigate the first year following an autism diagnosis. Visit the Autism: What Next? website for unbiased, up to date and relevant information and explanations about options for support and intervention. It also contains information about the NDIS and accessing funding. You can search through the website to find information relevant to you or you can click through their “Autism Pathway” digital toolkit to follow a step by step process for options available to you.
AMAZE
Visit www.amaze.org.au/support/useful-links for a list of organisations and support groups that you can search for by suburb and/or specific interest.
Autism Awareness
Asperger Syndrome Support Network Victoria
ASSN run a variety of support groups for parents, carers and individuals with Aspergers. They are a place where you can listen, learn and share about your journey with Aspergers. Attendance is free to members; however, you can attend one or two meetings before joining. Visit www.aspergersvic.org.au for further information.
Autistic Family Support Association
AFSA provide a list of online and face-to-face parent and family support groups around Victoria. See www.afsaconnect.org.au, email: contact@afsaconnect.org.au or phone: 0421 642 364.
Raising Children Network Autism Section
On the Raising Children website, parents will find reliable and scientifically validated information and resources to support them in the day-to-day work of raising children and looking after their own needs. The website is growing all the time and covers a broad range of up-to-date parenting topics. Visit www.raisingchildren.net.au
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
ASAT provides a well-respected, comprehensive website that tackles the array of considerations surrounding autism treatment. Its website is the go-to source for research summaries on the full array of Autism treatments to help families and professionals make informed treatment choices. Visit www.asatonline.org
I CAN Network
The I CAN Network provides mentoring programs to young Autistic people. Read more at www.icannetwork.online
Support for Families
Association for Children with a Disability
ACD is the Victorian advocacy service for children with disability and their families.
First steps to support and connection workshops information here.
Outside the Square Psychology
The psychologists at Outside the Square Psychology have extensive experience working with children who have autism and their families. They are available to provide counselling to parents of children with autism. Call 9889 9932
The Centre of Child Development
The Centre of Child Development has centres in Preston and Hawthorn providing a variety of psychological services.
APS Find a Psychologist
Australian Psychological Society find a psychologist service can link you in with a psychologist in your area, to support your needs.
Carer support (Carer Gateway)
Emotional and practical services and support for carers.
Crisis Support
Self help is important and below are some numbers to call when in need of support:
- Parent line: 1300 30 1300
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Suicide call back service:1300 659 467
- Emergency services: 000
Children and Young People with a Disability
Promoting equal opportunity and full inclusion for children and young people with disability (0-25 years) across Australia. Find out more at cyda.org.au/
Information Resources for students with disability and their caregivers
The Australian Government worked with Children and Young People with Disability Australia to co-design information resources to help students with disability and their caregivers understand their rights under the Disability Standards for Education 2005.
Disability Advocates
The Learning for Life Autism Centre acknowledges the important role advocates play and each clients’ right to access an advocate. Information about disability advocacy and accessing an advocate can be found on:
In addition, Valid, a not for profit based in Richmond (Victoria) that focuses on empowering, informing and advocating for individuals with disability, provides a list of Victorian advocacy organisations and key groups providing information, legal support and complaints handling for people with disability and their families.
The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline
The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline (The Hotline), is a free, independent and confidential service for reporting abuse and neglect of people with disability.
Anyone can contact the Hotline, including family members, friends, service providers or a person with disability.
The Hotline works with callers to find appropriate ways of dealing with reports of abuse and neglect of people with disability.
The Hotline will encourage the notifier to seek advocacy support if needed.
To make a report, contact the Hotline on 1800 880 052 or send an email to: hotline@workfocus.com.
NDIS and Funding Resources
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national scheme established to support people with disability and provide funding directly to individuals.
The Victorian Disability Worker Commission
The VDWC administers the Disability Service Safeguards Act 2018 (Vic), including setting registration standards for registered Victorian disability workers, registering Victorian disability workers, investigating complains about registered and unregistered workers and, prohibiting workers from providing disability services.
Find a registered worker, read the code of conduct, make a complaint, notify the commission of misconduct or check prohibition orders.
Read, Watch and Listen
Magazines
The Source Kids magazine is a resource that has been created by parents, for parents.​
Audio & Video
Autism Awareness have curated a list of podcasts and videos for you to select from.
Books
Autism Awareness have a great range of books they have curated so you don't have to.
Recommendations from our Family Support Manager
Family support
Autism Awareness: Getting support for your family
Source Kids Apps to help independence and living skills
Online Safety
Resources tailored to young people’s online experiences
Get in Touch
Learning for Life is a Not For Profit supporting autistic and other neurodivergent children to develop skills that promote independence and choice. If you'd like to learn more about our services and programmes or supports for your family get in touch with us below.
