Autism Family Support Association

Useful Links

Rather than prepare a long list of links, AFSA has chosen to list a selection of information based websites and help sites.

Our list focuses on Australian and Victorian websites.

Raising Children Network – Autism

This is a comprehensive site for parents funded by the Australian Government. It has interviews, video clips, information sheets, a therapies guide and much more. This site also has an excellent plain English guide to the NDIS, especially if you are transferring from the HCWA funding to the NDIS funding.

Aspergers Victoria

This website has information about their meetings, services, support groups and resources specific to those with Aspergers, or supporting a family member with Aspergers.

Amaze (formerly Autism Victoria)

This is another site with a huge amount of content primarily for Victorian families and service providers. Their ‘Useful Websites‘ page is very comprehensive and regularly updated.

Guide – Autism and Dental Care

This guide is from the United States and has a lot of very useful information for this often difficult area of management.  We looked around for an Australian equivalent and could find none, so we have posted this link to help families.

Family Relationship Support for Carers (FRSC)

EACH Social and Community Health provides a state wide service for Victorian families caring for someone with a disability – services include a short term counselling service to address family concerns, conflicts and relationship issues, and a community education program helping families to get started and plan for the future via group forums. The FRSC team can be contacted by phone 1300 303 346 or email frsc@each.com.au.

Autism Research

Families often wonder about current ASD research in Australia and how to get involved.  There are many research teams around Australia and they are frequently seeking the support of individuals and families.  If you are interested in research you can sign up to research teams such as OTARC (LaTrobe University) or the Autism CRC (based in Brisbane, but a collaboration of teams around Australia) and receive regular updates.

Find an Advocate

DARU – Disability Advocacy Resource Unit – has developed a directory of organisations for agencies delivering disability advocacy as well as complaints bodies, campaigners, support groups and useful referral and information services.

Carer Gateway

This is a new Australian Government initiative, providing practical information and advice for family carers – it is not autism specific.

Autism Connect National Autism Helpline

This is Australia’s first national autism helpline.  It provides independent information, advice and referral to help autistic people, their supporters and professionals.  You can contact the helpline by phone, email or webchat, Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm EST.  It is operated by Amaze and associated state based organisations.

Securing their Future booklet

The Office of the Public Advocate in conjunction with State Trustees has just released a 2021 version of Securing their Future booklet.  This is a valuable resource for families of people with disability as it outlines all the latest changes to guardianship and administration law, along with information about Wills and financial decisions.  This guide is not a do-it-yourself kit; you should get legal estate planning advice.  However it does help families get started with the what and how of planning and the safeguards that need to be put into place.  The booklet can be downloaded here

Different Journeys

Different Journeys provides social platforms that connect Autistic youth and adults and their families in inclusive, safe and supportive environments.

Victorian Disability Worker Commission

This new Victorian government agency has been established to ensure quality disability workforce standards and is an avenue for consumers to raise concerns about a disability worker’s behaviour or quality of work.

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