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PARENTS & CARERS GROUP

Are you a parent or carer of a child, young person, or adult who has Aspergers, is autistic, or who has another similar neurodivergent profile?

Are you looking for a group of peers who share your experience who you can meet, connect with, chat to, and exchange stories, advice, and experiences with?

Then our Parents & Carers Group may be what you're looking for!


Who is this group for?

Our Parents & Carers group is for parents and carers of children and young people  who have Aspergers, are autistic, or who have another similar neurodivergent profile, at all stages of the diagnostic journey, including those who self-identify.  We welcome parents and carers of all family types and from all backgrounds, including rainbow families and parents and carers of LGBTQIA+ young people, as well as parents and carers who themselves have Aspergers, are autistic, or who have another similar neurodivergent profile.


When and where does this group meet?

The Parents & Carers Group meets monthly online via Zoom.  Please see below for more our upcoming dates.


As AV peer support group meetings depend on the availability of our dedicated peer support group volunteers, we currently only offer the above format/s. If you are interested in volunteering to run an additional meeting for this peer group in your area, we would love to hear from you! For more information, please contact the Group Leader or our AV admin team, or send us your details via our online volunteer application form.


What are group meetings like?

Our Parents & Carers Group, facilitated by our Group Leaders, is an informal chat. There are no set topics, and attendees can chat, ask questions, and share experiences as they feel comfortable.

You are welcome to join in the discussion or to listen to others as you feel comfortable. In Zoom meetings, you are welcome to have your video and microphone on or off as you feel comfortable, and you can also communicate via the Zoom chat function.


How can I register for the next group meeting?

The next group meeting is listed in the calendar below.

  • If you would like to attend, please click “Register” on the left side and enter your details.
  • If you would like to try this group and are joining for the first time, we invite you to use our free* first time attendee ticket. For more information, please read our Community Guide: About our free* first time attendee tickets or contact the AV admin team for assistance.
  • If the next meeting date is not yet visible below, we invite you to add your name to the AV mailing list by following the steps below and we will contact you when registrations open.


AV Membership

Become an AV member and access peer support groups either at a discounted rate or for free! Browse our AV membership options to find the AV membership that best suits you.


Join the AV Mailing List

If you're interested in receiving emails from AV about this group including upcoming meeting announcements, please add your name to our AV mailing list. Visit the Join our AV Mailing List page, enter your first name and your email address, and select this activity as an area of interest, as well as any other topics you're interested in, and we'll include you in future emails.

Community Guide: How to join the AV mailing list


If you're already in contact with AV, make sure you have added this activity to your Areas of Interest.

Community Guide: How to update your AV profile (including your Areas of Interest)



If you would like more information, please contact the Parents & Carers Group Leader.

Upcoming Group Meetings

  • Parents & Carers Group: National Carers Week 2024 Event

    • 16 Oct 2024
    • 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
    • Online via Zoom
    • 180
    Register



    Parents & Carers Group:

    National Carers Week 2024 Event

    AV is delighted to announce our National Carers Week event. This event will focus on self-care for carers. This event was made possible thanks a successful grant from Carer's Victoria the state-wide voice for family carers, representing and providing support to carers in Victoria.


    About the facilitators

    Sharon Kolkka

    Sharon is one of Australia’s leading wellness tourism advisors. Her knowledge has been gathered over 30 years and has an extraordinarily diverse perspective from practitioner to visionary leader. Once General Manager and Wellness Director for Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat for 16 years, she is drawn to collaborate with purpose driven business. Some include Peninsula Hot Springs Group, Eco View Retreat and she continues to be a significant contributor to the Gwinganna product. With a diverse range of skills, Sharon is well known for co-creating exceptional wellness programs and guest experiences that are transformational, innovative, and inspiring. With a mass of experience and a unique perspective, she is also fully versed in the operational side, from wellness touch points to fully immersive wellness retreats. Sharon particularly enjoys creating and working with like-minded people on new and exciting wellness focused projects as well as developing and supporting healthy team cultures. Believing a sense of wellbeing provides a deep connection with oneself, the environment and human consciousness. Sharon has a driven purpose to pollinate wellness in a myriad of ways, including sharing stress resilience and mindfulness strategies. Co-author of ‘How to be Well’, Sharon is also an engaging speaker and has been a fountain of knowledge for the media, resulting in thousands of articles using her wellness wisdom.

