Autism is a lifelong developmental condition, affecting around one in 100 people. It’s often characterised by difficulty in social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviours and interests. An estimated 164,000 Australians are on the autism spectrum, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
People on the autism spectrum may have:
Sourced with permission from Aspect Australia.
The following links are to websites that will help you identify whether your child may be on the autism spectrum.
Remember that these are just guides and it’s always best to speak directly with a professional for a diagnosis.
Early intervention programs are an important first step for children with autism and other developmental concerns. Early diagnosis followed by individualised early intervention can provide the best opportunities for achieving their potential.
Helping Children with Autism (HCWA)
DSS has established a panel of early intervention service providers to deliver evidence based services to eligible children as part of the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) package.
You can also contact them via the Early Intervention Helpdesk on:
Phone: 1800 778 581 (located in Perth)
Email: early.intervention@dss.gov.au
Helpdesk opening hours: AWST (Perth time) from 9:00am -12:30pm and 1:30pm – 4:30pm
For other languages, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 and ask them to contact the Helpdesk for you.
First Steps For Autism
The First Steps For Autism Program offered by the Autism Association of Western Australia, is designed for children aged zero to seven years old.
Medicare Support
Medicare items supporting early diagnosis and treatment of children with autism or any other pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) can be found here: Department of Health HCWA Medicare Items Fact Sheet
TOBY (Therapy Outcomes By You) Autism Therapy App
This unique, best practice early intervention iPad app allows parents with newly diagnosed children to start early intervention at home and really take control of their child’s development.
Designed for 2-4 year olds, TOBY contains over 330 Onscreen and Real World (off screen) activities, teaching 52 skills across 4 foundational learning areas.
TOBY 5-7’s has recently been made available to provide therapy for early primary school aged children.
TOBY is evidence-based and has recently been deemed effective after a 2-year clinical trial by Telethon Kids Institute, making it the world’s first app clinically proven to enhance developmental outcomes. For more information about TOBY visit their website, or you can download the apps from iTunes:
For information about Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment and diagnosis, please browse through the following organisations links:
Paediatricians, suitably experienced psychologists and speech pathologists in private practices can also provide diagnosis information and autism assessments.
Western Australian Autism Diagnostics Forum (WAADF) has a list of diagnosing health professionals.
*Seeking a diagnosis privately is often quicker but financially more expensive.
For adults seeking an assessment and diagnosis, the best way forward is meet with a clinical psychologist and/or psychiatrist who has a deep understanding of autism and experience with the formal assessment and diagnosis process.
The Raising Children Network Parent Guide to Therapies offers reliable information about a wide range of therapies and interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
PECS
Psychological and Educational Consultancy Services (PECS) is a Perth-based psychology practice that has been conducting psychological and educational assessments for children, adolescents and adults for over 18 years. For more information:
Phone: (08) 9388 8044
Address: Suite 9/336 Churchill Ave, Subiaco, WA 6008
Website: www.registeredpsychologist.com.au
ISADD
Intervention Services for Autism and Developmental Delay (ISADD) provides individual counselling for adolescents and adults. A behavioural, CBT approach is usually used. To contact ISADD:
Phone: (08) 9227 6888
Address: The Garden Office Park, Ground Floor Building A, 355 Scarborough Beach Road OSBORNE PARK WA 6916
Email: admin@isaddwa.org
Website: https://isaddwa.org
Child Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
The Child Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) provides mental health programs to infants, children and young people up to the age of 17. This includes services in the community and in a hospital setting.
There are 10 Community CAMHS clinic locations across the Perth metropolitan area. These clinics provide assessment and treatment of mental health difficulties in infants, children and young people. The contact details of each clinic is listed below:
Armadale – (08) 9391 2455
Bentley – (08) 9416 3900
Clarkson – (08) 9304 6200
Fremantle – (08) 9435 9700
Hillarys – (08) 9403 1999
Peel – (08) 6559 5100
Rockingham – (08) 9528 0555
Shenton – (08) 9381 7055
Swan – (08) 9250 5777
Warwick – (08) 6373 8500
For urgent mental health issues, call the CAMHS Urgent mental health support line on1800 048 636 (24×7 in collaboration with the Mental Health Emergency Response Line).
Carers WA
Carers WA has a professional and confidential telephone counselling service that can help carers discover effective ways of coping with the everyday challenges of caring. The service is used by carers throughout the state, secure in the knowledge that there is someone they can contact for support, who understands their needs and is able to guide them to appropriate services:
Carers Counselling Line
Phone: 1800 007 332 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm) – Freecall
The Kids Helpline
The Kids helpline is a 24×7 free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25 in Australia. To find out more:
Phone: 1800 551 800
Website: https://kidshelpline.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kidshelpline
Lifeline Australia
Lifeline WA provides all Western Australians experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Their service is a nationally-routed crisis support number, available every day of the year, from any location in Australia. It is available to anyone – regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.
