Autism Connect

Autism Connect is Australia’s first national autism helpline. It provides information, advice and referrals to help autistic people, their supporters and professionals. 

This helpline is free, evidence-based and independent.  The friendly team offers expert advice in many areas, including:

• exploring autism and autistic identity

• assessment and diagnosis

• school and education

• the NDIS

• behaviour strategies

• referrals to services

• peer support connections

• finding autism-friendly places and events

If you need immediate support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Parentline on 13 22 89.

Please note: this is not a counselling service, and we do not provide healthcare referrals. However, we can give information about accessing these services.

Call Now: 1300 308 699

Kaiko Fidgets

Kaiko Fidgets is based in Melbourne, Australia and is co-founded by Kai, who is both autistic & dyslexic. 

The Kaiko range of discreet and noiseless fidgets is for both adults & kids to assist with mental health, anxiety & focus. Kai started making fidgets for himself, at age 11, and soon realised there was very little available. 

Kai (now in his teens), with the help of his Occupational Therapist mum Jo, have created designs to suit a wide range of needs.

We are pleased to announce that our friends at Kaiko Fidgets are now offering our users a 10% discount on their products! All you need to do is use the code “awetism” at checkout and your order will be on it’s way!

Sensory Connect

Sensory Connect is an Online store with products for those on the Autism Spectrum and others who experiance Sensory Processing challenges. Huge range of books, musical equipment, technology and sensory tools.

Loop Earplugs

Loop earplugs have been highly praised by millions of noise-sensitive and neurodivergent users around the world. From helping them tune out triggering sounds in social settings without feeling so distant to helping them focus at work, Loop earplugs help neurodivergent people get through their day at their volume. Try for yourself risk-free with 100-day free returns.

Bryce recently got a pair of Loop engage earplugs and have found them to be very helpful in high sensory environments such as shopping centres and airports. Use the button below and get 15% off your order.

The Parenting Spectrum

You’re invited into the home of Fiona and Travis, and their son Patch as they discover what an autism diagnosis means and what happens next.

It's the podcast Fiona and Travis needed when Patch was first diagnosed.

They’ll explore issues including safety, lack of sleep, finding the right school, and how to help your child embrace their identity and prepare for adulthood.

This Australian family gains insight and understanding from autistic people worldwide as well as parents and professionals.

If you're one of the millions of people globally with an autistic family member The Parenting Spectrum is your guide, your community and your support network.

Listen able

Hosts Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin speak to people living with disabilities about their lives and ask them the questions you thought were off-limits. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll learn something. This is a podcast for everyone - disabled or abled, and hopes to break down stigmas, change perceptions, and to challenge what you think it’s like to live with disability.

This podcast is available wherever you prefer to listen to your podcasts including:

Extra Ordinary

Extra Ordinary is a podcast where we have an honest chat (and a good laugh!) about what it’s like to live with a disability. On the show, we have open conversations about what it’s actually like to live with a disability. You’ll hear about the unique challenges we encounter, the funny situations we face, and learn what it’s like to be in our shoes. Hosted by stand-up comedian Oliver Hunter.

Queerly Autistic - The Ultimate Guide for LGBTQIA+ Teens on the Spectrum

In this empowering and honest guide for LGBTQIA+ autistic teens, Erin Ekins gives you all the tools you need to figure out and explore your gender identity and sexuality.

From coming out to friends and family, staying safe in relationships and practicing safe sex, through to self-care and coping with bullying, being out and about in the LGBTQIA+ community and undergoing gender transition, this book is filled with essential information, advice, support and resources to help you on your journey, and also works as a primer on all things LGBTQIA+ for non-autistic teens who are just figuring it all out.

Written by an inspirational autistic queer woman, this is a must-read for every autistic teen wanting to live their very best queer life.

Different Not Less

Growing up, Chloé Hayden felt like she'd crash-landed on an alien planet where nothing made sense. Eye contact? Small talk? And WHY are you people so touch oriented? She moved between 10 schools in 8 years, struggling to become a person she believed society would accept, and was eventually diagnosed with autism and ADHD. It was only after a life-changing group of allies showed her that different did not mean less that she learned to celebrate her true voice and find her happily ever after.

Different, Not Less is a moving, at times funny story of how it feels to be neurodivergent as well as a practical guide, with insights on how autism and ADHD present differently in females, advice for living with meltdowns and shutdowns, tips for finding supportive relationships, communities and workplaces and much more.

Whether you're neurodivergent or supporting those who are, Different, Not Less will inspire you to create a more inclusive world where everyone feels like they belong.

Autism & Sexuality

On the 18th of October 2022 Bryce published a blog post discussing his journey towards discovering and accepting his LGBTQIA+ identity.

LGBTQIA+

On this page we discuss the communities represented in the LGBTQIA+ acronym

Attraction

Throughout your journey to discovering your sexual orientation you will hear the word attraction come up quite a bit; however what is it? This page can be used as a guide while you explore your own sexuality.

