Connecticut massacre & possible Aspergers

Today’s violence was the act of an individual. We urge media, government and community leaders to speak out against any effort to spuriously link the Autistic or broader disability community with violent crime.

http://autisticadvocacy.org/2012/12/asan-statement-on-media-reports-regarding-newton-ct-shooting/#.UMzNf6PlQwU.facebook


Connecticut school shooting thrusts autism into national spotlight

http://www.examiner.com/article/connecticut-school-shooting-thrusts-autism-into-national-spotlight



Connecticut school shooting: massacre at Sandy Hook leaves 20 children dead

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9746051/Connecticut-school-shooting-massacre-at-Sandy-Hook-leaves-20-children-dead.html

Autism Links

And the latest cause of autism is ...

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/public_health/And-the-latest-cause-of-autism-is-----.html


Bullying of Autistic Students "A Profound Public Health Problem"

http://thautcast.com/drupal5/content/bullying-autistic-students-profound-public-health-problem 


Autistic boy 'left in toilet'

http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/autistic-boy-left-in-toilet-20120904-25bbw.html


Insomnia in Children with Aspergers & High-Functioning Autism

http://www.myaspergerschild.com/2012/09/insomnia-in-children-with-aspergers.html

Book GP appointments 24/7

http://healthengine.com.au/

find GP's in your local area and book appointments online.

Litmus - young carer program

Litmus is a program that supports Young Carers aged between 11 and 18 years caring for a parent with mental ilness, the parent with mental illness and other family members.

http://www.cyclopsact.org/

7 TYPES OF BUSY FOR WOMEN v-PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE

7 TYPES OF BUSY FOR WOMEN v-PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE
WIRC T1 127TB - Please use the attached code with your initials when paying course fees.
6 WEEK EVENING COURSE
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between being busy and leading a full life? This six- week course will look at reducing the frantic and increasing the functional parts in women's life. The course aims to provide:

* Descriptions on the 7 types of busy and how they complicate your life.
* First aid for the chronically overwhelmed.
* Self-assessment quiz to determine burnout.

DATES: 1 March -6 April

TIME:   6.30-9pm, Thursday evenings

VENUE: Women's Information and Referral Centre
       Ground Floor, London Court,
       13 London Cct, Canberra City
COST:   $80 ;   $40 concession (Please discuss with Course Coordinator)
Women's Information and Referral Centre no longer receives cash payments.
Please read the information letter regarding payment processes. Please do not pay any course fees until the course has been confirmed to run by a WIRC staff member.

Bookings are essential
Please do not pay any courses fees until you have confirmation that the course is going to run.
For more information or to register your interest, please contact Women's Information and Referral Centre on 6205 0303 or 6205 1075, or drop in and visit us.
Please be advised that we are unable to provide childcare.
The use of any sound recording devices is prohibited for any WIRC courses or workshops.
48 hours notice of cancellation from the course is required or full course fee's will be charged.

SUPPORTING SOMEONE WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS - A COURSE FOR FAMILY CARERS

SUPPORTING SOMEONE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS - A COURSE FOR FAMILY CARERS
These 6 sessions are designed to provide information about mental health
conditions and available supports as well as an opportunity to better
understand and deal with the issues and challenges that arise when someone
you know is unwell. It is also a chance to meet other people in similar
situations and explore ways to strengthen your sense of wellbeing.
Topics covered:
* Understanding mental health and mental illness
* Communicating and connecting effectively
* Responding to difficult symptoms and behaviours, handling emergencies
* Services and supports
* Strength for the journey - managing your own stress and balancing
everyone's needs.

Facilitator: Jenny Thompson has a background in psychology and has worked
in the Canberra community for over 25 years. She has a special interest in
mental health, trauma and grief, and how families find resilience in the
face of adversity.