Contact Lifeline WA on:
Phone: 13 11 14 (24×7 Crisis Support)
Chat online here (7:00pm – 12:00am (Syd time) 7 days
You can also access help resources online.
beyondblue
beyondblue creates mentally healthy environments and supports people across Australia – whatever their age and wherever they live.
All calls to their support services are one-on-one with trained mental health professional, and completely confidentiality.
Beyondblue Support Service
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24×7)
Chat online (3pm to 12am (AEST) every day
Autism Connect
Phone: 1300 308 699 (8am to 7pm – Monday to Friday)
Website: www.amaze.org.au/autismconnect
Autism Advisory and Services Support (AASS)
Phone: 1300 222 777 (24 Hour Autism Hotline)
Ngala Parenting Line – for families of children aged 0-18
Phone: (08) 9368 9368 (7 days a week – 8.30am to 5pm) or 1800 111 546 (Country Access – 7 days a week – 8am to 8pm) *Call-back service – they will call you back as soon as possible)
Below is also a list of organisations that offer Respite Care Services throughout WA:
INKA Respite
Address: 44 Haub Rd, Lake Clifton WA 6215
Phone: (08) 9316 3230
Website: http://inkarespite.com/
ACTIV Foundation
Address: 327 Cambridge St, Wembley WA 6162
Phone: (08) 9387 0555
Website: www.activ.asn.au/
The Disability Services Commission (DSC) also have a Respite search option online.
Do you need assistance with financial support? Contact us to find out about what options are available to you and your family, and to ensure you’re accessing all of the funding available.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a new way of providing support to Australians with disability, their families and carers.
NDIS provides you with more choice and control, giving you the ability to choose the supports you need, as well as how, when, where and who provides that support. Funding levels are tailored to the supports you need to achieve your life goals.
If you have NDIS funding, you can access Spectrum Space’s services. For more information contact us on info@spectrumspace.org.au.
Services Australia provides payments and services to help you if you have a disability and it means you can’t work, or can only do a limited amount of work.
Disability Pension
Phone: 132 717
Website: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/living-with-disability
Community Living and Participation Grants provide up to $10,000 for customised solutions that support people with disability to participate in family and community life. People with disability can apply for equipment, resources, activities and projects connected to their particular social and recreational goals.
Phone: (08) 9242 5544
Website: www.clpg.org.au/
The Autism Extension Program (AEP) is supported by Autism Education Services and is supported by the Department of Education’s Centre for Inclusive Schooling.
The AEP’s are based in several schools with more are being added each year.
For additional schooling options there is an Australian Schools Directory search which lists all Government and Private schools in Australia so that parents can easily find the type of school they want in any location in Australia.
Here are some other useful resources:
School of Special Educational Needs: Disability
School of Isolated and Distance Education (SIDE)
Association of Independent Schools WA (AISWA)
Home Based Learners Network WA is a volunteer, non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting all Western Australian home based learners.
Specialisterne Australia is an organisation helping employers understand, value, and integrate the unique perspective and capabilities of people on the autism spectrum.
Disability Employment Australia undertakes a range of functions designed to support our members to achieve best practice service provision in their role to find employment outcomes for people with disability.
Click here to access the provider search for Western Australia.
Tel: 08 6253 9500
Web: www.sscls.asn.au
Tel: 08 9221 9322
Email: administrator@communitylegalwa.org.au
Web: www.communitylegalwa.org.au
For general legal advice:
Tel: 1300 650 579
Web: www.legalaid.wa.gov.au
Tel (08) 9445 9991
Web: www.capw.org.au
Tel (08) 9420 7279
Web: www.pwdwa.org
The Autism Parents’ Handbook is available to download from the Developmental Disability WA website here.
Spectrum Space has several print copies available for pickup at our office. If you would like a copy posted, please order through DDWA here (fees may apply).
It is widely recognised that many individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have abilities and strengths well suited to employment in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry. Despite this, their overall employment rate remains marginal.
This report embeds current knowledge, as reported in literature, together with data obtained by observations and interviews from three existing strength-based ICT-groups.
The report is available on the BCEC website.
Be My Koorda Support Group
An Indigenous and TSI Support Group for parents and children with autism and other disabilities. Aims to support and inform about services, educate and advocate.
