Resources
In the sections below you can find some free resources that may be useful. They include the notes from some of our past parent information meetings, recipes for our past making days (both food and not), and some posters we have printed for our meeting spaces.
The most important one though is our Mental Health Services page for Adelaide. This is a list of providers that offer mental health services appropriate for Autistic children under the age of 12 years. It can be downloaded from this link. We will do our best to update this page regularly to ensure the information is current.
Talk Notes
On this page you will find a selection of files that have been created to use at the Spectrum Connect group meetings. They are shared here for people to use as they wish.
Navigating the NDIS talk notes
In July 2021 Spectrum Connect hosted a talk for parents offering advice on Navigating the NDIS offering practical advice on advocating for your child.
The attached notes were intended as a mental refresher for those who attended the talk but may still offer some help for those who are looking for some general insight.
A set of notes that accompanied that talk can be downloaded by clicking on the image above.
What do different therapies do? Talk notes
In January of 2022 Spectrum Connect hosted a talk for parents that examined the different types of therapies typically offered to Autistic kids in Australia.
The attached notes were intended as a mental refresher for those who attended the talk but may still offer some help for those who are looking for some general guidance.
The pdf file can be downloaded by clicking on the image above.
Supporting Autistic Kids in Mainstream Educational Environments talk notes
In July of 2022 Spectrum Connect hosted a talk for parents that discussed resources to support Autistic children who were attending mainstream educational organisations.
These notes were intended as a mental refresher for those who attended the talk but may still offer some help for those who are looking for some general guidance.
The pdf file can be downloaded by clicking on the image above.
Creating Safe Online Habits for Autistic Children talk notes
In April of 2023 Spectrum Connect hosted a talk for parents that discussed ways to support safe online habits for Autistic children. It identified some of the benefits of online interactions but also looked at building good communication and understanding of risks.
These notes were intended as a mental refresher for those who attended the talk but may still offer some help for those who are looking for some general guidance.
The pdf file can be downloaded by clicking on the image above.
Recipes
On this page you will find a selection of files that have been created to use at the Spectrum Connect group meetings. They are shared here for people to use as they wish.
Chicken Nugget Recipe
In our Winter term for 2021 we did a cooking week where we made Chicken Nuggets (with zucchini) from scratch. The food was a big hit and everyone ate all of their share. Some parents have told me they have since made batches at home because the kids have requested them.
Please note, this was a large batch intended to feed 8 hungry kids, so you may only want to try a half batch.
Click on the image above to download a pdf.
Bath Bomb Recipe
For one of our group meetings we spent our afternoon making bath bombs. This is the recipe and process we used!
Click on the image above to download a pdf.
Ice-Cream-in-a-Bag Recipe
A recipe from another of our group meetings. This sounds strange but it works a treat! It takes about 20minutes from start to finish and at the end you have a really tasty ice cream that you made yourself. The uploaded copy includes notes on how to alter the recipe for vegan, lactose free and sugar free. The recipe is gluten free also.
Click on the image above to download a pdf.
Large Pretzel Recipe
Nice hot toasty German style bread pretzels. This recipe is a lot of fun. This recipe has the sprinkle of salt added for a savoury pretzel, but if sweet is your thing you can swap in some raw sugar crystals. This particular version included using Nutlex and gluten free flour to ensure that allergies were catered for.
Click on the image above to download a pdf.
Printed Posters
On this page you will find a selection of files that have been created to use at the Spectrum Connect group meetings. They are shared here for people to use as they wish.
How I'm Feeling Poster
You may be familiar with the "Zones Of Regulation" concept used and the imagery that goes with it. This is our variation on that design. The intention of this version is to be used as a communication tool rather than a recognition tool. It should be used together with the face tags which are the next file.
The file was made as a size A2 to be printed and used in classroom style settings but can be reduced in size for smaller locations. File is large for print purposes.
Click on picture above to download.
How I'm Feeling Face Tags
These face tags go with the How I'm Feeling Poster. The idea is to print out these tags, cut them out along the black line and use tack or velcro or a similar attachment to make them removeable. Some Autistic kids find verbal communication skills difficult when they are in heightened emotional states, both happy/excited and sad/stressed end of the emotional spectrum. These cards can be used as a communication card for children who need to tell a carer or teacher how they feel when they don't have the ability to do so with words.
Files was made as a size A3 to compliment the A2 poster print. Can be reduced in size for smaller versions.
Click on picture above to download.
My Body Boundaries Poster
Designed as a quick introduction to concepts of personal space and consent, this poster maps out the idea that different people have different levels of closeness that they are ok with. It encourages children to respect other people's boundaries and to assert themselves in setting their own boundaries.
This file was made as a size A2 to be printed and used in classroom style settings but can be reduced for smaller locations. File is large for print purposes.
Click on picture above to download.