The Scene

Issue 3, 12 February 2007

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Feature

Home Modifications – Parent Information Session
Is your home design a help or hindrance? How can you modify your home to make day-to-day activities easier for your child with a disability and your whole family? What is the process (and pitfalls) for receiving practical and financial assistance to make your home accessible?

Neroli Dickson, The Spastic Centre’s Consultant for Occupational Therapy, will explore these questions in a presentation for parents held at various venues across Sydney in March.

Location: The Spastic Centre
- Ryde – Tuesday 6 March, 10am-12noon - 3a Smalls Rd (next to the Dept. of Education and Training)
- Prairiewood – Thursday 15 March, 10am–12noon – 224-244 Restwell Rd
- Allambie Hts – Tuesday 27 March, 7pm–9pm – Administration Blg (Board Room), 189 Allambie Rd.

Refreshments provided. Childcare is available only on request. Minimum five days notice.

Bookings are essential. Please RSVP to Penny Clarke, Research and Service Development, Phone 02 9975 8227 or email pclarke@tscnsw.org.au Please let Penny know if you would like to be on the email list for future flyers.

Note: A Home Modifications Workshop for allied health professionals is offered through the CP Institute Education Calendar.

Arts

Accessible Arts 2007
Accessible Arts is the peak arts and disability organisation in NSW. Their website showcases a huge range of arts activities in which people with disabilities can participate.

There is so much happening in 2007 … everything from painting, drawing, cookery, collage, drama, music, photography and literature to a course on Grecian culture!

Take a look at the full listing on the Accessible Arts website at www.aarts.net.au (click on the Events and Opportunities link).

Out & About

Sydney Royal Easter Show
The country comes to the city again at the Royal Easter Show at Sydney Showground, Homebush, from 5-18 April. Any person with a disability may bring a carer free of charge and if you book before 17 March you will receive a 20% discount.

Discounted tickets and special bookings - Ticketek on 02 8512 9933.

Visit the Sydney Royal Easter Show website for details of all the show attractions and special exhibits.

Sports

2007 National Junior Games for Athletes with a Disability
The National Junior Games for Athletes with a Disability are held every two years. This year, it will be held from 29 September to 4 October at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, Wakehurst Parkway, Narrabeen. 300 athletes, aged 12 to 20 years, from across Australia will compete in archery, wheelchair basketball, powerlifting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field. For information about participating, phone Kathleen at Wheelchair Sports NSW on 02 9809 5260 or email kathleenn@wsnsw.org.au.

More Soccer Programs for Children with Special Needs
Last issue we told you about the Sutherland Titans – a special needs soccer cub for children in the southern part of Sydney. In the Northern Suburbs, three clubs also offer children with an intellectual disability the chance to play adapted soccer. Each player may have a chaperone on the field to assist and direct until the player can play independently. For information, email David Howard on dwhoward@optusnet.com.au or call 02 9402 5317. The program is available at:

West Pymble Soccer Club – a program for children aged 5 to 8. It costs $170 and is run at West Pymble Public School, West Pymble every Saturday at 1pm. For more information see www.wpsc.asn.au, or email specialneeds@wpsc.asn.au.

St Ives Soccer Club – Runs a program for children aged 7 to 12. It costs $155 and is run at Toolang Oval, St Ives every Saturday at 1 pm.For more information see www.stivessoccer.com.au or email registrar@stivessoccer.com.au.

West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Soccer Club – runs the Special Soccer program for children with a disability that simulates a match played between two junior teams. Expressions of interest are currently being accepted.

To register your interest, contact Brendon Upson, Special Soccer Co-ordinator, on 0403 197 414, email bupson@wnc.net.au or see http://wphcsoccer.net.au.

[ Source: Warringah Disability Information Service]

Toy Libraries

Toys for All
Toy libraries provide a variety of quality educational toys and play equipment to assist the development of children with special needs. The following libraries can also provide suggestions for choosing and using toys to help foster learning and develop skills.

Cubby House Toy Library Inc
32 Howard Ave, Dee Why NSW.
This community based toy library has toys, books, tapes for children aged six weeks to 12 years with special needs (physical, developmental, learning, speech, emotional, social) and reference books for their parents living in Manly, Warringah and Pittwater. Occupational therapist appointments are free to members. It is available: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9.45am-1pm; Fridays and Saturdays 9.45am-12pm. Closed public and school holidays. It costs $10 joining fee plus annual $100 per family, $200 groups, $300 private practitioners. This covers all toy loans and OT appointments. For an initial appointment, prospective members can phone 02 9971 7006, fax 02 9971 7006, or email cubbyh@tpg.com.au.

Noah’s Ark Toy Library for Children with Special Needs Inc
2 Elizabeth St, Artarmon NSW 2064. A mobile van visits Artarmon, Baulkham Hills, Ryde (The Spastic Centre at 3a Smalls Rd), Thornleigh, Wahroonga.
Loans toys and play equipment for children aged to six years with special needs. Provides support and advice on play, choosing /using toys and equipment to assist child development and therapy programs. Office hours Mondays 10am-3pm. Library hours vary with location. Closed public and school holidays. Annual fee is $60 family; $100 group – by cash or cheque. Phone 02 9411 4429, fax 02 9411 4429, email info@toys4specialneeds.org.au or see www.toys4specialneeds.org.au.

