eContact Issue #4 Out Now

Our Summer Issue of eContact is ready now. Thank you for the positive feedback about our eContact.  Please share it with others you know with an interest in autism – and encourage them to register as a member of AFSA. We currently have 268 registered members – all have a family member or members with autism.

AFSA Agendas of Issues 2021-23

The AFSA committee has updated its three Agenda Statements covering Autism Issues 2021-23, Education Issues 2021-23 and NDIS Issues 2021-23. You can download a copy of each agenda – the AFSA committee uses these documents to inform government, services and the community of our concerns and lived experiences as parents/carers of family members with autism, ASD and complex needs.  You can reference items from these documents – but please acknowledge AFSA as the source.

eContact Issue #2 Out Now

Our Winter Issue of eContact is ready now.  We are all still facing many challenges in this post COVID period.  Lockdowns maybe behind us and we can start to meet in person, but for many families the return to normal is very slow with loads of new challenges. One of our members has shared their journey in Your Voice. In NDIS Matters we have a look at what the incoming Minister responsible for the NDIS has been saying post-election – there is certainly a positive vibe within the disability community. Read More in our latest newsletter.

Disability Services for Adults

We have identified several concerns – emerging and ongoing – experienced by AFSA members with autistic adult family members.  We will be distributing this document to government, disability services and advocacy agencies. You can reference items from this document – but please acknowledge AFSA as the source.

Victorian Carers Strategy

AFSA has received two grants from the Victorian Carers Strategy Supporting Carers Locally (SCL) program (2020 – 2022).

Despite many impediments due to COVID restrictions we have arranged for a range of Nurturing, Belonging and Friendship Special Treats to over 100 AFSA families between 2020 & 2022.  These include

• Village Cinema special screenings and Gold Class vouchers
• Social functions at the Angliss Restaurant in Melbourne
• Grazing Boxes
• Carers Retreat – in partnership with Carers Victoria
• Succession Planning course – in partnership with VALID
• Lunch and guest speaker