Teens Hub: Online Peer Meeting Discussion

Teens on Discord, Parents on Zoom

The Teens have been having a great time together these past few months playing games together on Discord, so we thought we would do it again!  Coronavirus hasn't stopped our meetings, we have just moved them  to an online meeting format, via two web-based applications - one called Discord (for the teens) and another called Zoom (for parents). 

Parents can come together and chat about how they’ve been managing, share ideas and support to maintain connections with each other.  Meanwhile the Teens can enjoy a few rounds of "Secret Hitler" or some other "Jackbox" games. See below for more about what Zoom and Discord are.

This is a popular group where you can meet new friends and catch up with old buddies, enjoy an environment with no social pressure and have an enjoyable night out! Looking forward to seeing you there!

Cost:  Free for month of August. However you must still please book online before attending. Once registered, you will receive an Event Confirmed email containing the Zoom link. Courtesy of a grant from the Department of Human Services. 

The Discord teens session will be facilitated by the Teens Mentor Team:

ASPERGERS VICTORIA ONLINE GUEST SPEAKER EVENT:

"DIFFERENT NOT LESS" WITH CHLOE HAYDEN

Aspergers Victoria has been fortunate to secure Chloe Hayden, also known as Princess Aspien, for this 90 minute presentation (including Q&A). Chloe is an Australian autism advocate, actor, Youtuber, singer and award-winning public speaker who has spoken at many schools, conferences and events around the globe.

Join us to hear Chloe share how you can take control of your life and write your own story, encouraging you to focus on your strengths. Her ambition is to educate, encourage, enlighten and give people the hope and confidence to see that different is not less, and that it should instead be seen as beautiful, wonderful and powerful.

For more information about Chloe, please visit her website and Facebook page

Time: 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm

Timing on the night:

7.30 pm: Welcome and introduction from Tamsin (President)

7.35 pm: Chloe's presentation 

8.30 pm: Question and answer session

9.00 pm: Informal chat (optional)

9.30 pm: Event concludes.

Cost: $10 Aspergers Vic Members, $17 Non-Members (subsidized tickets courtesy of Dept of Human Services Grant). Please book and pay online before attending, You will receive the link to join the meeting when your payment is done and you will receive a Event Confirmed email containing this link.

Who should attend: This event is suitable for Aspergers Victoria members, families, professionals, or anyone else interested in this topic. Suitable age: teenagers and upwards. 

The Zoom session will be facilitated by:

• Speaker: Chloe Hayden
• Tamsin Jowett - AV Volunteer President
• Lyndel Kennedy - Events & Young Adults Team Volunteer
• Emma Howden - AV Staff Member

What is Zoom?

Zoom is a program that allows video, web and audio conferencing.You can download it free onto your computer or phone/tablet. Download the AV Zoom Guide (pdf)

STEP 1: Before the Meeting: Make sure you download Zoom

Download onto your computer:

1. Visit https://zoom.us/download, locate Zoom Client for Meetings and click Download.
2. Follow the download and installation prompts (you do not need admin access).

Download onto your phone / tablet:

1. Go to the App store of your device (e.g. App Store or Google Play).

2. Search for Zoom

3. Download it, as per other apps.

STEP 2: At the Meeting time: Log into Zoom

1. Open up the Zoom application

1a.  If using a computer - Go to "Settings", and do "Audio" -> "Sound and "Microphone" checks before you start.

2. Enter or click on the Meeting ID you've been provided (in the confirmed registration email). The host will receive a 'door bell' that you are waiting and will admit you to the meeting.

Participate via phone line only:

1. Dial in via one of these numbers:  +61 3 7018 2005 Australia +61 8 7150 1149 Australia +61 2 8015 6011 Australia. Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ahxpuxnWU

2. Key in the Meeting ID (from your registration confirmed email)

Once you have entered the Zoom meeting room:

• Your microphone will need to be MUTED  (to minimize background noise)
• Video - you can choose if its on or off   (On = more internet used & you are visible)
• Q&A will be submitted in writing via the Q&A or chatbox functions
• If you want to contribute something to the session chat, you can type your message, either to 'everyone' or to the person you wish to see it (private chat). We recommend chat is kept to a minimum during the talk so we don't distract attendees. Please wait for the Q&A timing. 
• It will be recorded and your contribution may also be recorded. 

More instructions of how to use Zoom in the meeting will be provided at the start of the meeting. 

Contact Details:  Emma at admin@aspergersvic.org.au  email preferred, or 0432 139 528

Parents & Carers Community Connection: Online Discussion

This meeting is open to all parents/carers of Aspergers / autistic children of any age - whether children, teens or adults. We will cater split off into separate discussion groups on the night if the group wishes to, depending on the needs of the attendees present (e.g. if several parents of adults, that group may split off separately if they wish to). 

