DIS0019
autumn
2014 48 Webb Street, Narre Warren, VIC 3805 • phone: (03) 9705 3200 • fax: (03) 9796 7650 • www.windermere.org.au
DISABILITY
A newsletter from Windermere’s Disability Services
Newsletter 01
Managers Update
02
What’s Coming Up?
03
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Absconding
04
Continence Support Service
02
Christmas at Windermere
02
NDIS Update
03
Client Consultative Committee
04
Financial Support Information
managers update Welcome back for 2014. We hope you all had a safe and enjoyable Festive Season. The start of the 2014 year brings with it many challenges. As you may be aware, Windermere’s Disability Team provide Flexible Support Packages to the City of Greater Dandenong, the City of Casey and the Shire of Cardinia. This area includes the South East growth corridor, one of the fastest growing areas in Australia. The City of Casey’s population grows by an average 7,500 people per year. This is expected to increase to an average 9,500 people per year by 2036. The Cardinia Shire’s population forecast for 2014 is 86,628, and is forecast to grow to 180,493 by 2036. According to ABS data, one in five of these people will be diagnosed with a disability and one in ten, a severe disability. Since Windermere first started helping people with Flexible Support Packages, approximately 30,000 people living with disabilities have moved into the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire Local government areas. So, more people need help than ever before.
Unfortunately the Department of Human Services has not been funded by treasury to provide additional Flexible Support Packages to keep up with population growth. Windermere’s Disability services is not alone in facing this challenge and is aware of the lengthy and growing wait lists to access other services in the region including respite and community health programs. In order to tackle these difficulties, in 2014 Windermere is looking at methods to try to assist people awaiting packages. These include information sessions about accessing the service system, behaviour management and autism and other information or support sessions identified by our consumers as helpful to them. We will also be looking at other strategies to equitably share limited resources. Any person interested in working with Windermere on these issues is invited to join our Consumer Consultative Committee.
Windermere’s Disability Services is also looking at methods of working more closely with other local service providers to assist people awaiting supports. If you need assistance, please call the Disability Intake worker on (03) 9705 3200.
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christmas at windermere Windermere received a very generous donation from Adventure Brands of 504 high quality children’s bikes at Christmas which we were offered to Windermere clients and those currently awaiting service. Unfortunately only limited sizes were available so offers were only made to people who had children in the age groups that could use them. The Disability team unloaded many of the bikes from the shipping containers and distributed to many very happy children.
Windermere’s annual Merry Mission was yet again a great success providing many of our families with children’s gifts, food hampers and some delicious home made puddings. A big thank you to all our lovely staff and volunteers who participated and a huge thank you to all the people who donated and especially Adventure Brands. A big congratulations to the disability team who won the best dressed award at the annual staff party. The organisation enjoyed a beautiful lunch followed by a competitive round of lawn bowls and bingo.
what’s coming up? Disability Service Workshop Windermere will be holding a workshop to assist families to develop an understanding of disability services available and to provide families with practical tools to connect you to local and state disability support services This is suitable for anyone who wants to know what services and supports are out there and how to access them. When: Tuesday 29th April 2014 Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm Where: Windermere Child and Family Services, 48 Webb Street Narre Warren Cost: Free Please contact 9705 3220 to booklimited spaces available.
Autism Spectrum Education Services: Introduction to Autism Spectrum for teenagers
Autism Spectrum Education Services: Introduction to Autism Spectrum for teenagers When: 21st March 2014 http://www.autismspectrumeducation. com for more details
Autism Spectrum Disorder Information Session: open to all families Topic: Understanding ASD When: Thursday 3rd April 2014 Time: 6.30pm - 7.30pm Where:Windermere Child and Family Services, 48 Webb Street, Narre Warren Cost: Free Please contact Katrina Herbert on 9705 3220 to let her know you are coming
Cranbourne ADHD Support Group Share your experiences, stories and knowledge and be supported by others who understand the struggle families and the child go through in living with ADHD. When: May 1st, June 12th, July 24th Time: 10am - midday Where: Cranbourne Community House 49, Valepark Crescent Cranbourne Cost: Gold coin donation For more information contact Flora or Ann on 5996 3333
Playgroup for Children 0-5 years Run by Family Connections Where: Uniting Church Main Street, Pakenham Time: 11.00am - 12.30pm Cost: Gold coin donation Please call Rachel 5941 3495 for further information.
When: 21st March 2014 http://www.autismspectrumeducation. com for more details
NDIS update Many people are eagerly awaiting the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and we are sure some of you will have had friends or family think that you can get help through this system already. The trials are well underway
and it is planned that a progressive rollout across Victoria would take place in 2016 to 2019. Assistant Social Services Minister Mitch Fifield advised in November 2013 that plans were “exceeding modelled
average costs by around 30 per cent” and that “To summarise, completing plans is taking longer than anticipated. Demand, so far, is greater than expected and package costs are higher.” This statement is discouraging but it
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should be expected that implementing the new system would take longer in the initial stages as planners and the service system learn how to negotiate the new system. Further, many of the individuals initially allocated a planner had been on the Disability Support Register and awaiting significant supports rather than already being in receipt of supports. It may be that these individuals are in crisis and therefore need higher funding initially than
the average. Also, often initial plans needs equipment and resources to prevent longer term and eventually higher expenses eg equipment that enables someone to live alone rather than needing paid carers. This will lead to a misrepresentation of initial costs. Certainly at this stage it is too soon to tell what the true financial costs plans will be and it appears that latest figures are showing that planning speed is increasing and plan costings beginning to fall in line with costings.
