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-1-’Lswa-n South West Autism Network
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Acknowledgements
SWAN acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which this submission was produced, the Wardandi Noongar people. We acknowledge the deep spiritual connection to this land and extend our respects to community members and Elders past, present, and emerging.
Submission preparation This submission was prepared by South West Autism Network Inc (SWAN). In order to write this submission, we listened to the views, concerns and experiences of autistic youth who participate in one of our four Youth Engaging Successfully (YES) Program groups. Due to Covid-19, YES Program sessions are held in a blended format - both in-person and virtually via Zoom. YES Group members were asked questions and able to provide their responses verbally, on coloured post-it notes or by typing in the Zoom chat. Each dot point is a statement made by one of the 37 members of our four YES Program groups.
About YES Program
Youth Engaging Successfully (YES Program) is a social and friendship group program for autistic teens and young adults (and related developmental disabilities). There are currently four groups providing a fantastic opportunity for youth to relax, learn, and build friendships with like-minded peers in a safe, supported and inclusive environment.
Youth Engaging Successfully aims to improve:
■ self esteem ■ resilience ■ emotional intelligence
■ friendship ■ confidence ■ independence
■ initiative ■ interaction
All groups are facilitated by a Registered / Provisional Psychologist or Occupational
Therapist, with the assistance of volunteer mentors.
About SWAN
The South West Autism Network (SWAN) is grateful to the Disability Royal
Commission for the opportunity for youth with disability living in regional WA to have their say on barriers, discrimination
SWAN is a not for profit, charitable organisation supporting autistic individuals and their families living in the south west region of Western Australia for the past 13 years. We are a Disabled Persons and Families Organisation (DPFO), currently delivering two Information Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) projects. We have almost 2000 registered members, with hundreds more people with disability and their families accessing support from SWAN. All staff, volunteers and Board members either have a disability, are a family member of people with disability, or both.
Our role in the community is to provide information, peer support, advocacy, and connection to mainstream and disability services, building the capacity of people with disability and their families to navigate Government and non-government systems in order to meet their needs and participate in their local communities. We support people seeking diagnosis, post diagnosis, and across the lifespan.
SWAN Youth Submission to the Disability Royal Commission Page 2 of 7
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Discrimination
Have you ever experienced a sense of being excluded or being
discriminated against when accessing the community or support
services?
■ These days I feel more accepted
■ People just not understanding rather than being malicious ■ Generic support ■ Lack of understanding ■ Unintentional discrimination
Education
What are your ideas to improve the experiences of people with disability at school, TAFE or University?
■ TAFE - Ask students for guidance / assistance to learn more social skills. ■ Teachers should become support workers. ■ Do subjects that you want so when you get a job you are trained. ■ Have one teacher and one Education Assistant - less change over (for high school). ■ School is nice.
■ Hire more Education Assistants to guide students in order to achieve great
accomplishments. ■ The requirements for people without disability are the same for people with disability, some requirements might not be able to be met. ■ Have more teachers that have an understanding of disabilities. ■ Learn Braille and Auslan. ■ Allow overwhelmed students some quiet time. ■ Choose activities that we would like to learn. ■ Good, kind, disciplined teachers. ■ Schools push children to make decisions. ■ Animal therapy. ■ Teachers explain what a disability is, how it disables someone from doing things or performing tasks. ■ If the teacher told the students that a student had a disability so they can be more aware. ■ Less tech, more breaks. ■ Have sign language for hearing impaired. ■ Educators should require at least basic disability and mental health training. ■ Support people who are being bullied (social supports/skills). ■ Research and have experience with people with disability. ■ Teach them nicely how to read.
■ Education Department needs to understand disabilities. Staff have not had enough
training in: o Mental health needs o Medical needs ■ Educators should have training in how to provide support and appropriate training to work with individuals with disabilities.
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■ Currently educators and some Education Assistants tend to be untrained and or lacking in any disability training when it comes to dealing with/supporting students with disabilities in all stages of education.