This will be an online peer meeting via a web-based application called Zoom.is for parents, grandparents and carers (of a person with Aspergers or Autism Spectrum Disorder / ASD level 1-2 aged) to meet, share their experiences and support each other. The group is facilitated to allow opportunity for all attendees to talk if they wish. See below for more information on what Zoom is and how to access the meeting with it. It’s easy to use and you get a link in your registration confirmation email to join the meeting.  

Cost:  Free for month of August. However you must still please book online before attending. Once registered, you will receive an Event Confirmed email containing the Zoom link. Courtesy of a grant from the Department of Human Services. 

What is Zoom?

Zoom is a program that allows video, web and audio conferencing.You can download it free onto your computer or phone/tablet. Or you can simply just dial in and participate via telephone.  Download the AV Zoom Guide (pdf)

STEP 1: Before the Meeting: Make sure you download Zoom

Download onto your computer:

1. Visit https://zoom.us/download, locate Zoom Client for Meetings and click Download.
2. Follow the download and installation prompts (you do not need admin access).

Download onto your phone / tablet:

1. Go to the App store of your device (e.g. App Store or Google Play).

2. Search for Zoom

3. Download it, as per other apps.

Participate via phone line only:

1. Dial in via one of these numbers:  +61 3 7018 2005 Australia +61 8 7150 1149 Australia +61 2 8015 6011 Australia. Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ahxpuxnWU

2. Key in the Meeting ID (from your registration confirmed email).

STEP 2: At the Meeting time: Join the Zoom Meeting

1. Open up the Zoom application

1a.  If using a computer - Go to "Settings", and do "Audio" -> "Sound and "Microphone" checks before you start.

2. Enter the Meeting ID you've been provided (in the confirmed registration email). The host will receive a 'door bell' that you are waiting and will admit you to the meeting.

Once you have entered the Zoom meeting room:

• Make sure that your microphone is muted
• Video - you can choose if its on or off    (On = more internet used)
• When you want to talk - unmute microphone.
• Make sure 1 person talks at a time.

More instructions of how to use Zoom in the meeting will be provided at the start of the meeting. However we can email you an outline for Zoom use in case you need help. 

Contact Details:  You may direct queries to any of the below leaders:

• Jenny (young adults carers) at adultparentsupport@aspergersvic.org.au or
• Rebecca (north-eastern region all-age carers) at northeastparents@aspergersvic.org.au 
• Caren (Southern region all-ages carers) at southern@aspergersvic.org.au

Women-identifying & NB folk Online Get-together

Our meetings will continue in the online meeting format via a web-based application called Zoom. See below for more about what Zoom is. 

This is an exciting and liberating opportunity to connect with other women and NB people on the spectrum, BYO cuppa! Age is no limit! All women-identifying & NB gender folk welcome. So let's come together online and have a general peer discussion to discuss how we've been managing, share ideas and concerns and ensure we find some calm in this situation.

Cost: FREE this month again, courtesy of DHHS covid grant, but bookings still required. Please book online before attending, You will receive the link to join the meeting once booking is completed in an "Event Registration Confirmed" email containing this link. 

ease do still register prior to attending with your registration. Email admin@aspergersvic.org.au if you need assistance to do this.

The get-together is facilitated by Aspie women, for Aspie women and is very informal. Once you have attended your first group you are able to join our Facebook group where we may organise catch-ups such as bushwalking in the Dandenongs and other shared passions, once lockdown is over! Aspergers Victoria volunteers with lived experience run all meetings and welcome new attendees.

What is Zoom?

Zoom is a program that allows video, web and audio conferencing.You can download it free onto your computer or phone/tablet. Or you can simply just dial in and participate via telephone.  Download the AV Zoom Guide (pdf)

STEP 1: Before the Meeting: Make sure you download Zoom

Download onto your computer:

1. Visit https://zoom.us/download, locate Zoom Client for Meetings and click Download.
2. Follow the download and installation prompts (you do not need admin access).

Download onto your phone / tablet:

1. Go to the App store of your device (e.g. App Store or Google Play).

2. Search for Zoom

3. Download it, as per other apps.

STEP 2: At the Meeting time: Join the Zoom Meeting

1. Open up the Zoom application

1a.  If using a computer - Go to "Settings", and do "Audio" -> "Sound and "Microphone" checks before you start.

2. Enter the Meeting ID you've been provided (in the confirmed registration email). The host will receive a 'door bell' that you are waiting and will admit you to the meeting.

Once you have entered the Zoom meeting room:

• Make sure that your microphone is muted
• Video - you can choose if its on or off    (On = more internet used)
• When you want to talk - unmute microphone.
• Make sure 1 person talks at a time.

