australian support groups

A variety of support groups within Australia. Please contact Tony if your details have changed.

Australian Capital Territory

Autism Asperger ACT

Support for individuals, families and professionals in ACT.

Contact: Through Self Help Organisations United Together (SHOUT) Tel: (02) 6290 1984

www.assn.org.au

New South Wales

Autism Spectrum Australia - ASPECT

Formerly known as Autism Association of NSW

Website includes a web forum and information on support groups, resources and training.

Phone: (02) 8977 8383. autismnsw.com.au

Armidale Autism Spectrum Support Group

We are a group of parents and family members of kids and adults with an Autism Spectrum diagnosis. We hold forums and information evenings and provide support and assistance to other families travelling the autistic path. We are an informal group and meet irregularly at the moment but have a lot of fun (and more often than not chocolate cake) when we do. We have around 20 families here in Armidale and have strong links with local carer and other organisations.

Contact Kate:
Phone: (02) 6772.9346
Email: katet51@gmail.com

ASPIA - Sydney

Our full name is Asperger Syndrome Partner Information Australia Inc, which is shortened to ASPIA (formerly known as GRASP Partner Support Group). The support group meetings are in Sydney but we also provide information to partners who live outside of Sydney, and in some cases contacts in other States or regions, including NZ & Tas.

Contact:
PO Box 57 Macarthur Square LPO, MAacarthur NSW 2560.
Web: www.aspia.org.au

AUT-SUPPORT - Aspergers & Autistic Spectrum Network Inc.

A peer based support network for aspergian/ASD people of all ages. ASD friendly - meaningful & authentic communication with others of your “kind” (take a break from fake). ASD & NT mentoring. Contact register.

Phone: (02) 4966 1717 Email: aut_s_pport@yahoo.com.au

Blue Mountains Asperger's Syndrome Support Group

This group, auspiced by the Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre, aims to support parents/carers of people with Aspergers Syndrome as well as ADULTS with Aspergers Syndrome and all are welcome to attend meetings. We are organising a peer-led sub-group for ADULTS with Aspergers Syndrome to meet on a regular basis – please enquire. Main group monthly meetings are held from 7.30pm – 9.30pm on the third Monday of each month at the Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre, 62 White Cross Road, Winmalee 2777.

Phone: (02) 4754 4050. Email: wincntre@tpg.com.au

Counselling For All

I am a counsellor who works with families who have kids on the spectrum. I am also a mum of a 9 year old with ASD and I use my parent/professional experience in my daily work. I am funded by Carers NSW to run counselling support groups for parents of kids with ASD's and find many a mum or dad of an AS child in my groups who struggles to justify being there but sorely needs the support.

You can check me out further for my credentials etc on my website if you wish and in the newly released Australian Autism Handbook in which i contributed a chapter on grief and self care for parents.

Contact: Justine Watson
Counsellor
CM CAPA

Ph: 0414 237383

Web: www.counsellingforall.com

Central Coast Autism and Asperger's Family Support Group

We are a long-established (12 years) group of 100 member families and carers of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. We support our members with monthly meetings (during school terms), guest speakers, family social outings, coffee mornings, regular email updates, a lending library of relevant resources, newsletters and referrals to local support agencies and providers.

We meet on the third Wednesday of each month from 10:30 to 1:30pm. Tea and coffee are provided. Annual newsletter subscription and lending library access are $15 (total) per year.

Contact: Cathy
PO Box 3175, Tuggerah NSW 2259

Ph: 02 4365 5032 (Cathy) or 02 4367 3210 (Sue)
Fax: 02 4365 1652

Email: leeblunt@bigpond.net.au

Coffs Coast Autism

Our support group meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10am at our office, 2/34 Park Avenue Coffs Harbour. Our aim is to support parents of individuals on the Autism Spectrum, including but not limited to, Aspergers. Our motto is "Families Supporting Families" and that is our aim. We have over 190 families on our database and our meetings are relaxed with parents being given the opportunity to share with and learn from others. We also provide guest speakers regularly.

Contact:
2/34 Park Avenue, Coffs Harbour. NSW. 2450 (PO Box 1769)

Ph: 02 66 588 330
Fax: 02 66 52 1771

Email: admin@coffscoastautismm.org.au
Web: coffscoastautism.org.au

Guiding Hands - Dubbo

Guiding Hands are just that, hands to guide you on your journey as you travel the maze that is Autism Spectrum Disorders. We share your highs, your lows and everything in between. ‘Guiding Hands’ meet monthly, invite guest speakers and have a parent library and resources that members can borrow free of charge. We also arrange outings such as coffee and barbeques so our parents can get together with like minded families who understand and share the joys and the complexities of our special children with ASD.

We meet on the last Wednesday of each month in the Community Health Building, Palmer Street Dubbo at 7pm.