Dates: 6 sessions (Wednesdays) - 7, 14, 21, 28 March, 4, 11
April
Time: 6 - 8pm
Venue: CIT Southside campus, Woden
Cost: free
To Register: 6207 3628 or
CarerSkills@cit.edu.au<mailto:CarerSkills@cit.edu.au>
Note: CIT Skills for Carers provides training for family and unpaid carers
in the ACT. Paid support/care workers are not eligible for CIT Skills for
Carers courses. Call 6207 3628 or email
CarerSkills@cit.edu.au<mailto:CarerSkills@cit.edu.au<mailto:CarerSkills@cit.
edu.au%3cmailto:CarerSkills@cit.edu.au>> for more information.

BEAT IT Physical Activity Program now in the ACT

BEAT It physical activity and lifestyle program starting at CIT, Bruce in
March 2012!
BEAT It is an evidence based physical activity and lifestyle program
designed to assist those at risk of, or living with, diabetes and other
chronic conditions. Classes start slowly and build up as participant's
become more confident and as health and fitness improves. Classes are run
twice weekly, with each class including a combination of aerobic and
resistance training exercises. Combined with other regular physical
activity, BEAT It can help:
* Reduce the risk of developing diabetes and other chronic lifestyle
conditions
* Help with diabetes and other chronic lifestyle disease management
* Prevent development of diabetes complications and other chronic lifestyle
related conditions
* Improve heart health
* Improve blood glucose control
* Improve insulin sensitivity
* Improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels
* Achieve weight loss and weight management
* Prevent osteoporosis and improve bone mineral density
* Reduce the risk of falls and fall related injuries
* Improve mood, energy and quality of life.
This is a low cost ($5 per session or subsidised enrolments available for
health care card holders) physical activity and lifestyle program. A web
link to more information about BEAT It is: www.beat-it.com.au
To register for the course starting at CIT or for more information, please
contact Glen Fluit on 6207 3497.

CIT Skills for Carers Free courses

CARERSKILLS NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2012 COORDINATORS’ LETTER

It is our pleasure to present the program of courses for carers for February to June 2012. Please take time to read it through and challenge yourself to learn something new or gain another perspective through attending one of our free workshops. We might be able to help you achieve one of your New Year resolutions!

CIT SKILLS FOR CARERS PLANNER

Courses starting in the month of...

February
13th Speaking Up , Advocacy and Juggling
20th Living a Healthy Life with Long Term Conditions
21st Yoga – Every Tuesday throughout the semester excluding school holidays

March
5th Mobility Assistance – evening
6th Yoga – continues
7th Supporting Someone with Mental Illness
29th Understanding the Public Advocate and Guardianship

April
3rd Yoga – continues

May
1st yoga continues
3rd Understanding the Public Advocate and Guardianship
9th Finding Balance
10th Planning Ahead
14th Supporting someone with Memory Loss – day Medical Emergencies – evening
21st Enabling Communication

June
Yoga – continues
15th Mobility Assistance – day

Please note that all our courses are for family or unpaid carers and there are no course fees.

Karen, Annette and Jenny
The CIT Skills for Carers team
T 02 6207 3628
F 02 6207 4839
E CarerSkills@cit.edu.au
W cit.edu.au

more information about the West Belconnen Children's Behaviour and Emotional Wellbeing Clinic

