Autism Spectrum Disorder is being diagnosed in around 1 in every 100-110 children in Victoria: that means that it is highly likely there are others in your neighbourhood who are experiencing the same challenges.
You are not alone: there are some wonderful support networks that you can join.
Parent Support Groups
Support groups can be an invaluable resource especially for parents of children with an ASD. First and foremost they provide a friendly space or an understanding ear. These groups can also work on other levels, such as helping to create a sense of community and lessen any feelings of isolation from the wider community that people who are affected by ASDs may feel.
In a practical sense, support groups can provide important information on local services and supports, such as an informed opinion on local schools, and can sometimes act as something of a ‘middle man’, in terms of liaising with local government on issues that affect you as a collective of individuals with similar concerns.
Some of these groups may also run parent training sessions or social skills groups.
There are many parent support groups around Victoria: some are autism-specific, whilst others are more general disability support groups. The listing below gives more information, including contact details.
Visit the Resources Page for the Support Group Listing and other useful resources
Start your own Support Group
If there is no suitable support group in your region, you might be interested in starting your own. The following information may assist you.
Suggestions for starting a support group
Autism Online Forum hosted by Healthshare
Join the Autism Spectrum Disorder Online Forum hosted by HealthShare, to connect with others around the state and country who share your experience with the condition.
You can start a discussion here, ask questions, create your own groups, share experiences with others, provide and receive support, or just simply see what others are saying.
Autism Victoria is the Content Partner for the Autism Spectrum Disorder Community, hosted on the HealthShare Website at no cost to us. To access the forum, register on the HealthShare Website, noting their terms of service and privacy policy.
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