Spectrum Intersections

Spectrum Intersections is a free peer led group for people 18 and over who identifies as being under the LGBTIQA+ umbrella and under the neurodiversity spectrum, this includes but is not limited to autism spectrum, ADHD/ADD, Tourettes Syndrome, OCD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Epilepsy, and all other conditions that leads to a brain functioning outside of Neurotypical.

This group does not require a medical diagnosis of neurodiversity to attend the group, and recognises the current access barriers that exist in gaining one.

If a peer would like to bring along additional people (ie. Ally, friend, family, partner) it must go through the facilitators, their attendance is subject to the discretion of the facilitators to ensure the safety and integrity of the group.

Support Workers are welcome but need to be clear on their role.

Ambitious About Autism - LGBTQIA+ Blogs

Read a series of blogs from autistic young people about their experiences of being LGBTQIA+.

Queerly Autistic - The Ultimate Guide for LGBTQIA+ Teens on the Spectrum

In this empowering and honest guide for LGBTQIA+ autistic teens, Erin Ekins gives you all the tools you need to figure out and explore your gender identity and sexuality.

From coming out to friends and family, and staying safe in relationships through to self-care and coping with bullying, being out and about in the LGBTQIA+ community and undergoing gender transition, this book is filled with essential information, advice, support and resources to help you on your journey, and also works as a primer on all things LGBTQIA+ for non-autistic teens who are just figuring it all out.

Written by an inspirational autistic queer woman, this is a must-read for every autistic teen wanting to live their very best queer life.

We know who we are: the parallels of Autistic and LGBTQIA+ pride

On Tuesday 23rd June, Aspect helped to organise a panel of autistic LGBTQIA+ people who gathered to discuss what pride means to them, what challenges they have faced in life and how we can all be better allies in school, work and the community.

I CAN Network: LGBTQIA+ Webinar

WEBINAR - Hear From I CAN Autistic And LGBTIQA+ Team Members Who Offer Authentic Advice For Like Minded Teens And Young Adults.

The Field

The Field is a job site that has been designed by people with a disability, for people with a disability. The Field was designed with the objective of connecting people with a disability with inclusive employers. The Field offers many unique features that help make looking for a job more accessible helping to level the playing field for jobseekers.

We are proud to say that Bryce took part in the consultation and testing process of the development of this site ensuring that it would be accessible to autistics. If you are an autistic looking for work or you are an employer who may be interested in employing a person with a disability I highly recommend you check it out.

Red Sparrow Books

Red Sparrow Books is a website filled with interactive social stories and visual schedules designed and created to familiarize children with places, situations and daily routines that might normally present a challenge. This creates more opportunities for inclusion and the ability to reduce anxiety whilst teaching valuable life skills. 

Remindables

Remindables are colourful clip-on reminder tags for your kid’s school bag to help remind them what they need to pack and what needs to come back! 

Notice we said ‘them’ and not ‘you’? That’s the whole idea! 

Got their hat? Their asthma pump? Their lunchbox? Is sport on after school? Is Dad picking them up? I hope they don’t leave their jumper at school...again!

Remindables are a fun tool to help your kids stay organised at home and at school, leaving you with one (or seven) less things to worry about!

Pablo

Pablo is a Northern Irish TV show about a 5 ½ year old boy who uses his crayons to turn his life challenges, such as going to the supermarket or a party into fantastic adventures with his animal friends who help him face the real world with confidence. Pablo is on the autism spectrum however, as the theme song says, Pablo just “thinks differently, sees the world in different ways.”

This show is the first of it’s kind with an all autistic writing team and cast, not to mention there is no mention of Pablo actually being on the autism spectrum allowing the world to understand that being autistic is not wrong. We just perceive and experience the world in a different and as seen in Pablo sometimes a more interesting way.

I recommend you give the show a watch, you can see it on ABC Kids and Netflix

Clickability

Clickability is an online service directory where people with disabilities, carers and referrers (e.g. support coordinators) can both search for new services and rate and review ones they’ve already used. Using our directory, people with disability can make an informed choice, as they try to find a service that suits their needs. Bryce Pace - Autism Advocate is proudly listed as a service on Clickability and we welcome any feedback you have regarding our services.

The A List

The A List is a national (Australian) online platform enabling young autistic people and their families to search and book ‘autism-friendly’ activities all around Australia, including peer support groups and community options.

Awe In Autism

Awe In Autism is a website filled with inspiring personal stories of people on the autism spectrum and their families.

Actually Autistic Blogs

Actually Autistic Blogs is a list of blogs written by people on the Autism Spectrum. their goal is to assemble the most complete possible list of Autistic blogs.

Autistic not Weird

Autistic not weird is a blog written by Chris Bonnello a former teacher in both mainstream and special education in the U.K who is also on the Autism Spectrum.

Amaze

Amaze is the peak body for people on the autism spectrum and their supporters in Victoria.

