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Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder are usually formally diagnosed between the age of 2 and 4 years. Some children with Asperger Syndrome are not diagnosed until 5 or even after they begin at school.
The time surrounding diagnosis can be one of great anxiety and grief for families as they begin to come to terms with the knowledge that their child has a disability.
Parents and families can experience any or all of the following thoughts and emotions at this time:
Contact your regional Department of Human Services Early Childhood Services Team.
Ph: (03) 9843 6000 (Eastern Region)
Ph: 1300 360 408 (Northern Region)
Ph: 1300 131 079 (Southern Region)
Ph: 1300 360 462 (Western Region)
Contact as many Early Childhood Intervention Services as you can find in your area.
Find out what programs they offer and whether they have a waiting list. Put your child's name down on their list. Irabina Childhood Autism Services is the only autism specific program in the Eastern Region of Melbourne.
Other agencies provide programs for children with a range of disabilities, however all will have some children with ASD in their program. You can contact Irabina for a list of agencies.
Contact Autism Victoria on (03) 9885 0533. Members receive a quarterly newsletter that features articles about current activities within the autism community. Autism Victoria has a large library of books about autism for members to borrow. There is also a parent self help group called AFSA. This is the Autism Family Support Association. Contact is through Autism Victoria.
Contact the Association for Children with a Disability on (03) 9500 1232 and ask for a copy of their publication Through the Maze. This contains valuable information about how you may be eligible for Centrelink Services such as Carers Allowance and Health Care Card, as well as options for Respite Care and other Home Support.
Contact your local council to register for specific home care that includes childcare to enable you to get child minding at reasonable rates.
The following phone numbers and/or websites may be useful:
Early Childhood Intervention Website
WWW: www.ecia-vc.org.au
Care Connect (formerly Early Choices)
Ph: 1300 655 013
Ph: (03) 9723 7055 (Eastern suburbs)
Interchange
Ph: (03) 9758 5522 (Outer East)
(03) 9836 9811 (Victoria)
Shared Family Care - Anglicare
Ph: (03) 9725 1622
Respite Care House/ Mentone (Southern Autistic Services)
Ph: (03) 9584 2891
Association for Children with a Disability
Ph: (03) 9500 1232
WWW: www.acd.org.au
Disability Online
WWW: www.disability.vic.gov.au
Parent Support Groups
Ph: (03) 9830 0412 (Eastern contact: Julie Gietman)
Department of Human Services
Ph: (03) 9843 6000 (Eastern Region)
Ph: 1300 360 462 (Western Region)
Ph: 1300 360 408 (Northern Region)
Ph: 1300 131 079 (Southern Region)
Autism Victoria
Ph: (03) 9885 0533
WWW: www.autismvictoria.org.au
Autistic Family Support Association
Ph: (03) 9885 0533
Flying Start (Australian Early Intervention Association)
Ph: (03) 9437 0827 (Contact: Danni Blanden)
Noah's Ark Toy Library &
Family Resource Centre
Ph: (03) 9529 1466
Parent Zone - Outer East Regional Parenting Resource Service
Ph: (03) 9876 8945 or (03) 9876 8946
