“This is my protected timeslot. It is saved in my calendar and my partner knows that this is a non-negotiable for me. I have learnt so much from everyone in the group and I love being able to share and help other parents.”
Who we are
Belongside Families is an independent, not-for-profit peer support organisation for families of children with disability, developmental delays and autism. We help families to navigate complex disability systems and services and build the skills, knowledge and confidence that will see their children and family thrive. Our peer groups and programs, trusted resources, and supportive community are online and free. We're passionate about all children and families living their best lives and discovering a future full of possibility.
Learn MoreNo family should start their journey alone
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Don’t worry, we’re not here to overload your inbox. What you’ll get from us will be inspiring stories, details of upcoming events, helpful resources and other opportunities to be part of our community. From our family to yours, every fortnight or so.
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To connect, celebrate and learn with parents and carers on their own beautiful journeys. Ours is a safe space where you can come to ask advice and share experiences on anything from your child's diagnosis to navigating the NDIS.
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@belongsidefamilies Progress looks different for every child.
Sometimes it’s slow and steady.
Sometimes it’s spikey and unpredictable.
It can feel like two steps forward, one step back.
Or no steps at all for a while — and then suddenly, a leap.
Both are normal. Both are real. Both are worth celebrating.
Your child’s journey doesn’t need to follow someone else’s timeline.
Growth is growth, in whatever shape it takes. 🧡
Aug 29
📚 Free Genetics Webinar: Could It Be Genetic?
If you’ve ever wondered whether there might be a genetic explanation for your child’s health or development, you’re not alone.
Belongside Families and Genetic Alliance Australia are partnering to deliver this free webinar — the first in our Genetics Webinar Series.
Hear from Kathleen LeMarquand, Senior Genetic Counsellor, and Kim Bowan, parent of a daughter with SATB2 Associated Syndrome, as they share what to expect and how to prepare for the emotional and practical side of the diagnostic process.
We’ll explore:
🔸How to gather information to help doctors explore possible genetic causes
🔸Questions to ask your GP or paediatrician
🔸What to expect in a genetic consultation
🔸The different types of genetic testing and what they involve
Register to attend live or receive the recording:
🗓 Tue, 2 Sep, 12pm (NSW / AEST)
💻 Free to attend | Online via Zoom
🔗 Visit the Linkin.bio
Aug 28
Meet Stacey: CEO at Belongside Families
Stacey is a strategic leader, advocate, and mum to a teenager with disability. She brings a wealth of experience across the disability, community, and not-for-profit sectors — and a deep commitment to strengthening family supports and driving systemic change.
As the foundational CEO of Belongside Families, Stacey has led the organisation from its earliest days to becoming a trusted support for families across NSW. She serves on the NSW Government Carers Advisory Council and represents families on several government and community panels, advocating for stronger supports and better outcomes for families.
👩👦 Stacey is passionate about fostering her son`s independence and self-advocacy – particularly as they navigate the teenage years together!
🏎 A fun fact about Stacey is that she used to work for a V8 Supercar team, managing events and drivers, travelling across Australia.
☕ Outside of work, Stacey loves to spend time with her extended family, catch up with friends over coffee and volunteer for committees that interest her.
🧡 Stacey hopes that through her work, families feel less alone, supported to navigate the complex systems and more hopeful about what’s possible for their child and family.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Everyone on our team is raising a child with disability, delay, or autism. That lived experience shapes our free programs, informs our advocacy and guides the way we connect with and support families.
#BelongsideFamilies #WalkingAlongside #FamiliesSupportingFamilies #BelongsideCommunity #ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #BelongsideFamiliesTeam
Aug 27
Whether you’re navigating a genetic diagnosis for your child, or planning for their growing independence and the transition from childhood to teens, our upcoming events are here to support you. From recorded webinars and interactive workshops to parent peer groups, here’s what’s coming up.
🔶 Talking About Disability – Evening Virtual MyTime
📅 Tue, 26 Aug | 8:00 pm (NSW Time)
🔶 Connect & Chat – Virtual MyTime
📅 Thu, 28 Aug | 7:30 pm
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Upcoming Workshops
🔶 Partnering with Your Child’s School – Interactive Workshop
📅 Mon, 1 Sep | 8:00 pm
🔶 From Childhood to Teens – Interactive Workshop
📅 Wed, 17 Sep | 8:00 pm
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Upcoming Webinars
🔶 Raising Concerns with REACH – Medical Webinar
📅 Mon, 1 Sep | 12:00 pm
🔶 Making Your Voice Heard – Medical Webinar
📅 Wed, 3 Sep | 12:00 pm
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New Genetics Webinar Series
🔶 Session 1 – Could It Be Genetic?
