My Time Playgroup For families with children with a disability or chronic illness. Tuesdays 9.30am - 11.30am Albion Park Rail School Community Centre Contact Kylie Emr ph. 0422 992110 or email kmer@playgroupnsw.com.au Play Connect For families with children on the autistic spectrum or exhibiting autistic behaviour. Fridays 9am - 11am Albion Park Rail School Community Centre Contact Kylie Emr ph. 0422 992110 or email kmer@playgroupnsw.com.au Early Start - Early Intervention Program (Northcott Disability Services) This program offers support to famililies of children with disabilities from 0-6.  Early Start Early Intervention provides support for up to 12 months and assists with transitions to preschool and school, finding suitable therapies and linking families with mainstream services as much as possible. Contact: Julie Guy 48 Central Avenue OAK FLATS  NSW  2529 Phone: 4256 7607 Email: julie.guy@northcott.com.au Website: www.northcott.com.au

Is your child having trouble learning to read? Has your child's teacher suggested they are lazy? Did you know that white paper can make words move? Your child may be showing symptoms of Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, and having them assessed can help provide a piece of the puzzle for problems of dyslexia, learning, ADD/ADHD, reading, comprehension, speed, comfort, depth perception, light sensitivity. For more information contact Maree Walsh, qualified Irlen Screener: Ph. 0412 976 950 or email info@readingsupport.com.au or visit the Irlen Dyslexia Centre website

The Wollongong Shepherd Centre
Support for children with a hearing disability.  Offers ealy intervention services and a preschool.
Address:48 Dempster Street
West Wollongong NSW 2500
Phone: 4226 4713   Fax: 4226 5278

EarlyStart: Diagnosis Support for Families
Provides support to families of children aged 0-5 years who have recently been diagnosed with a disability, disorder or developmental delay. Any family with children aged 0-5yrs old, who has just been diagnosed, or is in the process of being diagnosed with a disorder, disability or developmental delay, can be referred to the EarlyStart Diagnosis Support Program. Contact Kellie Thompson
Email: thompsonk@missionaustralia.com.au
Phone: 4255 9703  REFERRAL

The Early Childhood Intervention Info line
The Early Childhood Intervention Info line provides free telephone advice and information for parents with young children with a developmental delay or disability. The website has a downloadable brochure with information if you are concerned about your child's development - just follow the link in the left-hand menu to Early Childhood Intervention Infoline.
Phone: 1300 656 865 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm)

Shoulder to Shoulder
Information for Aboriginal families who have a child or young person with a disability. Click on the links to download the PDF booklet in three parts: Getting the facts, You're not alone, and People who can help.

ABC Parenting - Autism
Information for parents who have a child with Autism, topics include characteristics, diagnosis, causes, treatment and medication.

ACD NSW - Association for Children with a Disability NSW
Provides information and support to parents and families who have a child or young adult with any type of disability or developmental delay across NSW. Parents run this Association, so they know what it’s like to have a child with a disability, and they understand issues from a parent and family perspective.

Asperger Services Australia
Asperger Services Australia provides support to parents, families, carers, and siblings as well as to children, adolescents and adults with Asperger's Syndrome. They also aim to provide relevant up-to-date information about the syndrome, promote research and encourage community awareness.

Down Syndrome Illawarra
Connecting families touched by Downs.  Lots of resources and information, including about playgroup held Mondays at the IMS Building 17 Auburn St Wollongong 10am -12pm.  See website for more information http://www.downsyndromeillawarra.com/playgroup.php

Novita Children's Services
This site has some valuable information and fact sheets about living with children with a variety of disabilities.

Raising Children Network - 'Children' with a Disability This website provides information and support to parents of children with a disability. Raising Children Network - 'Parenting' with a Disability Stories about the challenges facing parents who have a disability. Raising Children Network - Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Provides up-to-date, evidence-based information on raising young children with ASD in Australia. It features articles to help you learn more about ASD, an interactive guide to navigating services and support in Australia, a guide to therapies and interventions used for ASD.

The Children's Hospital at Westmead
A range of resources for parents of children with a disability, and professionals who work with them. Topics include raising children, a dictionary of terms, alternate communication, and links to support groups.

Speech Pathology Australia
A range of fact sheets about speech pathologists, communication disabilities, helping babies and young children learn to talk and listen, the ages and stages of children's speech, and many others.

Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year
Lists of books which speech pathologists recommend for the development of oral language and speech and/or sound awareness.

Vision Australia
Vision Australia provides training and resources for families to help children who are blind or vision impaired to increase their choices and reach their full potential in life.