4. “What does the 'Helping Children with Autism Package'
                   funded by FaHCSIA provide and how do I access it

• Autism Advisor Service:

•  0 – 5 years
•  In some situations, children who are 6 can be deemed eligible, but only under special circumstances – parents will    need to contact the Autism Advisor Program to discuss this
•  Diagnosed, by a pediatrician, psychiatrist or multi-disciplinary assessment team, with one of the following:
     o Autism
     o Autistic disorder
     o Asperger syndrome
     o Rett syndrome
     o Childhood disintegrative disorder
     o Pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
•  An Australian resident

To verify the child’s eligibility for accessing the Autism Advisor Program and consequently, the Early Intervention funding, the Advisors need to be provided with:

• A copy of the child’s birth certificate
• A copy of the letter of diagnosis / diagnostic form / diagnostic statement
• The child’s Centrelink number (on their Centrelink Health Care Card)
• A copy of a rates notice or utilities bill to confirm the residential address
• A copy of any parenting plan or court order
• A Client Consent Form signed by the parent / carer

• PlayConnect:

• Early Days Workshops:

• ARC Disability Services:

• Autism Queensland:

• Disability Services Queensland:

• CDU – Child Development Unit:

• BRAINY BLOCKS:

Occupational Therapy focussing on the assessment and management of children who have difficulties with any area of their daily living, including: Learning, Handwriting, Play, Social Skills, Motor Skills, Self care skills including toileting, behaviour and General development.
Children can be seen in a clinic setting, within their school or kindy/day care or at home
Contact: Jolene Kettenberg, BApp Sc (OccThy) 0415 358 809 or email kattenbergs@bigpond.com

• Autism Queensland:

• Positive Partnerships:

• Professional development for teachers and other school staff to support school students with ASD to achieve better    educational outcomes
• Workshops for parents and carers of school students with ASD (this information will also be available on-line)

• ARC Disability Services:

• Education Queensland:

• Building the capacity of districts and schools to support specialists who work with students with disabilities.
• Promoting innovations in learning through best practice and research.
• Developing alliances and partnerships between Education Queensland (EQ) staff and other government and    community agencies.
• Engaging in processes to develop and support EQ and other agency initiatives for inclusive practices.

• Catholic Education Services:

• Guidance Officers:

• Require assistance resolving personal, social or emotional problems that are having a major impact on their    learning
• Are experiencing learning difficulties
• Require advice in relation to study skills, subject selection and career planning.

• Head of Special Education Services (HOSES):

• taking a central role in the educational team in curriculum planning for the student
• teaching students with disabilities
• monitoring the progress, performance and behaviour of students with disabilities
• giving advice and guidance to teachers and support staff
• directing and supervising the staff of the specialised program.

• Advisory Visiting Teachers:

• autistic spectrum disorder
• hearing impairment
• intellectual impairment
• physical impairment
• speech-language impairment
• vision impairment

• PCYC Youth Group:

• Child and Youth Mental Health:

• Cairns Youth Mentoring Scheme:

• Self esteem and resilience
• Opportunities for participation in work, education, training and community life
• Connection with family and peers
• Engagement with the community
• Skills in areas such as leadership and communication

• BRAINY BLOCKS:

Occupational Therapy focussing on the assessment and management of children who have difficulties with any area of their daily living, including: Learning, Handwriting, Play, Social Skills, Motor Skills, Self care skills including toileting, behaviour and General development.
Children can be seen in a clinic setting, within their school or kindy/day care or at home
Contact: Jolene Kettenberg, BApp Sc (OccThy) 0415 358 809 or email kattenbergs@bigpond.com

• Direct Employment Services:

• Have a disability
• Show a commitment to finding and keeping a job
• Live between Gordonvale and Mossman
• Be of working age
• Have a recent Job Capacity Assessment (JCA) and/or referral from Centrelink (Government eligibility criteria apply)

• Worklink:

• Asperger Services Australia:

• Give mutual support to people with Asperger's Syndrome and their carers
• Provide relevant up to date information on Asperger's Syndrome
• Encourage research into Asperger's Syndrome
• Promote awareness and engage in community education
• Campaign for improved educational services and equal opportunity

• PCYC Youth Groups:

• Leisure Options:

• People with a mild intellectual and/or developmental disability;
• People with severe or multiple disabilities;
• People with physical disabilities
• People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who are frail;
• People with an acquired brain injury;
• Older adults (frail aged);
• Children with a disability;
• Individual holidays and tours

• ARC Disability Services:

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1. 4 “What services are available in Cairns for those with ASD?”
........................................................................................................................

• Cairns Autism Support Group:

• Access to information, support networks and events to all members.
• A sympathetic environment where issues can be shared and aired without fear of criticism.
• A forum for visiting professionals of the group's choice, to aid awareness, education and financial support to the    group.
• A positive meeting point for carers and family members, to exchange information and useful ideas, to promote friendships, understanding and acceptance.

• Autism Queensland - Online Support Group:

• Carers Queensland:

• The Carer Advisory Service
• The National Carer Counselling Program
• Our Regional Office Network
• Carer Support Groups
• Education and Training
• Family Support and Advocacy
• Momentum: Back to Work Program for carers
• Carers Qld Library
• Young Carers Program
• Family Support Collective Project

• Commonwealth Care and Respite Centre:

• Information and advice about respite care and other support services for carers
• Referral to appropriate local and regional service providers
• Funding for respite care in emergency or one off planned care situations. For example if you become ill and unable    provide to care, or to allow you to attend a special event or family function
• A residential respite booking service
• Funding for respite for carers of people with challenging behaviours

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2. “Is there a crisis helpline that I can call in times of need?”
........................................................................................................................

• Cairns Autism Support Group (CASG):

• Autism Queensland:

• Lifeline:

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3. “What help is there for my child under Medicare?”
........................................................................................................................

• Consultant physicians (pediatricians and psychiatrists) to diagnose and develop a treatment plan for children under   13 on referral from a GP
• Psychologists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists to provide up to four services in total per child to   collaborate with the psychiatrist or pediatrician on the assessment where required
• Psychologists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists to provide early intervention treatment following   diagnosis (providing up to 20 services in total per child).