West Belconnen Children's Behaviour and Emotional Wellbeing Clinic
The Child and Family Centre program is a free ACT Government program and was
established to provide early intervention and prevention services to
children and their families. The West Belconnen Child and Family Centre
provides brief clinical interventions through the Children's Behaviour and
Emotional Wellbeing Clinic, focusing on managing children's behaviour and
emerging mental health issues.
The purpose of the clinic is to promote early help-seeking behaviours, and
provide a service that focuses on specific issues of concern for clients and
their families. The clientele are children aged 0 - 8 years (and their
parents/carers), who reside in the Belconnen area*.
For service providers, the clinic provides a referral option for clients and
families seeking short-term, focused support on presenting issues. The scope
of work provided within the clinic includes informal assessment,
information, strategies, referral and follow-up. Children and families
requiring services in addition to that offered by the clinic are assisted
through appropriate supports and referral.
The clinic operates within an early intervention and prevention framework
and seeks to address issues early in the life of the problem or early in the
life of the child. Issues that are addressed within the clinic setting
include milestones, discipline and behaviour management, temperament /
shyness, separation anxiety, self esteem, social skills, sleep and eating
issues, mood and behaviour changes, adjusting to change, grief and loss, and
family conflict/relationships.
The clinic does not seek to replicate the range of behavioural and mental
health services already available in the community. For example, issues
outside the scope of the clinic include psychometric assessments,
psychiatric crisis situations or emergency services, and infant feeding and
settling issues.
The clinic is held every Thursday morning at the West Belconnen Child and
Family Centre. Appointments are required.
Referrals and appointment bookings are accepted from both service providers,
and parents/carers. All referrals will go through an intake process at the
West Belconnen Child and Family Centre.
For enquiries or to make a referral into the clinic, please contact an
intake worker at the West Belconnen Child and Family Centre on (02) 6205
2904 Monday-Friday 9-5pm.

Social Role Valorisation - 2 day training

Towards A Better Life: An Exploration Of The Social Role Valorisation
Framework With Regard To People Who Are Marginalised - Conducted by
Senior SRV Trainer John Armstrong.
This 2 day event is for anyone who is serious about improving the lives
of marginalised and disadvantaged people such as people with a mental
illness, people with disabilities, frail aged and people experiencing
poverty or homelessness.
Using the core themes and principles of Social Role Valorization theory
this 2 day workshop is designed to assist participants to:
* Understand social devaluation and its consequences for people
who are marginalised;
* Learn about SRV as a means of addressing those experiences of
devaluation;
* Strengthen ones motivation to counteract devaluation in the
lives of people one knows and supports; and
* Clarify the features of a good life and the essential means of
obtaining that good life.
Course Details:
Event: Towards A Better Life: Social Role Valorisation
Date: Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th March, 2012
Location: Hellenic Club, Canberra
Presenter: John Armstrong
Price: $230.00 per person
For more information or to register please contact Veronica Hadfield
On 6280 6143 or vhadfield@koomarri.asn.au

New DSM-V and Autism

You may not be aware but many people are concerned that the revisions from the DSM-IV to the DSM-V may mean that many people who might currently get a diagnosis of autism, asperger syndrome or PDD-NOS will no longer meet the criteria once the changes are brought in.

New Definition of Autism Will Exclude Many, Study Suggests
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/20/health/research/new-autism-definition-would-exclude-many-study-suggests.html?_r=3&hp

The proposed changes would probably exclude people with a diagnosis who were higher functioning. “I’m very concerned about the change in diagnosis, because I wonder if my daughter would even qualify,” said Mary Meyer of Ramsey, N.J. A diagnosis of Asperger syndrome was crucial to helping her daughter, who is 37, gain access to services that have helped tremendously. “She’s on disability, which is partly based on the Asperger’s; and I’m hoping to get her into supportive housing, which also depends on her diagnosis.”

Redefining Autism: How it Could Change Treatment and Policy (audio interview)
http://www.thetakeaway.org/2012/jan/20/what-happens-if-we-define-autism-new-ways/

Benedict Carey is a science reporter for The New York Times, whose coverage of this story can be read in today’s edition. Temple Grandin is professor of animal science at Colorado State University. She is the author of “The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s" in which she describes autism through her personal experience. John Gilmore is the parent of an autistic son. He shares his thoughts on how a new definition of autism could change life for her and her son.

