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Blog

Spectrum Planning's blog is a great resource for empathetic hints and tips along with a wealth of experienced advice for a range of matters related to raising a child with special needs in Australia.

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  • Autism
  • Centrelink
  • Compliance
  • Early Intervention
  • emotional intelligence
  • Estate Planning
  • Inspirational
  • Marriage
  • Practical
  • social skills
  • Special Needs

5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO RECLAIM FAMILY MEALTIMES & IMPROVE "EMOTIONAL LITERACY" IN YOUR HOME

Erika O'Brien April 1, 2015

Erika O'Brien shares about the importance of improving "emotional literacy " in your family, and gives some practical ideas for reclaiming the family mealtime in order to begin this vital process .

Read More
In Autism, Inspirational, Practical, social skills, Special Needs, emotional intelligence

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Featured
Autism and the Pursuit of Happiness
Nov 2, 2017
Autism and the Pursuit of Happiness
Nov 2, 2017

Erika O'Brien reflects on the importance of 'happiness' as discussed by Dr Peter Vermeulen from Autisme Centraal in Belgium at the recent Asia Pacific Autism Conference in Sydney (APAC 17).

Read More →
Nov 2, 2017
bigstock-Education-31579904.jpg
Jun 28, 2017
Classroom Diversity, Empowering Teachers and Parents: the Keys to Australia's Future
Jun 28, 2017

Gary Spencer's response to Senator Pauline Hanson's comments in the Australian Parliament last week about the need for children with disabilities (including Autism) to be educated in separate classrooms

Read More →
Jun 28, 2017
How to Get the Most Out of the Summer Holidays With a Special Needs Child
Nov 17, 2016
How to Get the Most Out of the Summer Holidays With a Special Needs Child
Nov 17, 2016

It is time to start thinking about the upcoming summer holidays! Here, Erika O'Brien provides some tips to keep things as smooth as possible when you have a child with special needs.

Read More →
Nov 17, 2016
CENTRELINK AND YOU - A PATH TO MANAGING THE UPS AND DOWNS
Aug 2, 2016
CENTRELINK AND YOU - A PATH TO MANAGING THE UPS AND DOWNS
Aug 2, 2016

Six Essential Tips for keeping your relationship with Centrelink as smooth as possible

Read More →
Aug 2, 2016
Jul 22, 2016
"My Autistic Awakening - Unlocking the Potential for a Life Well Lived" by Rachael Lee Harris
Jul 22, 2016

Erika O'Brien delves into Rachael Lee Harris's new autobiography, an eloquently written book which has the capacity to take us all to a much better place in terms of really understanding the inner worlds of those with Autism. This is essential reading for girls and women on the Spectrum, and their families, friends, and co-workers.

Read More →
Jul 22, 2016
"X + Y" - A film promoting understanding in a "neuro-diverse" world
Oct 15, 2015
"X + Y" - A film promoting understanding in a "neuro-diverse" world
Oct 15, 2015

Erika O'Brien reviews a recent film which does a remarkable job of helping us step into the mind of a boy with Aspergers, as he grows into a young adult

Read More →
Oct 15, 2015
COMPLIANCE & SPECIAL NEEDS - IS NAGGING THE ONLY WAY?
Aug 31, 2015
COMPLIANCE & SPECIAL NEEDS - IS NAGGING THE ONLY WAY?
Aug 31, 2015

In this post, Erika O'Brien gives some thought-provoking alternatives to nagging in our households, and some tips which can be applied in all families, not just those with special needs children 

Read More →
Aug 31, 2015
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Keep posted. Follow our blog to stay informed, motivated and encouraged.

Featured
Autism and the Pursuit of Happiness
Nov 2, 2017
Autism and the Pursuit of Happiness
Nov 2, 2017

Erika O'Brien reflects on the importance of 'happiness' as discussed by Dr Peter Vermeulen from Autisme Centraal in Belgium at the recent Asia Pacific Autism Conference in Sydney (APAC 17).

Read More →
Nov 2, 2017
bigstock-Education-31579904.jpg
Jun 28, 2017
Classroom Diversity, Empowering Teachers and Parents: the Keys to Australia's Future
Jun 28, 2017

Gary Spencer's response to Senator Pauline Hanson's comments in the Australian Parliament last week about the need for children with disabilities (including Autism) to be educated in separate classrooms

Read More →
Jun 28, 2017
How to Get the Most Out of the Summer Holidays With a Special Needs Child
Nov 17, 2016
How to Get the Most Out of the Summer Holidays With a Special Needs Child
Nov 17, 2016

It is time to start thinking about the upcoming summer holidays! Here, Erika O'Brien provides some tips to keep things as smooth as possible when you have a child with special needs.

Read More →
Nov 17, 2016
CENTRELINK AND YOU - A PATH TO MANAGING THE UPS AND DOWNS
Aug 2, 2016
CENTRELINK AND YOU - A PATH TO MANAGING THE UPS AND DOWNS
Aug 2, 2016

Six Essential Tips for keeping your relationship with Centrelink as smooth as possible

Read More →
Aug 2, 2016
Jul 22, 2016
"My Autistic Awakening - Unlocking the Potential for a Life Well Lived" by Rachael Lee Harris
Jul 22, 2016

Erika O'Brien delves into Rachael Lee Harris's new autobiography, an eloquently written book which has the capacity to take us all to a much better place in terms of really understanding the inner worlds of those with Autism. This is essential reading for girls and women on the Spectrum, and their families, friends, and co-workers.

