Resources


Strive For Autism has collated a series of resources aimed to provide information and support to our local community.  We are continually growing our directory - You can explore this online resource here:

Browse Our Directory

NDIS Resources:

NDIS  Information:

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the new way of providing support for Australians with disability, their families and carers.

The NDIS will provide about 460,000 Australians under the age of 65 with a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live an ordinary life.

As an insurance scheme, the NDIS takes a lifetime approach, investing in people with disability early to improve their outcomes later in life.

The NDIS gives all Australians peace of mind that if their child or loved one is born with or acquires a permanent and significant disability they will get the support they need.

The NDIS supports people with disability to build skills and capability so they can participate in the community and employment.

 

 

NDIS Resources & links here:

NDIS Contact

St Vincent De Paul Society
Rachel Lawrie - 0432003258
Local Area Coordinator - Hunter New England on Behalf of NDIS.
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Additional Resources:

General Information:

  • Dentist
    Dentist – Dr Peter King ( Special Needs and Childrens Dentistry)
    Suite 7, 70 Northcott Dr, Kotara Phone: 49539666
  • Speech Therapy
    Speech Therapy – The Communication Clinic Speech Pathology Services
    PO Box 2030 Greenhills 2323, Phone: 49338694 Email: admin@thecommclinic.com.au
  • All areas Speech Pathology – Several locations including Cessnock 1300787136 or Head Office
    43936767
  • Hurstspeech
    Children’s Speech and Language Development Centres Singleton and Branxton
    Contact: 0498 123 153
  • Cessnock/Kurri Kurri Health Services
    Speech Pathology Department
    Cessnock: 49910571
    Kurri Kurri: 4936 3243
  • Communicating Kids
    Speech/Language Pathology
    www.communicatingkids.com.au
  • See n Speak:
    https://www.seeandspeak.com.au
    Address: Baulkham Hills NSW
    Hours: 8am–6pm
    Phone: 0432 684 704
  • Psychology
    Psychology – Dr Lee Sturgeon
    Suite4, 41 Charles St Warners Bay NSW 2282 Phone: 49471777
    John Waring – Child and Adolescent psychologist Maitland NSW Phone: 49347000
    Dr Andrew Wilkinson, Clinical Psychologist at Beam Services
    “All children and young people should be able to live a bright life”
    Email: andrew@beamservices.com.au
    Website: www.beamservices.com.au
  • Occupational Therapy – The Sensory Clinic
    220 High Street Maitland NSW 2320, Phone: 49339986, Email: admin@the sensoryclinic.com
    Hunter Occupational Therapy Service
    169 Lawes Street, East Maitland Phone: 49330664, Fax 4933 0667, Email: admin@hunterot.com.au
  • Paediatrician
    Amanda Prigg – Paediatric Occupational Therapist Phone 0499979261
  • Naturopath
    Naturopath – Mark Hinchey
    Mark Hinchey Naturopathy is moving to McDonald Jones Stadium Admin Building 294
    Turton Road, Broadmeadow.
    Appointments can be made via: 0432234822
    www.markhincheynaturopathy.com
  • Respite Care
    Respite Care - Jo Bailey Quality Care
    Phone:1300534431
  • Butch Hays – Snap
    SNAP Programs - Special Needs Accommodation Placement Programs snapprograms.org.au/
    butchhays@snapprograms.org
    karinford@snapprograms.org
    Butch Mobile: 0448 606 789
    Karin Mobile: 0401 923 001
    Fax: 02 4943 0114
  • Nana's Weighted Blankets | Home
    https://www.nanasweightedblankets.com.au/
    Address: 8 Wolstenholme St, Rutherford NSW 2320
    Phone: 0410 478 810
    Contact Nana
    info@nanasweightedblankets.com.au
    0410 478 810
    02 8213 3694

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Support Information & Services:

