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Truth, Pride and Friendship

Useful Links for Parents and Caregivers

We list for your convenience information about several organisations that can assist families of children with disabilities. Inclusion of Organisations and Services on this list does not infer endorsement by Riverside ESC.

Please note, COVID-19 restrictions may have limited available services and the viability of some organisations to continue. Contact our school if you find the information below is no longer correct.

 4families  Kidsport 
 Access Mandurah  Kids Matter 
 Autism  Manta Rays Swim Team  
 Cahoots  Moving Home Tips  
 Cerebral Palsy  National Disability Association  
 Changing Places  NDIS 
 Colour Blindness  Play 2 Talk 
 Communicable Diseases - Department of Health  Raising Children Network 
 Depression and Anxiety  Riding for the Disabled 
 Developmental Disability WA (DDWA)  School Age Therapy Services 
 Disability Services Corporation  Sensory Friendly Flicks 
 Down Syndrome WA  Sesame Street and Autism 
 Equal Footingball League  Starkick 
 Immunisation  Student Wellbeing Hub 
 Inclusive Mandurah  
 InclusionWA  The Hub
 INKA  Vision Australia
 Kiind   W.A. Disabled Sports Association
   XYY Syndrome
   

4families

4families is a free service that provides whatever support families and carers need, linking them to a variety of services to reduce family stress and enable children and young people to reach their full potential. If you live in Mandurah or Rockingham you can get free support through the 4families service, which is part of Relationships Australia.

Families can find more information and submit a request using this link: relationshipswa.org.au/Services/Parenting-and-Family-Relationships/4Families

4families can provide:

  • counselling and emotional support
  • information and referrals
  • home-based family support
  • workshops, seminars and groups
  • community development activities
  • support for grandparents and carers

Access Mandurah

The City of Mandurah is committed to ensuring that the community is accessible for and inclusive of people with disability, their families and carers. An accessible and inclusive community is a more vibrant place for everyone.

The City of Mandurah values people with disability as an integral part of the local community and considers their Access and Inclusion Plan as an important tool to support continuous improvement to the access for and inclusion of people with disability across the city.

Contact details for City of Mandurah Community Development are:

  • Fiona Allen
    Community Development Officer and key contact for Mandurah's (Access and Inclusion Advisory Group (AIAG))
    9550 3256
    Fiona.Allen@mandurah.wa.gov.au

Autism

The Autism Association of Western Australia (www.autism.org.au) is dedicated to serving the needs and interests of people with Autism and their families. We do so by providing services based on peer reviewed research in the field of Autism; and by providing support that makes a positive difference to the lives of people with Autism.

Austism Spectrum Australia (www.autismspectrum.org.au), an eastern states NDIS provider, has on its website information about autism - What is Autism.

See DDWA below for a link to the 2023 Autism Parents' Handbook.

Cahoots: Connect, Learn, Celebrate

Cahoots is a Western Australia-based NDIS provider that organises and delivers exciting and rewarding programs and camps for kids and young people living with a disability. Programs and camps throughout the year, catering to children and young people of all abilities between the ages of 5 and 30.

  • Website: www.cahoots.org.au for dates and details of upcoming activities.
  • Tel: 1300 103 880

Cerebral Palsy Australia

Since 1952, Cerebral Palsy Australia (formerly known as CP Australia and the Australian Cerebral Palsy Association) has provided a national voice for cerebral palsy awareness. Furthermore, Cerebral Palsy Australia has positively contributed to the community through research and development for children and adults with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is the most common type of physical disability in childhood. Research published in 2022 using population-level data collected from more than 40 regions across 27 countries, shows the rate of cerebral palsy has fallen steadily in Australia and Europe over the last decade, to a rate of 1.6 babies out of every 1,000 children born. It was previously 2:1000 (2013).  While a number of factors may contribute to Cerebral palsy, difficulties during very late pregnancy, during birth, or shortly after birth are all known as “birth injury” and are a major cause of the disorder.