Read More →
Jul 22, 2016
"X + Y" - A film promoting understanding in a "neuro-diverse" world
Oct 15, 2015
"X + Y" - A film promoting understanding in a "neuro-diverse" world
Oct 15, 2015

Erika O'Brien reviews a recent film which does a remarkable job of helping us step into the mind of a boy with Aspergers, as he grows into a young adult

Read More →
Oct 15, 2015
COMPLIANCE & SPECIAL NEEDS - IS NAGGING THE ONLY WAY?
Aug 31, 2015
COMPLIANCE & SPECIAL NEEDS - IS NAGGING THE ONLY WAY?
Aug 31, 2015

In this post, Erika O'Brien gives some thought-provoking alternatives to nagging in our households, and some tips which can be applied in all families, not just those with special needs children 

Read More →
Aug 31, 2015
CARERS & WORK: GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT
May 29, 2015
CARERS & WORK: GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT
May 29, 2015

Here, Special Needs Financial Planner, Gary Spencer, looks at the getting the life balance right for carers, and where outside work fits in, if at all

Read More →
May 29, 2015
5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO RECLAIM FAMILY MEALTIMES & IMPROVE "EMOTIONAL LITERACY" IN YOUR HOME
Apr 1, 2015
5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO RECLAIM FAMILY MEALTIMES & IMPROVE "EMOTIONAL LITERACY" IN YOUR HOME
Apr 1, 2015

Erika O'Brien shares about the importance of improving "emotional literacy " in your family, and gives some practical ideas for reclaiming the family mealtime in order to begin this vital process .

Read More →
Apr 1, 2015
Dec 10, 2014
Thank You Stella Young
Dec 10, 2014

Gary Spencer reflects on what Stella Young taught him...

Read More →
Dec 10, 2014
SEVEN TIPS TO PLAN & SUPPORT THE SOCIAL SIDE OF YOUR ASD CHILD
Nov 30, 2014
SEVEN TIPS TO PLAN & SUPPORT THE SOCIAL SIDE OF YOUR ASD CHILD
Nov 30, 2014

Here, Gary Spencer shares his experience and insights as father supporting an ASD child navigate a world of neurotypicals where many are obsessed with socialising and relating to each other.

Read More →
Nov 30, 2014
‘Be YOUnique!’ 7 Tips for Supporting the Mental Health of those with ASD
Oct 31, 2014
‘Be YOUnique!’ 7 Tips for Supporting the Mental Health of those with ASD
Oct 31, 2014

Gary Spencer explores how we can actively help those with ASD towards good mental health throughout their lives.

Read More →
Oct 31, 2014
SHARING A DIAGNOSIS
Sep 8, 2014
SHARING A DIAGNOSIS
Sep 8, 2014

Revealing a diagnosis to your child is a sensitive issue that many parents with children on the Spectrum battle with. Here, Erika O'Brien shares her personal experience of sharing her son's diagnosis with him.

Read More →
Sep 8, 2014
“KNOWING IS HALF THE BATTLE”
Sep 7, 2014
“KNOWING IS HALF THE BATTLE”
Sep 7, 2014

To tell or not to tell. Parents with children on the Autistic Spectrum often agonize over when and how to tell their child about their diagnosis. Here we hear another side of the story, from the perspective of the one who has the diagnosis. Thomas Kuzma shares how he felt when he found out about his condition.

Read More →
Sep 7, 2014
ESTATE PLANNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS - 5 TIPS FOR FAMILIES
Jul 26, 2014
ESTATE PLANNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS - 5 TIPS FOR FAMILIES
Jul 26, 2014

As most parents of children with a disability are painfully aware, we are not dealing with normal circumstances when we plan for the future care of a more vulnerable family member. Here, Financial Planner, Gary Spencer, shares some personal insights about Estate Planning for Special Needs.

Read More →
Jul 26, 2014
SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILIES AND STRESS PART ONE: ACCEPTING IT, MANAGING IT
Jun 23, 2014
SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILIES AND STRESS PART ONE: ACCEPTING IT, MANAGING IT
Jun 23, 2014

There are many things out of our control, but as parents of kids with Special Needs, managing our stress is particularly important. Sometimes we need to be reminded why this is so vital.

Read More →
Jun 23, 2014
SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILIES AND STRESS PART TWO: STEPS TO EASE THE IMPACT
Jun 23, 2014
SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILIES AND STRESS PART TWO: STEPS TO EASE THE IMPACT
Jun 23, 2014

We know that we must manage our stress, but how can we achieve that as parents of kids who have Special Needs?

Read More →
Jun 23, 2014
EARLY INTERVENTION FOR AUTISM - 7 THINGS I WISH I HAD HAVE KNOWN
Mar 23, 2014
EARLY INTERVENTION FOR AUTISM - 7 THINGS I WISH I HAD HAVE KNOWN
Mar 23, 2014

The mother of a child with autism shares the beginning of her journey with early interventions, and she offers helpful insights for those new to the process. 

Read More →
Mar 23, 2014
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Spectrum Planning

Strength to take the next steps

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