Useful Resources
The following online resources provide in-depth information about Autism, services, government funding support, ABA therapy and more.
Autism Resources
Autism: What Next?
Autism Awareness and Amaze have partnered to create a free digital toolkit which acts as a central hub to help families and individuals navigate the first year following an autism diagnosis. Visit the Autism: What Next? website for unbiased, up to date and relevant information and explanations about options for support and intervention. It also contains information about the NDIS and accessing funding. You can search through the website to find information relevant to you or you can click through their “Autism Pathway” digital toolkit to follow a step by step process for options available to you.
Autism Pathways provides training, education and support to parents, carers, and professionals working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Autism Pathways is committed to raising awareness of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) as a comprehensive and effective method of care and treatment for children with Autism. It is dedicated to broadening public perception and understanding of ABA as a scientific, evidence-based, early intervention.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national scheme established to support people with disability and provide funding directly to individuals.
AMAZE’s aim is to improve the quality of life for people affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder, their family and carers, and to provide a range of services to individuals with ASD and the agencies that work with them.
AMAZE is a member-based, not-for-profit organisation and is the peak organisation for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the state of Victoria. AMAZE represents around 55,000 Victorians who have ASD and works for the benefit of all individuals and their families and to promote better understanding of ASD in the general community.
Autism Awareness Australia is the nation’s leading not-for-profit Autism education and advocacy organisation, founded in 2007. It is dedicated to increasing awareness of Autism in the community by providing targeted educational programs for parents and professionals, and advocating for the needs of individuals on the spectrum and their families.
Raising Children Network Autism Section
On the Raising Children website, parents will find reliable and scientifically validated information and resources to support them in the day-to-day work of raising children and looking after their own needs. The website is growing all the time and covers a broad range of up-to-date parenting topics.
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
ASAT provides a well-respected, comprehensive website that tackles the array of considerations surrounding autism treatment. Its website is the go-to source for research summaries on the full array of Autism treatments to help families and professionals make informed treatment choices.
The I CAN Network provides mentoring programs to young Autistic people. Read more at www.icannetwork.online
Support for Families
Carer support
Emotional and practical services and support for carers:http://www.carergateway.gov.au/
Outside the Square Psychology
The psychologists at Outside the Square Psychology have extensive experience working with children who have autism and their families. They are available to provide counselling to parents of children with autism. For more information, see www.outsidethesquarepsychology.com.au/services or call them on 9889 9932.
The Centre of Child Development
The Centre of Child Development has centres in Preston and Hawthorn providing a variety of psychological services. Visit www.centreforchilddevelopment.com
APS Find a Psychologist
Australian Psychological Society find a psychologist service can link you in with a psychologist in your area, to support your needs. Visit www.psychology.org.au/Find-a-Psychologist
Crisis Support
Self help is important and below are some numbers to call when in need of support:
Parent line: 1300 30 1300
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Suicide call back service:1300 659 467
Emergency services: 000
Disability Advocates
The Learning for Life Autism Centre (L4Life) acknowledges the important role advocates play and each clients’ right to access an advocate. Information about disability advocacy and accessing an advocate can be found on:
Department of Social Services National Disability Advocacy Program website;
Department of Social Services Advocacy Finder;
askizzy.org.au; and
In addition, Valid, a not for profit based in Richmond (Victoria) that focuses on empowering, informing and advocating for individuals with disability, provides a list of Victorian advocacy organisations and key groups providing information, legal support and complaints handling for people with disability and their families: click here for a list of Victorian Advocacy organisations.
NDIS and Funding Resources
Autism Pathways NDIS guides
We recommend the Autism Pathways “Navigating the NDIS” page for helpful advice. It can be viewed at autismpathways.org.au/events/ndis/.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national scheme established to support people with disability and provide funding directly to individuals. Find out more at www.ndis.gov.au/