  • Aspect – a variety of services including speech therapy, psychology etc.
  • Aspinall Chiropractic
    7 William St - East Maitland
    0418 484 081
    Or
    Aspinall Chiropractic
    - 46 Grey St - Clarence Town
    4996 3212
  • Aspect Hunter School (Autism Spectrum Australia)
    Website - https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/school/aspect-hunter-school
    Directions - Click here for directions
    Special education school in New South Wales, Australia
    Address: 3 Kooralbyn St, Thornton NSW 2322
    Phone: (02) 4922 5900
  • Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)
    https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/
  • Theraputic Services & NDIS Support | Leapfrog Ability Newcastle
    www.leapfrog.org.au/services/therapeutic-services
    Phone: (02) 4979 7777
    Email: admin@leapfrog.org.au
  • Early Links Inclusion Support Service | Providing early childhood ...
    www.earlylinks.org.au/Address: 19 Galway Bay Dr, Ashtonfield NSW 2323
    Phone: (02) 4934 3773
  • Early Intervention for Autism & Disability in Newcastle ...
    - Samaritans
    https://www.samaritans.org.au › Services › Children & Family Support ServicesPhone Number
    1300 656 336
    Contact Email
    seict@samaritans.org.au
  • Lower Hunter Temporary Care INC.
    C/- Hospital
    Lang Street
    Kurri Kurri
    T. 02 49375502
    F. 02 49375502
    E. temporarycare@lhtc.org.au
  • Families Supporting Families Inc –
    Contact
    Ms The Secretary
    Phone: 0417 431 562
    Email: familiessupportingfamilies@live.com.au
    Website: www.familiessupportingfamilies.com
    Address
    PO Box 178
    WARATAH NSW 2298
  • Autism & Attention deficit disorders
    Understanding & managing diet Therapy for your child
    E.info@autismdiet.com.au
    www.autismdiet.com.au
  • Secret Agent Society
    What parents say, Thanks to this program, my child has been able to make a real friends for the
    first time in his life! -
    E: sas@sst-institute.net
    www.sst-institute.net

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Teaching Information:

  • Hunter Prelude Early Intervention Centre
    131 Northcote Street
    Kurri Kurri
    T: 02 4937 4549
    F: 02 4937 5571
    E: mail@hunterprelude.com
  • Amanda Tocci- MAEdst, BA, GradDipEd, GradCertTESOL
    Director - Australian Literacy Clinic
    Clinics in Hamilton & Maitland Level 1, 435 High Street Maitland NSW 2320 Level 1, Unit 1 & 2, 155 Nelson Street Wallsend NSW PO Box 2247 Greenhills NSW 2323 T. Admin - 0423 584 808 T. Director - 0402 096 922 E. contact@australianliteracyclinic.com.au W. http://www.australianliteracyclinic.com.au
  • Life without Barriers
    National Office (352 King Street Newcastle NSW 2300)
    Phone: 1800 935 483 or Email: info@lwb.org.au.
    Telephone: (02) 4033 4500
    If you require the Client Information and Feedback Service please call: 1800 721 226.
    If you are deaf, have hearing loss or difficulty speaking the National Relay Service can help you with your call to LWB.
    Contact them via TTY: 133677 l SSR: 1300 555 727 l IR: http://www.relayservice.com.au

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Other Website Resources:

Friendly Faces Helping Hands Foundation

  • A website designed to network rural communities and its people to the major hospitals and health facilities. The website provides information on accommodation, parking, cheap eats, childcare, and other facilities that are located around each metropolitan hospital, as well as links to support networks, social workers and counsellors.www.friendlyfaces.info

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)

  • Aspect is the state autism association and offers a number of services including family support programs, schools, intervention programs, adult programs and a diagnostic and assessment services. Aspect has also produced fact sheets and manuals which are available on their website.Website www.autismspectrum.org.au
    Call: 1800 277 328 (1800 ASPECT)

Autism Topics

  • A variety of evidence based information on different topics relating to Autism from the National Autistic Society UK.www.autism.org.uk/about.aspx

Through the Maze

  • Information and support handbook for parents and carers of children and young people with a disability in NSW (can be downloaded for free)www.cyda.org.au/through-the-maze

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Online Book Stores


The Australian Autism Handbook by Benison O’Reilly and Kathryn Wicks

A handbook written by two Australian parents of children with Autism. The book covers a range of topics including grief/self care/therapy/schools and more.

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Workshops:

  • Early Days workshops are free of charge for parents and carers to help them learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)www.autismspectrum.org.au/earlydaysworkshops
  • Positive Partnerships workshops are free of charge for parents and carers who have school aged children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). If you are unable to attend a workshop you could access their information through the online training moduleswww.positivepartnerships.com.au
  • Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) offers a variety of workshops for parents/ carers and professionals focused on information about Autism Spectrum Disorderswww.autismspectrum.org.au
    (click on the orange workshops tab to access the online calendar)
  • Sue Larkey offers online workshops for parents/carers and professionals focused on information about ASD, social skills, play, visuals, behaviour, anxiety and school/ preschool strategieswww.elearning.suelarkey.com.au
  • Tony Attwood runs workshops with a focus on Apserger’s Syndrome. There are online workshops and ocassionally face to face workshops.www.tonyattwood.com.au

The following providers offer workshops on a range of topics.
Please look at their websites for more information:

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Sibling Support:

  • Sesame Street has a character with Autism called Julia. Episodes with Julia might be helpful for both your child with Autism as well as their siblings/cousins/friends.
    The full episode introducing Julia can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKCdV20zLMs
  • Arthur has an episode featuring a character with Asperger Syndrome (now diagnosed as low support needs Autism).
    This episode would suit older children and can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsmjwHW40ps

Online Sibling Support:

Below are some websites where you can get some online support

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