Participate via phone line only:

1. Dial in via one of these numbers:  +61 3 7018 2005 Australia +61 8 7150 1149 Australia +61 2 8015 6011 Australia. Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ahxpuxnWU

2. Key in the Meeting ID (from your registration confirmed email).

More instructions of how to use Zoom in the meeting will be provided at the start of the meeting.

Contact Details:  Paige at  support@aspergersvic.org.au

Getting There:  No physical premises meeting this month, only the online meeting. See your Event Registration Confirmed email for the link to join. 

Adults Hub: Online / Phone Peer Meeting Discussion - “Organisation Skills & Self-Management"

Due to the changing conditions with COVID-19, we had to move to an online meeting via a web-based application called Zoom. See below for more about what Zoom is.  

We have been getting an excellent turnout in recent months for this meeting and encourage you to give it a try and join us. Discussion topic: Organization Skills & Self-Management.

One of the challenges we face being on the spectrum, is termed “executive functioning”. This can show up as difficulties in organisational skills, time-management, initiating, switching ,or ending tasks, and other self-management skills. It can be very helpful to create checklists, to-do lists, and detailed instructions for activities or tasks. Pictures also can be very effective. In the discussion, we will consider the sorts of difficulties individuals have experienced and how people have worked or might work to overcome these difficulties.

This group is for our older Adult peer group attendees.  It is more suitable for those who are aged 35 years and over, although younger adults may still attend if they wish to.  (Young adults may prefer to attend the other younger adult meetings: see our event list).

Cost:  FREE this month again, courtesy of DHHS covid grant, but bookings still required. Please book online before attending, You will receive the link to join the meeting once booking is completed in an "Event Registration Confirmed" email containing this link. 

What is Zoom?

Zoom is a program that allows video, web and audio conferencing.You can download it free onto your computer or phone/tablet. Or you can simply just dial in and participate via telephone.  Download the AV Zoom Guide (pdf)

STEP 1: Before the Meeting: Make sure you download Zoom

Download onto your computer:

1. Visit https://zoom.us/download, locate Zoom Client for Meetings and click Download.
2. Follow the download and installation prompts (you do not need admin access).

Download onto your phone / tablet:

1. Go to the App store of your device (e.g. App Store or Google Play).

2. Search for Zoom

3. Download it, as per other apps.

Participate via phone line only:

1. Dial in via one of these numbers:  +61 3 7018 2005 Australia +61 8 7150 1149 Australia +61 2 8015 6011 Australia. Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ahxpuxnWU

2. Key in the Meeting ID (from your registration confirmed email).

STEP 2: At the Meeting time: Join the Zoom Meeting

1. Open up the Zoom application

1a.  If using a computer - Go to "Settings", and do "Audio" -> "Sound and "Microphone" checks before you start.

2. Enter the Meeting ID you've been provided (in the confirmed registration email). The host will receive a 'door bell' that you are waiting and will admit you to the meeting.

Once you have entered the Zoom meeting room:

• Make sure that your microphone is muted
• Video - you can choose if its on or off    (On = more internet used)
• When you want to talk - unmute microphone.
• Make sure 1 person talks at a time.

More instructions of how to use Zoom in the meeting will be provided at the start of the meeting. 

Contact Details:  Colin asadults@aspergersvic.org.au or Emma at admin@aspergersvic.org.au 

Young Adults Hub: Online Peer Discussion

Chat & play online games

Young adults meetings have been well-attended in this online format! We have been having a great time chatting and playing online card games. This month we we will play some "Jackbox" games again (in a separate breakout room) as it has been great fun! This month we will again run an online meeting via the web-based application "Zoom".

Over the past few months, the young adults had a great turn out of 15+ people, who had a lot of fun just chatting in the main meeting room and others split off for playing online card games.  

This peer meeting is for adults aged (minimum) 18 years - 35 years old (approx.) with Aspergers (or Autism Spectrum Disorder level 1-2). This is a popular group where you can meet new friends, enjoy an environment with no social pressure and have an enjoyable night Looking forward to seeing you there! You may join with your video and audio on or off in whatever way you are comfortable with. 

Cost:  $5 AV Members, $10 Non-Members. Please book online before attending. Once registered, you will receive an Event Confirmed email containing the Zoom link. Courtesy of a grant from the Department of Human Services. 

Please note the following about how our group runs:

• This event is for Young Adults who are between the ages of 18-35 years.  
• This is a parent/carer-free zone. 
  
• New attendees will be made to feel comfortable and welcome by our peer leaders.
  

Volunteers & Staff End of Year Celebration

Contact Details:  Emma: admin@aspergersvic.org.au 

Venue to be advised. Not yet open for registration.