    Denise Noonan

    Denise is a holistic Kinesiologist (since 2009) and ex primary school teacher. She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and 3 grown up children. She personally experienced Kinesiology about 15 years ago when she had a ‘few’ stresses in her life. After the first session she was hooked! She was not only fascinated by this energy therapy, she realized it could be life transforming. She was amazed at everything the Kinesiologist ‘knew’ about her from just a couple of muscle tests. After the session, she felt so much clearer, calmer and more empowered. Denise was so enthralled by this healing modality that she decided to study Kinesiology herself. Kinesiology is an energy therapy, which helps take the ‘stress’ out of the body. The issues, situations or stresses in people’s lives affect their physical and mental health and create blocks to achieving their goals. She is particularly passionate in helping people become aware of the power that they have themselves in self-healing and changing their own reality. Over the pandemic Denise produced online guided self-healing audio meditations which were highly popular with her clients. Denise is now focusing on creating a wellness app called Lucky Vibe, for healing, which helps to keep ‘your energy’, ‘your vibe’ up high! https://betterlifekinesiology.com.au/


    Please note

    Screenshots photos will be taken during this event. If you wish to avoid being in the screenshot please switch off your camera.


    About the Parents & Carers Group

    This is an online peer support meeting open to all parents and carers (including autistic parents / carers) of Aspergers / autistic children, teens and adults to meet, chat, exchange ideas and find support.


    About our Group Leaders

    Our Parents & Carers Group Leaders are Toni, Jenny, and Sue.

    All AV volunteer group leaders share the lived experience of their group participants and welcome new attendees. All AV group leaders have a Working with Children Check.


    Cost: Free 


    About National Carers Week

    National Carers Week ( Sunday 13 October to Saturday 19 October) is an opportunity to raise community awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.

    National Carers Week is an initiative of Carers Australia, funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, and coordinated with the assistance and participation of the National Carer Network.


    About Carers Victoria membership

    Become a member of Carers Victoria and join our community to help us make a difference in the lives of Victorian carers

    • Membership is free and open to carers, former carers, supporters and Carer Support Groups.
    • Membership benefits include:
    • Exclusive invitations to events including our popular Mingle events, carer workshops and programs specifically designed for carers.
    • Championing for real change through consultations, focus groups and research.
    • Staying informed with our monthly eBulletin ‘The Voice’ jam-packed with important carer issues, events and stories.
    • Free digital access to the magazine Australian Carers Guide.
    • Special member offers including Hoyts movie tickets, Accor accommodation and Live Life Foods pre-packaged meals
    • Free sign up for individuals.
    Become a member here: https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/about-us/membership-form


    Anyone wishing to attend an AV activity must register before attending.

    For online events, you will need to register to receive the Zoom meeting link / Discord link. First-time attendee tickets must be requested at least 24 hours before the meeting.

    NB: Unregistered attendees may incur an admin fee of up to $10.


    Community Guides (step by step information to support our community)


    For assistance or more information

    • Call 0480 385 710 or email our AV admin team.

    • The AV phone is switched on from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday.

    • Tech and admin support for after-hours activities is available by phone call only for an hour before the activity start time and for the first hour of the activity.

    • Please note that our email inbox is not monitored outside business hours.


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    AV Peer Support Groups disclaimer: Please note that AV Peer Support Groups do not not provide professional advice, medical advice, counselling, crisis management or case management.
    If you or someone else needs urgent support, please visit our list of organisations offering crisis support.



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