Source Co

Finding a before and after school care (BASC) provider for a child on the autism spectrum involves careful planning and consideration. Autism Awareness Australia take us through what to look for, the right questions to ask, and some simple ways to make the transition easier (for everyone). Read more at the link in our bio. . . . . . #neurodivergence #autism #austistic #afterschoolcare #disability #sourcemagazine #disabilityparenting #autismparents

Does your child need a confidence boost at school? We've put together some ideas - things that can happen in the classroom, and things you can do at home to help. (link in bio) . . . . #confidence #selfbelief #confidentkids #disability #education #classroom #sourcemagazine

We’re the ‘different’ kind of mums on Mother’s Day, aren’t we? The Mother’s Day card descriptions and platitudes don’t quite fit us. So who are we? We lift children who are too big to carry. We reposition, soothe, and co-regulate. We know what our child needs before they can tell us, often because they can’t tell us. Our hearts skip a beat (and not in a good way) when the school phone number pops up on our phone. Hospital corridors, toilets, parked cars, (cars being driven come to that!) – we’ve cried in all of them. We’ve got medical equipment and sensory soothers in our bags alongside the usual keys, phone and lip balm. Sleeping through the night - what’s that? Independence isn’t something we take for granted - theirs or ours. We’re mentally doing risk assessments whenever we walk into a room or visit a new place. We fight the NDIS, school systems, medical professionals who underestimate our children - often all in the same day. We juggle medication schedules, therapy appointments, equipment maintenance routines and more. We love our children fiercely. We find the system exhausting. Both things, at once. What we need isn’t inspiration. It’s support, funding, and accessible infrastructure. And coffee. Disability doesn’t clock off, so neither do we. And on Mother’s Day, and every other day, we’re enough.

If your young person is an NDIS participant and they’re approaching 18 (or already there), you’ve probably got questions. Who makes decisions now? What happens when school ends? What about employment supports? That’s why we’ve partnered with Leap in! to create a practical guide that breaks it all down – from decision-making and nominees through to employment, living options and how NDIS supports actually work in real life. Read the full Turning 18 emag here at the link in our bio. Whatever the road ahead looks like for your family, we hope this helps you feel ready for it. . . . . #turning18 #comingofage #disability #adulthood #ndis #sourcemagazine #leapinplanmanagement

"Dear Government, can’t you hear us screaming? Are our screams silently swallowed by the relentless noise of systems that are supposed to support us? Hear us, for we are collectively distraught, distressed and exhausted." Monique Power and Dr Michelle Olaithe from Rippleability wrote this piece for our Autumn magazine before the latest NDIS changes were announced. Their words feel even more true now, capturing what so many families are living through, trying to hold everything together while the systems around them fall short. (link in bio) . . . . . #parentcarer #disability #ndis #carer #supportnetwork #disabilityparenting #sourcemagazine

"The hardest part of tube feeding was other people’s reactions. Ranging from “Why does she need a feeding tube?” from nosy strangers to “Have you tried xyz?” from well-meaning relatives, sometimes I wanted to get a T-shirt printed with the answers to the frequently asked questions we regularly received." It might feel like it at first, but tube feeding is not the worst-case scenario. There are good points, too, says Katherine Granich. (link in our bio) . . . . #tubefeeding #disability #parenting #tubie #tubielife #tubieparents #sourcemagazine #disabilityparenting

Last week the government unveiled plans to cut 160,000 people from the NDIS over the next four years by tightening eligibility criteria. One of the key changes is a new assessment tool for eligibility that will measure "functional capacity" – how much someone's disability affects their daily life. Under the new rules, the day-to-day impact will likely need to be more severe to qualify for support. So what does functional capacity actually mean? Will diagnosis still matter? And how will this algorithm-based tool really work? Here's what we know – and what's still unclear. (link in bio) . . . . #ndis #ndia #disability #disabilityinaustralia #funcationalcapacity #sourcemagazine

"Connor is funny, cheeky and full of personality, with a deep capacity for love and connection. Being his mum is the greatest privilege of my life." Karissa Gesler's son Connor is Autistic and non-verbal; he sees the world differently and it's something she's learned to really value and celebrate. This May she’s walking 7,000 steps a day for Walk for Autism – to help others see what she sees. "Different doesn't mean less. Every child deserves to be understood, supported and accepted for who they are." Read Karissa's story (link in our bio) and find out how you can walk or donate. . . . . #walkforautism #autism #neurodivergence #disability #disabilityparenting #sourcemagazine

Is your child struggling to respond when you ask, “How was your day?” Here are some tips from speech therapists to try. (link in bio) . . . . #speechtherapy #schoolkids #afterschool #disability #speechdisorder #disabilityparenting #sourcemagazine

The NDIS is set for its biggest shake-up yet. Participant numbers are expected to fall by around 160,000 over time, and changes to social and community participation funding could be felt much sooner. Learn more about what’s changing and when it’s happening (link in bio)

Bec Glover writes from the heart about raising her daughter, who has a disability, and the delicate art of letting go without guilt. Walks in autumn leaves, moments of gratitude and grief, carrying responsibility, and realising that rest is part of love. We think her words will resonate with many parents out there. (link in our bio) . . . . #disability #disabilityparenting #grief #love #autumn #sourcemagazine #carer #parentcarer

Melbourne...thank you 🙏 We've had the best time over the last two days and it's all thanks to you! To the thousands of people that came along to our expo, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. See you again in 2027 💛