■ The current one size fits all teaching methods are ineffective and damaging to
neurodiverse individuals who struggle to conform, this can lead to failure and or unnecessary strife for the students who may need specialised support.
■ Especially present in adult education, as expectations rise. What is appropriate
conduct and expectations for students. ■ Leads to clashes, especially for inconsiderate / inflexible educators. ■ These issues can be addressed with training. ■ More of a focus on Math, Science and Sports. ■ Not a “One size fits all”. ■ Enjoyment in science art and cooking (hands on). ■ Focus on hands on experiences in education. ■ Steer away from being discouraging and be enticing. ■ Consistency and teacher help.
Employment
What are your experiences and ideas about finding and keeping a job?
■ I have a routine with support from Forrest Personnel. ■ Feels very good to help people and lend a hand. ■ Advocacy. ■ More job opportunities linked to interests. ■ Review job requirements. ■ More of an understanding of ASD by employers.
■ Work was overwhelming for me, but now I love it.
■ Involvement in environmental impact of different jobs. ■ Better wages and equity / equality in the workforce. ■ Training to include “hands on’ experiences and incorporation of an experienced mentor.
Belonging
What are your ideas about improvements needed so that you feel that you belong in your community?
- It’s important to have a community group with the same interests.
- Volunteering to help others.
- Family makes us feel like we belong.
- To be able to live more independently and make more relationships.
- Having friends with the same interests.
- Respects other people’s decisions and opinions. SWAN Youth Submission to the Disability Royal Commission Page 4 of 7
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Decision-Making
What are your experiences of having choice and control over your life?
■ The freedom to choose= good feelings. ■ Having control over what I do with my body. ■ Being asked what! need. ■ It’s okay that my parents make decisions for me.
■ Knowledge is power - the more info we have, the better. Allow people to ask
questions, and use your instincts. ■ I like being able to make decisions for myself. ■ Think with your head, heart and stomach. ■ Stick to your decisions - and seek help from friends, family and professionals.
■ Understanding the here and now, right and wrong. Understand that it is their
decision. Need to be aware of consequences. ■ Support worker and guide.
■ I have difficulties making decisions. Context matters. Some decisions are bigger
than others. I struggle more when the outcome has a longer term impact. ■ What if scenarios - weigh up the pros and cons. ■ Family helps, therapy helps, support workers help (if they treat you with respect). ■ I do have support in my family. My cousins don’t understand and I find it really hard. ■ Trust is really important.
Getting Help
When you have a problem or need help, who do you talk to?
■ Mum or Dad ■ Store staff ■ A lot of people prefer to talk to someone they feel comfortable with ■ Friends
■ NDIS Support Coordinator
■ Coordinators
■ SWAN
■ Advocacy WA
■ Psychologist, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapists
■ Finding someone you are comfortable with
Helpful Supports and Services
What kinds of supports or services have helped / would make you feel a genuine sense of belonging or connection to the community you live in?
■ SWAN YES group was fun ■ Programs that revolve around interests (e.g. scuba diving) to get people together ■ Good people ■ Therapists
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■ Volunteering ■ Friends
■ Theatre Groups
■ South West Allied Therapies
o Meet and Eat Club o Cycle and Snack Club ■ Family and brothers ■ Support workers
Conclusion
On behalf of SWAN members and the wider disability community, we are grateful to the Disability Royal Commission for investigating violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability, and seeking recommendations for change. The focus of this submission is on ensuring that the voices of young people with disability living in regional Western Australia are heard, prioritising their recommendations for change in the areas of community life they face the greatest barriers, discrimination and exclusion.
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Contact Detai Is
South West Autism Network Inc
ABN: 60 399 882 817
Nick Avery
Chief Executive Officer
Email: nick@swanautism.org.au Email: info@swanautism.org.au Website: www.swanautism.org.au
Busse/ton Office Bunbury Office
6 Pettit Crescent 35 Milligan St
West Busselton WA 6280 Carey Park WA 6230
• - • :.i•. swa-n South West Autism Network • •
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