Friend in Me is a registered Australian charity that promotes social inclusion and acceptance in children through sensory friendly events, workshops and online programs. As the Secretary and Legal Director of Friend and Me, I am very passionate and proud of this charity. This year has been incredibly difficult for Friend in Me (like it …
It’s funny how sometimes we take life for granted. You get up in the morning and you just follow your usual routine because that’s life. But every now and then, something will happen to actually make you stop for a moment and think. This month I have been surprised by a few people who have …
Last month we embarked on a new part of our journey through Autism. It was time to test Jayden’s sensory profiling. Jayden’s life, just like any child on the spectrum, is a constant round-a-bout of tests, questions and uncertainty. We are so grateful to D.O.T.S Occupational Therapy for Children for explaining this process to us …
As a lot of you may already know, our son, Jayden has Autism. In our most recent newsletter, Spectrum Speaks Vol. 4, we looked at whether the reason we spread information about Autism is because we want our son included, or whether it is because we want him accepted or understood. In a recent discussion …
I can’t believe the day is here, Jayden’s first day of Prep!! I know many people say, “where has the time gone?” and it sounds like such a cliché – but WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE!? Today, marks the start of our next chapter, next adventure, or next goal/hurdle. In 2017 when we received the …
Recently, Seven News aired a story about a family with an autistic child, who received a letter in their letterbox from their neighbour complaining about noise. The “noise” they were complaining about was the screaming of their autistic child. Noise sensitivity, emotional regulation and non-verbal communication are difficulties people with autism deal with every day. …
As a mum of three children and an owner of a business, I don’t often have time to just sit and listen. But every now and then, I make a point to stop what I’m doing – and for a moment, just listen. Try it now. Just stop whatever you are doing and listen to …
Have you ever thought about what autism is? Autism Spectrum Disorder, also known as ASD, is a disorder that can affect how someone can think, feel, communicate, behave and interact with others. I must admit, it is not a condition I had really given much thought to before my brother was diagnosed with Autism. I …
We are Donna’s parents, and the grandparents of her children, Alisha, Bianca, and Jayden. As grandparents, we always want what is best for our grandchildren, all of them. We want to support our children and grandchildren and protect them from the cruelties of the world. So, when someone tries to tell you that one of …
Many of us have not enjoyed living in “isolation” (although a few of us may have secretly enjoyed staying in pjs all day!). But although this feeling of isolation is new for a lot of people, for some ASD parents, isolation is a constant feeling. Sometimes from their own fears and other times because of …