Autism forum at Woodend - Understanding the challenges for adolescents with an ASD

Photo: Shantelle Images

Insight into adolescents with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will be offered by specialist psychiatrist, Emeritus Professor Bruce Tonge. 

Cobaw Community Health will host a question and answer forum with the professor to help understand the issues facing adolescents with ASD. 

"This forum is for parents, teachers, youth and community workers and anyone who knows someone with an ASD," Cobaw children's services coordinator, Prue Southey says.

"Adolescents with an ASD have unique challenges as they struggle to understand the social rules that are constantly changing. This is difficult for parents, teachers and their peers to understand."

"This question and answer forum is part of the broader Autism Awareness campaign that has been happening around the Macedon Ranges for the past few weeks and will continue until the end of April as part of Autism awareness month."

Statistics show about one in one hundred people are diagnosed with ASD. 

Professor Tonge is a psychiatrist who has specialised in autism and other mental health issues associated with ASDs for children and adolescents. He has a distinguished record in practice, teaching and research. 

"Adolescence can be a tricky period for everyone, but especially young people with Autism," Professor Tonge says.

"Parents need reliable information to reduce family stress associated with having a young person with an ASD. They need effective strategies to help improve the adaptive behaviours of young people with autism."

Jack, 15, has Aspergers disorder, a diagnosis under the umbrella of ASD.

"I sometimes feel like something is wrong with me, like something is broken," Jack explains.

Macedon Ranges Autism Network convener Fiona Le Nepveu says feeling out of place or different is a common issue young people with ASD.

"Through accurate, evidence-based information and practical strategies, families and professionals can be better equipped to guide children and young people with an ASD through this period of their lives," she says.

Colenso Café Woodend is sponsoring the event. Owner, Kathryn Russack, says she is passionate about the ASD cause. 

"We seem to be hearing more from friends and family about autism and it seems like an issue on the rise. This event enables people to access the right sort of information and support which is important," she says. 

Questions for the forum must be submitted prior ahead of the event. If you have a question you would like discussed please send to prue.southey@cobaw.vic.gov.au this evening (Friday).

The forum will be on Monday, April 22, 6-8pm, at the Woodend Community Hub, 47 Forest Street. The cost is $10 and includes a light supper.

Macedon Ranges Blue

Macedon Ranges Blue is the local autism awareness campaign, part of the national, Autism Speaks Light it up Blue initiative. See article, Light on autism awareness (Guardian, 28/03/13), for more information.
Local Events during Autism Awareness Month:

April 2 
World Autism day 
Landmarks will be lit up blue 
Romsey - tree, fountain and shops
Woodend- clock tower Gisborne- fountain
Lancefield - businesses and shops

April 1 - 7
Blue autism awareness displays
Visual displays and information in business windows in Romsey 

April 4
Fundraising dinner for Playconnect autism spectrum disorder playgroup 
Sicilian Vespers Restaurant, Main Road, Romsey
Tino Fichera, 5429 3909

April 6
* Barbecue at Romsey Skate Park 
Short walk and balloon release
Kids activities
Romsey Lions Reserve/Romsey Skate Park 
12 - 2.30pm
* Lions Club visit with Righteous pup (autism spectrum disorder trained companion dog)
Romsey Lions Reserve/Romsey Skate Park 
* Romsey Football Club 
Blue practice match players run through blue banner and wear blue arm bands

Each Friday
* Playconnect, ASD playgroup for children from diagnoses to school (2-6 years) 
Romsey Community Hub 
* All Abilities kids health and fitness programs
Kids come and try day
Romsey Community Stadium
Mel Traynor, 0430 370 361

April 10
Macedon Ranges support group 
Morning tea 
Ethic Cafe, Woodend
Fiona Le Nepveu, 5421 1693

April 20
Pie eating competition
Fundraiser for the Macedon Ranges Autism Specturn Disorder Support Group 
Giveaways and prizes
Country Cob Bakery, Mollison Street, Kyneton 
10.30am 
Kate Neale, 0427 226 645

April 24
Macedon Ranges support group lunch 
Country Cob Bakery, Mollison Street, Kyneton 
12.30pm
Kate Neale, 0427 226 645

April 22
Question and answer session
Professor Tonge
Autism and adolescence
For parents, school staff, youth workers
Cobaw Community Health Woodend, 47 Forest Street 
6 - 8pm
Supper provided
Cobaw 5421 1680

April 29
May 6
May 13
Autism spectrum disorder in preschool years
Three professional development sessions for kinder and childcare staff
Cobaw Community Health Woodend, 47 Forest Street 
6 - 8pm
Fiona Le Nepveu 5421 1693

Month of April 
* Primary and secondary schools awareness activities
Cobaw staff will provide talks to schools in Macedon Ranges
* Macedon Ranges schools get on board to fundraise and raise awareness and acceptance of difference
Blue activities
For Amaze (Autism Victoria)
* Amaze will offer the Supporting Differences program to schools in the Macedon Ranges
To raise awareness of differences in the classroom and understanding students with an autism spectrum disorder

End of April 
Raffle drawn 
Fundraiser for Macedon Ranges Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Group


For more information on these events, please contact Macedon Ranges Blue organiser, Shantelle Grant on 0411 444 447. 