Changing Places

A Changing Place is a secure and clean bathroom specifically designed for people who need space and assistance to manage their bathroom needs while in the community and for whom universal access toilets are not suitable. There are three Changing Places provided by the City of Mandurah and an Australian-wide network.

Colour Blindness

Colour blindness, sometimes referred to as colour vision deficiency (CVD), means that a person cannot distinguish some colours or sees some colours differently to other people. Very few people who are colour blind are ‘blind’ to all colours. Commonly, the colours seen differently are greens, yellows, oranges and reds.

An information pamphlet on colour blindness has been provided by the WA Department of Health through the School Nursing program. Please take the time to read the Colour Blindness pamphlet.

If you have any concerns, colour vision testing can be performed by some general practitioners, eye specialists or optometrists. You can also contact your local Community Health Nurse,  through the school office.

Communicable Diseases - Department of Health

WA Department of Health provides a selection of information on Communicable Diseases for Western Australian Health Professionals - see https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Health-for/Health-professionals/Communicable-Diseases

Information on exclusion periods for communicable diseases is available from the Perth Children's Hospital website - https://pch.health.wa.gov.au/For-health-professionals/Emergency-Department-Guidelines/Communicable-diseases-exclusion

Although prepared for teachers and health professionals, parents/carers will find useful information in a downloadable Communicable Disease Guidelines. (updated April 2023) 

Depression and Anxiety

Beyond Blue (www.beyondblue.org.au) has a section on Healthy Families. This webpage is all about giving you the information, knowledge and confidence to support the young people in your life – whether you’re a parent, guardian, grandparent, a favourite uncle or an awesome auntie. 

Managing your child's anxiety - https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-6-12/mental-health-conditions-in-children/anxiety

Managing your child's depression - https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-6-12/mental-health-conditions-in-children/depression-in-children

Developmental Disability WA (DDWA)

DDWA is a not-for-profit organisation and the peak advocacy organisation in WA for people with intellectual and other developmental disability and their families. DDWA welcomes membership from people who have an interest in advancing the rights and needs of people with disability and their families.

DDWA works to create lasting positive change by:

  • supporting people with developmental disability and their families to have a strong voice
  • partnering with others to develop more connected and inclusive communities, and
  • influencing government and other decision makers

There is a wealth of information on the DDWA website including information booklets and more on their Resource page. Of particular interest to parents of our community will be:

Down Syndrome WA

Offers family and community programs which enables the support of people with Down syndrome and their families. For news and events in WA, fo to https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/news-events/#wa/

  • Tel: 1300 881 935
  • Tel: (08) 6182 3690

Equal Footingball League

Equal Footingball is a community-minded initiative to ensure that children aged 9 and above with intellectual or physical (or both) disabilities have similar opportunities and access to football for fun, social participation and elite development compared to fully able-bodied players. Peel RFC runs an independent regional program:

  • Program venue: Bortolo Park, Greenfields
  • Contact name: Belinda Oldfield
  • Contact email: prfc2011@hotmail.com.au

Immunisation

The West Australian Immunisation Schedule is available on the WA Public Health website (Healthy WA) here.

Inclusive Mandurah

A City of Mandurah FaceBook page that is currently working as a hub of relevant information regarding everything ‘access and inclusion’ during (and beyond) COVID-19. Parents may find some useful information at facebook.com/inclusivemandurah

Inclusion WA

Inclusion WA is a dynamic organisation dedicated to enriching the lives of all people who may be disadvantaged, disconnected from society or living with a disability. We achieve this by facilitating inclusion in sport, recreation and community life.

INKA

INKA is a not for profit, family run holiday / respite stay in a farm style environment. It offers carer support and accommodation for children, teenagers and adults with special needs, predominantly autism, through a farm style respite stay. INKA has council approval for up to 12 visitors at a time, but prefers to keep its staff ratio high so generally has between 6-8 visitors in at a time.

Kiind

Kiind, formerly Kalparrin, makes a positive difference to the lives and families and carers of children with special needs through the provision of practical and emotional support.