[Source: Warringah Disability Information Service]

Health Care

Better Access to Psychologists Through the Medicare Benefits Schedule
In November 2006, the Australian Government introduced new Medicare items for psychological treatment by registered psychologists. This service provides considerable assistance to people living with mental heath problems, allowing them greater access to psychologists and providing more affordable mental healthcare.
Under the new Medicare scheme, all registered psychologists who are endorsed by Medicare Australia can provide treatment for mental health problems. Medicare rebates are also available for consultations with specialist clinical psychologists, who are experts in the assessment and treatment of mental disorders.
For the full fact sheet go to www.psychology.org.au/members/Medicare/Medicare_Fact_Sheet1.pdf

[Source: The Australian Psychological Society]

Health Check to Benefit People with Intellectual Disability
A new Medicare rebate has been introduced for people with an intellectual disability. The Government has recognised that “people with an intellectual disability had complex health needs that were difficult to adequately assess because of the patient’s inability to recognize and communicate symptoms” which in turn results in “around 40% of medical conditions remain undiagnosed and that only half of the diagnosed conditions are appropriately treated”. The new rebate will allow GPs to spend more time with their patients with intellectual disability and better take care of their health.

The rebate will be available from July 2007. More information about the Health Check to Benefit People with Intellectual Disabilities.

[Source: NSW Department of Health]

Have Your Say on Health Care for Teens and Young Adults
Invitation to join a …
Working group about youth with developmental disabilities who transit from paediatric to adult health services

NSW Health’s Greater Metropolitan Clinical Taskforce (GMCT) Transition Program invites young people aged 14-24, their carers and professionals (from services like mainstream and special schools, residential hospitals and group homes) to join a working group to explore issues specific to youth with developmental disability.

Specific problem areas to be addressed by a working group could be:
- The problem of young people with developmental disability presenting for the first time to adult emergency departments with no preparation and no medical documentation
- Lack of transition preparation generally for youth with developmental disability
- Improved documentation and transfer of information from the paediatric health setting to adult services and identifying the information needed by adult clinicians.

The GMCT wants your opinions by attending meetings at the GMCT offices at Ryde or in writing. For information, phone Program Manager Lynne Brodie on 02 9887 5578 or email lbrodie@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au.

Technability

All-Turn-It Spinner
All-Turn-It Spinner is a fun, practical inclusion tool for students with special needs. It enables them to play games such as Bingo or rolling dice simply by pressing a switch. When activated, both the arrow and inner overlays spin in opposite directions until a random selection is made. All-Turn-It Spinner is battery operated and comes with a pre-printed dice overlay. A great range of All-Turn-It Spinner overlays are also available (sold separately) including Bowling, Golf, Soccer, Basketball and a Create-Your-Own Overlay Kit.

For more information on All-Turn-It Spinner visit www.technability.com.au

Conferences .. Workshops .. Forums (Service Providers)

Cerebral Palsy Institute Professional Development Calendar
In 2007, the CP Institute (an initiative of The Spastic Centre) is offering a diverse program of educational events to support clinicians to translate evidence into practice when supporting people with cerebral palsy.

Workshops include:
- Introduction to assistive technology
- Power mobility
- Environmental modifications
- Assessment and treatment of movement disorders
- Makaton
- Seating and positioning
- Upper limb splinting and casting

View the calendar at www.cpinstitute.com.au/news/ or email Jill Maginnity, jmaginnity@tscnsw.org.au

10th National Dyspraxia Conference
7–9 March 2007

This years theme is ‘Dyspraxia – More Than Just a Hiccup’ and aims to promote a multidisciplinary approach to understanding and supporting children and young adults with Developmental Dyspraxia. Keynote speakers include Dr Geoff Bailey, Dr Sharynne McLeod and Dr. Christine Chapparo.

It is being held at the Richmond Club, Richmond, NSW and there are limited seats are available. Contact Christine Meredith by phone 0245 776 220 or email information@dyspraxia.com.au

Service Providers

Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement
The Senate Standing Committee on Community Services has released its report on the funding and operation of the Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA).

The committee made 29 recommendations, with the primary one being a joint commitment from all governments to provide additional funding for specialist services, particularly accommodation services and support as part of the fourth CSTDA. Additional funding was also recommended for early intervention, extra places in the Disability Employment Network for disability support pensioners without mutual obligation requirements. The committee also recognised the importance of transport and Patient Assisted Travel Schemes.

For more details, and links to the report and the coverage in the news media, see the item about the CSTDA on the the Disability Infoxchange website.

Classifieds

Wanted to Buy - Rifton Pacer Gait Trainer
Parents, Lawrence and Debbie, would like to buy a second-hand Rifton Pacer Gait Trainer. Size - large.

They require just the walking base, not the add-ons, as their son doesn’t require them. Happy to discuss.

Please contact Lawrence or Debbie on Ph 02 4422 4722.

PDF (print-friendly version) of this issue of The Scene.

What would you like to see in "The Scene"? Email Robyn Cummins Information Manager at The Spastic Centre if you would like to contribute any ideas, advise of any future events or know of any websites that might be of interest to others.

Disclaimer
Opinions expressed in items of The Scene are the individual opinions of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of The Spastic Centre or the editors. Products and companies featured in The Scene are not necessarily endorsed by The Spastic Centre. The Scene is intended to be informative only and should not be relied on as medical or other technical advice on any matter. The Spastic Centre and editor take no responsibility for the information published in this newsletter or any person's actions in reliance on that information.