Contact:
Pauline Meyers: 0407 937 773
Libby Woods: 0412 417 491
Jeannine Farrell: 0418 665 474

Email: guidinghandsdubbo@msn.com

Facebook Group
Contribute to discussions online and keep up to date with Autism specific happenings in Dubbo and surrounding areas at:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=75099001585&ref=nf

Hunter Asperger's Family Support Group

This is a support group that has started in the Hunter region of New South Wales. It now has over 80 members.

Email: lclarke@wnc.ngo.org.au

Macarthur Aspergers Support Group for Families

A group facilitated by families in Partnership Co-operative to provide information, support and the opportunity for families to meet others in a similar situation. Meetings held each month and include guest speakers and access to a small resource library.

Ph. 02 4648 1593
Email: coordinator@fip.org.au
Web: www.fip.org.au

PASS - Parents of Autism Spectrum Support

Contact: Elizabeth Salter-Strong
Facilitator
C/- PO Box 7076
Lismore Heights NSW 2480

Ph: 02 6624 8839
Mob: 0414 606 581

Email: emerald4@hotkey.net.au
Web: http://www.hotkey.net.au/~emerald4/pass

Queensland

Brisbane Partner Support Group

Adult support group for partners/spouses of individuals with Asperger’s syndrome who live within driving distance of Brisbane.
The group meets on the first Saturday of every month for an informal gathering to support each other with regard to their relationships.
Contact person: Louise Weston

Email: honeydove@bigpond.com

Cairns ASD Support Group Inc

Cairns ASD Support Group Inc.
PO Box 115M
Manunda Qld 4870

Email: casg@lizzy.com.au
Phone: 0448 578 735

NQ Autism Support Group Inc

North Queensland Support Group based in Kelso.

Phone: (07) 4774 0637
Address: 26 Peter St., Kelso (Townsville) 4815

ASSN - Asperger's Syndrome Support Network (Qld), Asperger Services Australia

The largest Asperger support group in the southern hemisphere. Maintains several support groups. Organisers of Conference, Seminars, workshops. Large Resource Library. Adult Support Group. Dad's Support Group. Family Activities, Mother's weekends away, Family camps etc.

Phone: (07) 3865 2911 www.asperger.asn.au Email: office@asperger.asn.au or stef@asperger.asn.au

Gladstone Autism Support Group

Meet at 7pm on 1st Monday of the month at the Community Health Centre, Gladstone

Phone: (07) 4972 5446 www.gladstoneautismsg.bravehost.com

Gold Coast ASD Support Group

Autism Gold Coast Inc, formerly known as Gold Coast ASD Support Group, is a group of parents, families and carers of a person with an autism spectrum disorder. We aim to provide support through monthly meetings, coffee mornings, email newsgroups, newsletters, guest speakers and programs, and linking families into support networks.

First Wednesday of the month - Coffee and Chat, from 10am-12noon. Tea and Coffee provided. A small plate of food to share is appreciated. Gold coin donation towards Room Hire.

Third Wednesday of the month - Evening Meeting from 7-9pm. Tea and Coffee provided. A small plate of food to share is appreciated. Gold coin donation towards Room Hire.

Helen, Ph: (07) 5559 1747, Debra, Ph: (07) 5508 2364, Tony, Ph: 0411 744 929.
Email: autismgoldcoast@bigpond.com

Mackay Autism Support Group

Mackay Autism Support Group Mmets for a coffee and chat 3rd Tuesday monthly except School holidays. Group has own parent register, e-buddies program, chat n play (autism friendly playgroup), autism awareness activities, guest speakers and informal coffee and chats.

Co-ordinator Debbie Brooker
Email: mackaysg@autismqld.com.au

North Queensland Autism Support Group

Support may be provided to those families and parents who require it, particularly in the North Queensland area.
Web: http://www.nqasg.org.au

South Australia

Cassandras - support group for partners of people with Asperger Syndrome in Adelaide

We meet monthly to support and encourage each other, and to share information and strategies.
Meeting: 1st Monday of every month, 7-9 pm
Eastwood Community Centre, 95 Glen Osmond Road, Eastwood
Gold coin to cover hire of room, tea and coffee.

Contact: Heike Haffer
Ph: 0431 039 136

Email: heikehaffer@hotmail.com

Tasmania

Autism Tasmania

Autism Tasmania has a new website which includes information about Tasmanian support and resources, a message board and a chat room.
P.O. Box 313
South Hobart 7004
Ph: (03) 6423 2288

Email: autism@autismtas.org.au
Website: www.autismtas.org.au

Victoria

ASSN Asperger Syndrome Support Network (Victoria)

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~asperger

Bendigo Autism Asperger Group (BAAG)

PO Box 439
Bendigo Victoria 3552
Ph: 0417 057 672
Web: www.bendigoautism.org.au

Supporting Parents Of Children with Autism & Asperger's Syndrome S.P.O.C.A.A.S

P.O Box 979
Echuca Vic 3564
Ph: 0428 382668
Fax: 03 54806860
Web: www.clrs.org.au