Adaptable Social Work

18/09/2026

Join us for a free webinar where we’ll explain some of the key NDIS changes and how they may impact people with disability, families and carers in our community.

In this webinar, we will talk about:

➤ Some of the biggest changes to the NDIS
➤ When they will happen
➤ Where you can go for support and more information

📅 Date: Wednesday 30 September
⏰ Time: 7.00 – 8.00 PM (AEST)
🔗 Register: https://buff.ly/ntYONaF

This webinar is being run by the Down Syndrome Australia Consortium for members of our community. We represent people with intellectual disability caused by chromosomal variation, including people with high and complex support needs.

This webinar is for any person with disability, their family, carers or support person can attend. There will be a presentation followed by questions.

18/09/2026

The victorian Virtual Emergency Department is an option for people requiring urgent medical support.
see below image for one such scenario of needing urgent medical support (image taken from ACD news letter)


https://ved.vic.gov.au/

18/09/2026

The results are in. - Autism is genetic but with more to learn no single test exists to diagnose autism.


https://www.autism.org.uk/blog/autism-is-genetic-–-and-why-this-information-matters-now

16/09/2026

Autistic people have many strengths that the world needs.

We’re sharing this beautiful reminder from Ginny Grant, featured in our Autistic Welcome Pack. ✨

Autistic people often receive messages about what we need to overcome or do differently. But being Autistic is not something that needs fixing.

We all bring our own unique experiences, strengths and perspectives and every Autistic person has something meaningful to contribute.

To every Autistic person reading this today: The world is a better place because you're in it. 💜

🔗 You can access our free Autistic Welcome Pack via this link:
https://reframingautism.org.au/service/welcome-pack/



[ID: Against a magenta background, with the Reframing Autism logo at the top and the colourful knotwork in the lower left corner, white text between large quotation marks reads, "You have so many strengths – strengths that come from being Autistic. The world needs people like you. The world needs Autistic people" - Ginny Grant, citing the clinician who conducted her Autism diagnosis.]

15/09/2026

Understanding why an individual is acting out is key to helping them.
In behavioural support, we group these reasons into Four Functions of Behaviour—plus a very important fifth one that often gets overlooked: Pain Attenuation.

Here is a quick breakdown of what drives behavior:
🔍 The 4 Core Functions are:

🛫Escape:
Trying to get out of doing something (like homework or chores).

🔗Attention:
Looking for a reaction or connection from parents, teachers, or peers.

💝Tangibles:
Wanting a specific item, food, or activity right now.

👂👀Sensory (Automatic): Doing something because it physically feels good or calming to their body.

🩹 The Hidden Function:

Pain Attenuation:
Sometimes, behavior isn't about pushing buttons—it's about survival. Pain attenuation happens when a behavior is used to reduce, dull, or escape physical pain or discomfort.

If a child is hitting their jaw, slamming their head, or suddenly having a massive meltdown, they might be dealing with a hidden earache, a painful tooth, or a severe headache. The behavior is their way of trying to stop the pain.

Before we assume a behavior is just "being naughty” or "seeking attention," we always need to rule out medical discomfort first!

Do you need help decoding why your NDIS participant is behaving the way they are?

Let’s chat ....
☎️. 0472 510 133

14/09/2026

Is school pick up a difficult time for you? Does your disabled child experience after-school restraint collapse from working so hard to hold it all together through out the school day?

If so here are a few do’s and don’t’s to help you manage the school pick up.






https://www.facebook.com/share/19YE6GW7tu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

School pickup can be the moment everything a child has been holding together all day begins to spill out.

They may be tired, hungry, overloaded, quiet, irritable or suddenly emotional — and firing questions at them the moment they come through the gate can add even more demand.

Sometimes the most helpful welcome is simple: warmth, food, low pressure and time to decompress.

Connection first. Questions later.

And remember, not every child will want to talk about their day straight away. Giving them space does not mean we are ignoring them — it can be exactly what helps them regulate enough to reconnect.

NEXT MONDAY our free guide will be AFTER SCHOOL RESTRAINT COLLAPSE.

10/09/2026

Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and protected at home.

Research shows that children with a disability experience domestic and family violence at significantly higher rates, making up nearly 30% of children exposed to these environments.

Yet, their unique experiences and needs are often overlooked.

When family violence happens, the impact on children with a disability can be profound:

Increased Vulnerability: Perpetrators may target a child's specific vulnerabilities, communication barriers, or dependence on others for care to obtain and maintain their control over the safe parent.

Disruption of Routines: Sudden moves or unstable environments cause severe trauma and distress for children who rely on consistent daily routines and specialized equipment.

Barriers to Access Help: Unsafe housing and support services often lack proper accessibility, making it harder for families to escape safely.

Long-Term Trauma:
Exposure impairs emotional, social, and cognitive development, leaving lasting mental and physical health scars.

We must ensure that disability awareness is built into every family violence support service and legal system.

Children are victim-survivors in their own right and deserve specialized, trauma-informed care.

If you or someone you know is affected by family violence, help is available:
Emergency: Call 000 if anyone is in immediate danger.
National Support: Contact 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732 for 24/7 family violence counseling.
For Young People: Reach out to Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 anytime.





https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1H4wSLRvB4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/09/2026

➡️Navigating the NDIS after receiving a diagnosis can feel overwhelming. ⁉️Many people are told they need to access the scheme, but they aren't given a clear roadmap 🧭on how to actually do it.

To help you get started, I am offering a free, no-obligation, one-off conversation to guide you through the initial steps of accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

What We Will Cover:
🎯The Eligibility Criteria: the disability requirement
📋The Access Request Form (ARF): How to complete it and what information to include.
ℹ️Gathering Evidence: What specific reports and documentation you need from your doctors or specialists to prove "functional impact."
⏭️Next Steps: What to expect once you submit your request to the NDIA.

Why Connect?
✅Zero Obligation: This is purely an information-sharing session. There is no pressure to sign up for any ongoing services.
✅Clear Direction: Cut through the jargon and get straightforward, practical advice tailored to your situation.
✅Peace of Mind: Move from feeling stuck to knowing exactly what your next move is.
If you or a loved one have recently received a diagnosis and need help figuring out the NDIS entry process, let’s talk.

☎️0472 510 133
📧[email protected]