Eyes on the pies!

Declan and Kate Neale of County Cob Bakery in Kyneton invite you to enter their pie eating competition in support of Autism Awareness Month this April.

April is Autism Awareness Month and to celebrate and raise awareness and funds, Country Cob Bakery in Kyneton will be hosting a pie eating competition on Saturday, April 20, at 10.30am. 

Owners, Declan and Kate Neale, are looking for members of the local community to participate as entrants and seek sponsorship per pie consumed and/or donations. All funds raised will go towards Romsey Play Connect - supporting families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

Giveaways and prizes on offer!

If you or someone you may know is interested, contact the bakery via FB or call in to the shop at 130 Mollison Street, or phone Declan on 0409 700 513. 

How about asking your football coach, teacher, local police or CFA to stuff their face with pie for a good cause!

A FINALIST!

Following on from its recent success at the Baking Association of Australia's (BAA) 'Easter in the Fruit Bowl Competition', Country Cob Bakery was recently named a finalist in the Australia Small Business Champion Awards, Bakery/Cake category. 

Declan and Kate will head to Sydney in April for the Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation at The Grand Ballroom at The West in Sydney hosted by Gretel Killeen.

Good luck guys!

Light on autism awareness

Romsey sisters, Alice, 10, Abbie (back) 13, and Libby Quigley, 8, are supporters of the Macedon Ranges Blue autism awareness campaign. Photo: Shantelle Images

Kylie Kitchen 

One in 100 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

It's a high statistic, yet many people misunderstand the condition because it presents in such different ways in different people and is often mistaken for naughty or anti-social behaviour. 

Anyone who has ever judged a parent with a tantrum-throwing child in tow could be guilty of judging a mum or dad with an autistic child.

Romsey mother and integration aide, Shantelle Grant, is working to create awareness and understanding for autistic children and their families with the month-long Macedon Ranges Blue event. 

Shantelle's eight-year-old daughter was diagnosed with ASD when she was three-and-a-half.

"I still remember the first day I had to say to a parent, 'my child has autism, please give her some space'. I still remember that day because you do feel so lost and not as good because your child's not doing what's expected," Shantelle said.

Shantelle said parents of autistic children are often alienated in society. 

While accepting the diagnosis and taking their children to the many medical appointments, they are also dealing with judgement from strangers and rejection from friends. 

"It's really hard for parents, especially in society when they're made to feel that they're not good enough parents or they've done something wrong," she said.

Shantelle's daughter is a happy, bubbly girl, with a wicked sense of humour. Her ASD presents in strong drawing skills and an incredible memory for the details of her passions such as movies and dinosaurs. ASD is also evident in her social and emotional struggles. 

"She wants to play with her peers but doesn't know how. She always wants to be around her friends but sometimes it doesn't go quite right, so you have to gauge a lot of her social activity," Shantelle said.

Shantelle works with many ASD children and families as facilitator of the Play Connect ASD playgroup.

She said although all the children experience ASD differently, they share a sensitivity to the world around them - whether it be a reaction to loud noise, bright lights, certain smells, tastes or textures. 

"Their world is so different to ours," Shantelle said.

"They find things very overwhelming. They're very sensory-based children. All their senses are heightened, that's why their reactions are more extreme."

People with ASD have difficulty with communication, change, and flexible thinking. 

"They don't use the emotions they're feeling, they don't pick up on social cues, they suffer a lot of anxiety, and they don't cope well when they're not prepared for change, that's why they love routine," Shantelle said.

"I say to people put your hand on their heart and you'll feel how fast it beats and that gives you an insight into the anxiety they feel and what might be going on in their head."

There is no cure for ASD, it is a lifelong disability. 

Autism affects just as many adults as children, and many are undiagnosed. 

The message of Macedon Ranges Blue, part of the national Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue campaign, is awareness and understanding for all people and their differences.

Throughout April, events will be held in Kyneton, Woodend and Romsey to educate, advocate and fundraise for ASD. 

"It's about teaching people to understand and accept people who are different, without them being considered not good enough or teased," Shantelle said.

"My dream would be for people to be aware and have empathy and understanding for all children and adults, not just those with autism."

On Tuesday, World Autism Day, Romsey will light up blue. Landmarks will be illuminated to symbolise the launch of the Macedon Ranges Blue events. See the full events listing in next week's Midland Express or in Macedon Ranges Blue.