Amaze raises awareness and influences positive change for people on the autism spectrum and their families/supporters and provides independent, credible information and resources to individuals, families, professionals, government and the wider community.

Aspergers Victoria

Aspergers Victoria has been empowering the Asperger/Autistic community for almost three decades by providing:.

• Peer Groups: Aspergers Victoria run community meetings for children, young people and adults with Aspergers, as well as partners, parents and siblings, to connect with their peers.

• Information: Aspergers Victoria’s volunteer-run information service provides specialised information about Aspergers via a popular website, email information service, newsletters, social media and our information kit. This can cover diagnosis, schools advice, available professionals, key research findings and approaches.

• Educational Events: Aspergers Victoria run information and discovery events and workshops relevant to those with Aspergers

• Employment Coaching: Aspergers Victoria provide tailored coaching for employers and managers about employing people living with Aspergers, educative talks for employers, as well as mentoring job-seekers with Aspergers about employment approaches.

Youth Disability Advocacy Service

The Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) is a state-wide advocacyservice for young people with disabilities in Victoria. YDAS is the only advocacy service in Australia which exists specifically to work directly with young people with disabilities to achieve their human rights.

Yellow Ladybugs

Yellow Ladybugs is an autistic-led non-government organisation with strong bridges to the community. We are dedicated to the happiness, success and celebration of autistic girls and women1 . We believe autistic individuals of all genders deserve to be recognised, valued, accepted and supported in order to realise their full potential.

Yellow Ladybugs runs regular informal social events that offer peer-to-peer connections for autistic girls and gender diverse young people, generally between the ages of five and sixteen. Our events bring our members together in an inclusive, fun and sensory-friendly setting. Underpinning every Yellow Ladybugs event, our mission is to foster a sense of belonging, to help our autistic members connect with their peers, and to instil a sense of autistic pride within our community.

Villamanta

Villamanta is a Community Legal Centre operating throughout the state of Victoria on disability related legal and justice issues.

Villamanta’s mission is to protect and advance the rights of Victorians with a disability by advising, informing and representing them and acting as an advocate on disability related legal and justice issues

Autism Actually

Autism Actually is a consultancy and mentoring business based in Victoria, Australia, that provides workshops and presentations on Autism in Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary settings. Autism Actually aims to instil a positive mindset in, Autism individuals, parents, and staff members about Autism through accepting and embracing the Autism and empowering Autistic individuals to follow their passions and recognise their full potential.

As I Am.ie

AsIAm.ie aims to provide a one-stop-shop for the Autism community in Ireland. From providing the public and those with the condition a portal of information about Autism, to providing a platform for people affected by Autism to share their stories and views, to providing a strong voice for the concerns of the community – AsIAm.ie has it all!

Melbourne Airport Hidden Disability Program

An airport can be a stressful experience, especially when travelling on an international flight. It is even more stressful when you or someone you are travelling with has a disability which is not immediately apparent to airport staff – a Hidden Disability like autism. Melbourne airport has recently implemented the Hidden Disability Program for it’s International Terminal to assist you on your journey through our International Airport. This program supports travellers requiring special assistance as they travel through our airport. The program includes a discreet ID lanyard to alert staff, social stories, sensory maps and trained staff to assist you on your journey.

Metro Trains: Hidden Disability Program

To support passengers with hidden disabilities, Metro Trains is part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. Passengers can wear a Sunflower product to show they might need assistance, or a little more time. You can find out more about the program via clicking the below button.

Parks Victoria Autism Friendly Visits

Parks Victoria is working to increase the accessibility of its parks for people on the autism spectrum. The social script resources for children on the autism spectrum have  been developed with the professional assistance of AMAZE.

The social script has photographs and simple text to show children what they may see and experience during a visit to a park. 

Museums Victoria: Autism Friendly Museum Program

Museums Victoria provides social scripts and sensory maps for individuals on the autism spectrum to help them prepare for their visit to our museums. Please note the below link takes you to the school visit resources click on the museum you wish to visit and then scroll to the bottom of the page to access the family resources.

Marvel Stadium Sensory Resources

Please Note

It has recently come to our attention that Marvel Stadium staff have shown ablism towards patrons with a disability.. This has included instances where people have been barred from using the sensory room and being asked to show proof of diagnosis in order to receive sensory packs. If you are planning on attending an event at Marvel Stadium we recommend you keep this in mind.

Want to go to the footy or see a concert however are afraid you can’t due to your sensory challenges? Look no further as Marvel Stadium’s vision of creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all its fans has reached new heights with the creation and development of Melbourne’s first stadium sensory room.

Also included on their website are sensory heat maps and a social story and information about where to collect a sensory kit ensuring everyone can enjoy their time at Marvel Stadium.

GMHBA Stadium Sensory Zone

Our objective at GMHBA Stadium is to provide an inclusive experience for every guest. We strive to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing challenges by supplying our staff, customer service and security members with training and by offering the resources and accommodations below to our guests.

Resources included in this program include

• Multi-sensory room

• Social Stories

• Sensory kits