  • Tel:(08) 6164 9806
  • Website: kiind.org.au
  • Location : Perth Children's Hospital (Ground Floor, Family Resource Centre, 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands)

Kidsport

“Because every WA kid deserves a fair go”

Active kids learn better and are physically and mentally healthier. KidSport, a partnership between the Department of Sport and recreation and the City of Mandurah, makes it possible for eligible WA children aged 5-18 years to participate in community sport and recreation, no matter their financial circumstances. The process for accessing KidSport is simple and can be completed online or by using a hard copy form.

Applicants must have a valid Health Care or Pension Concession card issued by Centrelink. 

Funding will cover the cost of fees to join the nominated sport or recreation club (this may include other related costs as identified by the club), up to a maximum $150 per child. The club must be an approved KidSport club.

Kids Matter

KidsMatter is an Australian mental health and wellbeing initiative set in primary schools and in early childhood education and care services. It’s not a program, but a framework that helps these places take care of all their mental health needs by focusing on:

  • creating positive school and early childhood communities
  • teaching children skills for good social and emotional development
  • working together with families
  • recognising and getting help for children with mental health problems.

KidsMatter is funded by the Australian Government and beyondblue, and is a partnership between education and health sectors.

Manta Rays Swim Team

The Manta Rays Swim Team is a Special Swimming Club for children with Special Needs. We  train at the Mandurah Aquatic Recreation Centre (MARC) in Mandurah on  Wednesdays at 3.30 - 4.30 pm.

Our members’ ages range from 7 to 18. Our Coaches hold an assessment for new members but final membership is subject to  Coaches discretion (decision based upon assesment of Duty of Care). 

The program is run by adult volunteers. New volunteers are always welcomed.

Moving Home with Special Needs Kids

This site from the United States lists important considerations for moving house for a family of a child with a disability. There are plenty of usefulo tips.

National Disability Association

NDS is the national industry association for disability services, representing 700 non-government organisations. Collectively, our members operate several thousand services for Australians with all types of disability. NDS's members range in size from small support groups to large multi-service organisations, and are located in every State and Territory across Australia.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Offices and contacts in your area: Click her to find a local contact.

(This tool will provide you with general advice about the closest NDIS and Partner office based on your suburb and postcode. Please note your nearest office may not be your allocated ECEI or LAC partner. Call 1800 800 110 if you would like information about your allocated Partner office.)

Play to Talk

Play 2 Talk supports and encourages families that include children with additional needs and their neurotypical siblings to get out the door and come together to play. Monthly get-togethers and events are available for families seeking to overcome those often invisible social barriers that limit opportunities for meaningful and playful engagement. Find out about Play 2 Talk by contacting founders Amber and Nicole at:

• Facebook – Play 2 Talk (a closed group)
• Email – Play2TalkSocial@gmail.com

Raising Children Network

On the Raising Children website, parents will find reliable and evidence-based information and resources to support them in the day-to-day work of raising children and looking after their own needs. The website is growing all the time and covers a broad range of up-to-date parenting topics.

Amongst the many useful topics are:

Also: Head Lice, Obesity

Riding for the Disabled Association of Western Australia Inc.

Riding for the Disabled Western Australia (RDAWA) is a not-for-profit organisation which is dedicated to providing therapeutic and recreational benefits through equestrian activities to people with disabilities. The local agency is RDA WA Murray Mandurah Group.

  • Mail: PO Box 276, Pinjarra 6208
  • Tel. Office: 0490 682 267
  • Tel. A/H: 0490 386 552
  • Facebook: RDAMurrayMandurah

School Age Therapy Services (SATS)

The SATS program, delivered in the Peel region by Rocky Bay Inc., is funded by the Disability Services Commission to provide comprehensive therapy services to school age children. We will meet with you to talk about your goals for your child and what you would like them to be able to do and what support you would like. We will then plan together how to achieve your goals.