Contact: Evelyn McKay
Phone: 0416 047 604
Email: evelyndmckay@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bemykoorda/
Camp Autism WA provides exciting fun-filled camps for children (aged 5 to 25) with disability, and has been supporting families and carers for over 30 years. Each camp has a qualified and experienced Supervisor and a number of volunteer support leaders from the community.
Click here for the Camp Autism WA website.
There are a wealth of online stores and local shops where you can purchase toys for kids with autism. Here are a few:
My Diffability – www.mydiffability.com.au/
The Therapy Store – www.thetherapystore.com.au/
Sensory Oasis for Kids – www.sensoryoasisforkids.com.au/
Skill Builders – www.skillbuilders.com.au/
The Sensory Specialist – www.thesensoryspecialist.com.au/
Books about autism and a collection of therapy toys can be loaned from the following:
Kites Toybox (formerly ACTIV Learning & Discovery Centre, Noah’s Ark WA and ACTIV Library)
Address: 16 Sunbury Road, Victoria Park WA 6100
Phone: (08) 9311 8222
Email: toybox@kitestherapy.org.au
Website: www.kitestherapy.org.au/toybox/
Are you interested in a sport? Don’t know of any clubs you could participate in?
DLGSC – People with disability
WADSA – WA Disabled Sports Association Inc.
WADSA provides a directory of sports and recreation activities in Perth. They also run sporting events and come and try days.
WADSA also specialises in modified equipment! From Archery to Frisbee Golf and NERF Guns to Remote Cars, WADSA will help with an assortment of activities.
Click here for the WADSA website.
Inclusion WA
Do you want to get involved in activities in your local area? Do you want more information about local clubs and groups? You can contact Inclusion WA for recreation advice.
Click here for the Inclusion WA website.
Disability Services Commission
DSC offers links on recreation and leisure activities.
Click here for the DSC website.
STARZ Dance Classes
STARZ Dance Classes are for children and teens with special needs. The dance classes combine elements of modern, funk and hip hop dance. The classes are designed to enhance students overall wellbeing and enjoyment!
Click here for Perth Dance etc website.
Netball For All
The No Limits competition provides an opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities to participate in a competitive environment that promotes social inclusion and participation.
Click here for more information.
WA Integrated Football League
This program is in partnership with the West Australian Football Commission, WAAFL, Disability Services Commission, Inclusion WA and Department of Sport and Recreation.
The WA Integrated Football Program provides opportunities for players with an intellectual disability from 16 years of age, to participate in weekly training sessions, fortnightly games and to be totally integrated in all Club events.
Click here for more information.
RoboGals
Robogals Perth is a student run volunteer organisation based at the University of Western Australia and their primary goal is to increase the numbers of females undertaking engineering, science and technology at University.
Using programmable robots, they teach the principles of engineering in a fun and creative manner. No prior experience in robotics necessary!
Further details can be found on the RoboGals website.
The Companion Card is for people with a significant and permanent disability, who require attendant care support in order to participate at community venues and activities are always going to need a high level of care to get to community based activities. Cardholders present their card when booking or purchasing a ticket from a participating business. Participating businesses will recognise the Companion Card and issue the cardholder with a second ticket for their companion at no charge.
You may be eligible for the Qantas Carer Concession Card on domestic flights with Qantas, including your carer.
Click here for more information.
Indigo Australasia (formerly The Independent Living Centre WA) provide assistive technology and equipment as well as a range of other services to help enable Western Australians of all ages and abilities to live more independent and fulfilling lives.
TADWA (Technology Assisting Disability WA) – is a not for profit organisation established to deliver solutions for independence and safety for people with disabilities, older people and carers:
The following are recommended hairdressers for children with autism:
Hilarious Kidz
Address: 148 Scarborough Beach Rd, Mount Hawthorn WA 6016
Phone: (08) 6444 4182
Banana Skins
Address: Shop 2/30 – 32 Ardross Street, 6153 Applecross
Phone: (08) 9315 1611
Haircon
Address: 64 Walter Road, Bedford, WA, 6052
Phone: (08) 9271 1176
The following are recommended driving instructors for those with autism:
DRIVE – Perth
Website: DrivePerth.com.au
Driving Occupational Therapy Services
Website: DrivingOTServices.com
Drive and Pass
Website: driveandpass.com.au
Research is important in developing and improving our understanding and approach to autism. Here are links to current research projects.
Note: Spectrum Space does not undertake research, however we like to be as involved as we can and collaborate with others when they need it. Many of these projects are looking for people like you to help them and take part in their research.