Children & Social Anxiety

http://www.socialanxietyassist.com.au/children_anxiety.shtml

Social Phobia tends to start during adolescence. According to Montgomery (1995), approximately 40% of social phobias start before the age of 10 and approximately 95% before the age of 20. The early onset of social phobia can have serious consequences for a child's social and academic development. If left untreated, social anxiety can lead to increased risk of: alcoholism, drug abuse, developing further psychological problems and even suicide. Therefore, it is important not to dismiss a child's anxiety by saying they'll grow out of their excessive shyness /self consciousness as many will not without (1) appropriate assistance from other people such as parents, other family members and teachers and (2) treatment by a mental health professional.

Cool Kids Anxiety Group

Cool Kids Anxiety Program

The West Belconnen Child and Family Centre will be running a Cool Kids Anxiety Program for children aged between 9-12 years in the first term next year.

The Cool Kids Anxiety Program aims to help parents and children to:

· Learn about and understand their feelings of anxiety

· Develop coping skills and strategies to deal with these feeling

· Develop self confidence

· Learn problem solving skills

· Meet other children and families from a similar situation


The cool kids program will provide parents and children with information and support to help them deal with and cope with anxiety.


Who: Children who experience anxiety aged between 9-12 years
Where: West Belconnen Child and Family Centre. Corner of Luke and Starke St. Kippax.
When: The program will be run weekly over 8 weeks commencing on Monday 13th February 2012 from 3:30-5:00pm (Sessions will run on the 20/02, 27/02, 05/03, 12/03, 19/03, 26/03 and 02/04) There will also be two parent information sessions run On Monday 13 February 2012 and Monday 5 March 2012 from 1:00-2:30pm

Cost: Participation is free.

Bookings: Ph 6205 2904




Please pass on this information to families where you are aware of young people that would benefit from attending this program. If you have any queries please call Brianna on 6205 2904.

Family Carers Supporting Someone with a Mental Illness

As rates of mental illness are much higher in people with disabilities than in the general population, this may be of interest....

FAMILY CARERS SUPPORTING SOMEONE WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS
The following course is designed to provide information about mental health conditions and available supports as well as an opportunity to better understand and deal with the issues and challenges that arise when someone you love has a mental illness. It is also a chance to meet other people in similar situations and explore ways to strengthen your sense of wellbeing.
Topics covered:
* Understanding mental health and mental illness
* Communicating and connecting effectively
* Responding to difficult symptoms and behaviours, handling emergencies
* Services and supports
* Strength for the journey - managing your own stress and balancing everyone's needs.
Facilitator: Jenny Thompson has a background in psychology and has worked in the Canberra community for over 25 years. She has a special interest in mental health, trauma and grief, and how families find resilience in the face of adversity.
Dates: 6 sessions; (Wednesdays) - 19, 26 October, 2, 9, 16, 23 November
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Venue: CIT Southside campus, Woden
To Register: 6207 3628 or CarerSkills@cit.edu.au
Note: CIT Skills for Carers provides training for family and unpaid carers in the ACT. Paid support/care workers are not eligible for CIT Skills for Carers courses. Call 6207 3628 or email CarerSkills@cit.edu.au for more information.

CHW School Link

Click below for link

Supporting the mental health of children and adolescents with an intellectual disability

http://www.schoollink.chw.edu.au/

When caring gets you down

When caring gets you down: a short course for family carers experiencing depression For many people, the caring journey is long and constant, and sometimes they wonder how they will keep going.
This three session course will consider the ongoing stress of caring and the connection to depression, exploring ways to find some balance and move forward.

Topics covered:

* Understanding and managing depression, particularly as it relates to long term stress
* Looking at ways of dealing with stress and depression in the context of caring responsibilities
* Finding some balance for yourself and those around you

Facilitator: Jenny Thompson has worked in the Canberra community for over 25 years as a psychologist, counsellor and trainer. She has a special interest in mental health, trauma and grief, and how families find resilience in the face of adversity.

Dates: (Wednesdays) 24, 31 August and 7 September (with a 4th session at a later date)
Time: 10.00am - 12 noon
Venue: CIT Southside Campus, Woden
Cost: free

To Register: 6207 3628 or CarerSkills@cit.edu.au