The team works in partnership with families and children, six to 18 years old, with a range of disabilities to support their development. Services may include speech pathology, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy.

Therapists partner with families to provide support to children to maximise their independence and participation in the community.

Sensory Friendly Flicks

Sensory Friendly Flicks for children and their families who have Autism, Sensory Processing difficulties and other disabilities in Perth, Australia.

Sesame Street and Autism

Sesame Workshop created Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children, a U.S. initiative aimed at communities with children ages 2 to 5. Developed with input from parents, people who serve the autism community, and people with autism, See Amazing in All Children offers families ways to overcome common challenges and simplify everyday activities. At the same time, the project fosters an affirming narrative around autism for all families and kids. Australian families will find useful information.

Starkick

The Starkick program is run as an integral part of the Auskick program within the North Mandurah Football Club and is designed to promote full involvement and inclusion for all children of any ability into the mainstream club activities and events. The program is for children aged between 5 and 12 where children who, by circumstance or choice, are unable to join into our club's existing football programs.

The North Mandurah Junior Football Club fully support the Starkick program throughout all age levels within the club and continue to support the inclusion of all children within the community through AFL footy Starkick activities.

Cost: $150 (Same as a Kidsport Voucher)

Contact North Mandurah Football Club for more information http://northmandurahfc.com.au/ or head over to the FaceBook page to keep up to date at https://www.facebook.com/starkicknmjfc/

Student Wellbeing Hub

The government-sponsord Student Wellbeing Hub website provides information and resources for students, teachers and parents to assist in the creation and maintenance of a safe and welcoming school environment.

The Hub

The Hub brings together many of the most highly experienced child, youth and adult focused clinicians in Western Australia. There unique group practice includes paediatricians, clinical psychologists, speech pathologists, social workers and occupational therapists. They work with parents and families in diagnosing and managing children and adolescents with developmental and behavioural difficulties as well as mild to moderate mental health concerns in children, adolescents and adults.

Vision Australia

Vision Australia is a partnership between people who are blind, sighted or have low vision. We are united by our passion that people who are blind or have low vision will have access to and fully participate in every part of life they choose.

WA Disabled Sports Association Inc.

WADSA is a charitable, non-profit making, sport and recreation umbrella organisation for disabled individuals and groups. It aims to allow for greater opportunities in the area of sport and recreation for individuals.

WADSA is a registered Service Provider of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

XYY Australia

XYY Australia has grown out of an Australian family's search to understand more about their son and to share what they have learned with others. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, XYY syndrome occurs in 1 out of every 1,000 boys. The website engages the inquirer with real life stories, articles about XYY Syndrome, access to hard-to-find resources and much more.

 RESC WEBSITE MANAGEMENT: if you find any of the above information to be out of date or in error, please contact us. (Back to top)

Important Info

What's New

  • Students at Riverside ESC Embrace Classic Cars

    Variety brought their 2024 Creative Car Cruise to Riverside ESC last week, enthralling students and their families, and staff too. Students got to sit inside vehicles, pretend to drive, talk to owners and immerse themselves in the world of shiny fabulous vehicles.

    Read more ...

  • Let's Get VISIBLE

     Blind Sports WA, with the assistance of Telethon, City West Lotteries House and the City of Mandurah's Community Development Officer (Access and Inclusion), is bringing "Let's Get VISIBLE" to the Peel region in Term 2. 

    Read more ...

  • Mandurah Celebrates International Day of People with Disability

    The City of Mandurah invites you to come and celebrate the leadership and contribution of local people with disability and together build a more inclusive community. There is a wonderful program of events from November 30 right through to December 8.

    Read more ...

  • School Uniform - Extended Trading Hours This Summer

    The school uniform supplier Perm-a-Pleat has extended its trading hours to assist parents to purchase uniforms before the start of school on 31 January 2024.

    When you purchase your uniform, please specify you are from Riverside Education Support Centre. This will assist with better business management and support for the school, the P&C Association and families.

    Read more ...