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.

Hub site proposed

Grant Avenue Kinder will relocate in the future to form part of the proposed Gisborne Early Years Hub.
Photo: Chris Fleming

Investigations into the Gisborne Early Years Hub location has listed the land between the Gisborne Public Cemetery and the Gisborne Secondary School as a possibility.

Macedon Ranges Council selected the location from a confidential list of proposed sites in the town.

It follows council's controversial decision late last year to approve Daly Nature Reserve as the location, subsequently withdrawing the decision following public backlash.

The newly proposed site, on Melton Gisborne Road, is State Government-owned and is currently used as a pine plantation.

"Of all of the sites, we prioritised this one for further investigation because it has the required space to build a hub," Mayor, Cr Roger Jukes said.

"It's also well-located to service Gisborne including the growth areas on the south side of the town, and has good car, cycling and walking access," he said.

Cr Jukes said this block also gives two potential options for access to the site, either from Aitken Street or Melton Gisborne Road.

This will depend on how council decides to use the site in terms of building placement. The process will involve obtaining feedback from key stakeholders.

Initial consultation has begun with stakeholders who may have an interest in the project. This includes the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Gisborne Cemetery Trust, Gisborne Kindergarten and Gisborne Secondary College.

Residents close to the site have also been informed of council's interest in the land and have been invited to put their views to council on the proposal.

"Once we've got the feedback from this initial consultation stage, ouncil will consider if the site has sufficient merit to progress to a more detailed investigation," Cr Jukes said.

"This would include soil and vegetation studies, a traffic study and broader community consultation.

"However, there is still a very long way to go.

Even if the site proved suitable in every way we still have to negotiate with DEECD to secure the site and then find the money to build the hub," he said.

Previous estimates put the cost of building an Early Years Hub at $3.8 million, but a new cost analysis will be undertaken to take into account the specific requirements the selected site.

"Council is unlikely to be able to develop a new early years hub without a significant state and/or federal government contribution to the project," Cr Jukes said.

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.