There have been some wonderful outcomes already with the NDIS and some significant challenges. In the growth corridor, the hope is that an increased equity of service access will occur as a result this scheme. It will not solve all service problems though and nor will it completely cover the needs or costs associated with living with a disability. For more information please go to http://www.ndis.gov.au.
Autism Spectrum Disorder and absconding • Are they avoiding sensory stimuli? • Are they escaping tasks and demands? • Are they trying to get to something they like? • Are they trying to gain attention? The strategies involve a number of steps:
The major challenge presented for individuals with ASD who abscond is for their safety. There is a significant need for strategies and resources. Absconding is a term used to describe an individual running away from you, wandering, or can be known as elopement. Knowing why they are absconding is the first step.
• Try and increase their attention and motivation: encourage them to engage in the people around them or activities they enjoy when at risk. Use sentences and words that keep them motivated in discussions and activities • Encourage communication as much as you can. Using verbal and picture cues to get them to ask for what they want or tell you how they are feeling. If something is too loud, there are too many people, ask for a break or they want that object/ food • Teaching specific instructions such as ‘walk with me’ and ‘stop’ and practice
client Consultative Committee Windermere Disability services are seeking expression of interest for the consumer consultative committee. This committee comprises of people who are currently accessing or who are on our Priority Needs Register to access services. The role of this committee is to open up discussions to provide feedback about the implementation of disability and other Windermere specific services. If you would like further information or to register to attend please contact Cheryle on 9705 3200. Respite & transport can be organised if required to attend the bi-monthly meeting.
these. Reward each time they do it with your instruction. • Know what sensory stimuli can lead to absconding. Is it loud noises, big crowds, too many lights for example? Slowly introduce these to them in a safe place and in short amounts to begin with. Work at the individual’s pace. • Point out visual markers in the area you are in. Locate a tree or a fence they can’t go past, or bring your own. • Teach them who is safe around the area you are in. Point out that you are the safest person and you are the one to help them. Discuss what strangers are not safe people, whose car they can and cannot go in, or who can they hug. • Be prepared. Explain to them where they are going and what they will be doing there. Giving them a responsibility or a goal while they are there, or even turn it into a game.
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bed wetting Night time urinary incontinence is a common issue for children. 75% of children commencing primary school still have regular “accidents”. Windermere operate a highly successful Bed Wetting Cessation program utilising hireable bell and pads in conjunction with an on site psychologist. This program has proved to be successful with 98% of participants. This services operates on a fee for service basis and is open to any child aged 6yrs and over. If you are interested in this service, please contact Teresa Gibson on 9705 3200.
continence support service The Continence support Service provides financial assistance from the Victorian Government fro children aged 5-15 years of age who have a disability and have bladder and/ or bowel issues. This service provides a continence assessment and provides financial assistance for the purchase of disposable continence products. For any information and application forms for this service, please contact Teresa Gibson on 9705 3200 or email ContinenceSS@windermere.org.au
financial support information
useful contacts Department of Human Services Intake & Response Team 1300 131 079 Providing information and support to people with disabilities & their carers. Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre Phone: 1800 052 222 www.carersouth.org.au Providing carers with information and support (business hours) and emergency respite (24 hours) Home & Community Care (HACC) services - respite/personal care/home maintenance • City of Casey 9705 5200 • City of Greater Dandenong Information & Referral worker 8571 5502 • Shire of Cardinia (MECWA care) 5941 5454
Money Help PH 1800 007 007 provides Financial Counselling over the Phone or you can go to http://www.moneyhelp.org.au
Association for Children with a Disability
To make sure you are getting all the concession you are entitled to, go to; Concessions Information Line 1800 658 521or concessions@dhs.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1800 654 013 www.acd.org.au
Casey North Information and Support Service can assist with; Emergency relief and financial counselling at 90-92 Victor Crescent, Narre Warren VIC 3805 for City of Casey residents.
Advocacy & support for families of children with a disability run by volunteers who are parents of children with a disability themselves.
Phone: (03) 9705 6699 http://www.caseynorthciss.com.au They can also assist with the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS). Salvation Army Doveton provides Emergency relief with material aid financial counseling Phone: (03) 9793 3933 1A Frawley Road, Doveton, VIC 3177
Companion card Information Line: 1800 650 611 www.companioncard.org.au Companion Card promotes the right of people with a disability, who require a companion, to fair ticketing at Victorian events and venues. Carers Australia
disability team Manager: Julie Knowles Team Leader: Kylie White Case Managers/Facilitators: Tracy Leak, Jenni Harvey, Nicole Thomas, Julie Pierce, Cheryle Koesemans, Amy Tarrant and Di Postie and Erin Gavan ASD Specialist: Katrina Herbert Continence Support Scheme Dry Nights and FaHCSIA programs: Teresa Gibson
Phone: 1800 242 636 Short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families.
possible suggestions If you have any suggestions for the upcoming disability newsletter or general feedback please let us know by contacting the disability intake worker on 9705 3200