📅 Tue, 2 Sep | 12:00 pm
🔶 Session 2 – The Results Are In
📅 Tue, 9 Sep | 12:00 pm
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🔶 How We Talk About It – Autism Webinar
📅 Thu, 11 Sep | 8:00 pm
📌 See the full event calendar via the Linkin.bio
👩🏻💻All sessions are FREE and online. Times are based on NSW / AEST. 🧡
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#ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #PeerSupport #WalkingWithFamilies #ReframingDisability #SpecialNeedsMum #SpecialNeedsMother #MyTime #AutismParentingTips #DisabilityParenting
Aug 24
If you’ve ever found yourself comparing your child’s progress to someone else’s…
you’re not alone.
But the truth is, every child has their own timeline — and there’s a beautiful Japanese word for this: Oubaitori.
It comes from the names of four trees that bloom in spring: cherry, plum, peach, and apricot.
Each blossoms in its own time, in its own way.
It’s a beautiful reminder
🌸 Your child’s timeline is their own 🌸
Aug 22
Navigating a genetic diagnosis for your child can be incredibly complex.
To support parents and carers on this journey, Belongside Families and Genetics Alliance Australia are partnering to deliver a free four-part webinar series.
Across September, you will hear from genetic specialists and parents with lived experience as they share insights to help families make sense of the genetic testing process and prepare for both the emotional and practical realities of the journey ahead.
Sessions in the Series
📚 Could It Be Genetic? — Tue 2 Sep, 12pm
📚 The Results Are In — Tue 9 Sep, 12pm
📚 Navigating Systems — Tue 16 Sep, 12pm
📚 Shaping the Future — Tue 23 Sep, 12pm
💻Online via Zoom | All times based on NSW / AEST
🔗 Register to attend live or receive the replay via Linkin.bio
#GeneticsWebinarSeries #RareDiseaseCommunity #ParentSupport #GeneticTesting #DisabilitySupport #RareDisease #SyndromeWithoutAName #BelongsideFamilies #GeneticAllianceAustralia
Aug 21
This weekend brought new connections, meaningful conversations, and a powerful reminder of the impact we have when we come together.
On Saturday, the Belongside Families team was at the Stronger Together Expo. It was incredible to connect with so many Hills District families. We loved meeting new parents and carers, and seeing families already part of our community face to face for the first time.
We were energised by the opportunity to connect with individuals and organisations who share our vision of supporting children and families, including Tairyn from The Parks Community Network, Laetitia from Understanding Zoe, Atilio from Dad’s Speak, Kate and Bridget from Bridget Kelly Art, and para-athlete Julie Charlton.
We’re looking forward to deepening these relationships and continuing to offer free supports for families raising children with disability, delay and autism in the Hills. Excitingly, we’ll be announcing new collaborations with The Parks Community Network and Understanding Zoe soon!
This weekend reminded us *just* how powerful community can be, and we can’t wait to keep building it together.
Aug 18
From navigating everyday challenges to building your confidence to partner with teachers and advocate for your child at school, our free online events are here to support you and your family every step of the way.
Here’s what’s on this week — plus a look ahead at the workshops and webinars coming up:
🔶 When School is Hard – Autism Webinar
📅 Mon, 18 Aug | 8:00 pm
🔶 The Comparison Trap – Daytime Virtual MyTime
📅 Tue, 19 Aug | 12:00 pm
🔶 8yrs+: Big Feelings in Big Kids – Virtual Autism MyTime
📅 Thu, 21 Aug | 8:00 pm
🔶 Connect & Chat – Virtual MyTime
📅 Fri, 22 Aug | 7:30 pm
💡 Save the Date — Upcoming Workshops & Webinars
🔶 All About Me – Interactive Workshop
📅 Tue, 26 Aug | 8:00 pm
🔶 Partnering with Your Child’s School – Interactive Workshop
📅 Mon, 1 Sep | 8:00 pm
🔶 Autistic Families – Interactive Workshop
📅 Mon, 8 Sep | 8:00 pm
🔶 From Childhood to Teens – Interactive Workshop
📅 Wed, 17 Sep | 8:00 pm
🔶 How We Talk About It – Autism Webinar
📅 Thu, 11 Sep | 8:00 pm
📌 See the full event calendar via the Linkin.bio
👩🏻💻All sessions are FREE and online. Times are based on NSW / AEST. 🧡
#ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #PeerSupport #WalkingWithFamilies #ReframingDisability #SpecialNeedsMum #SpecialNeedsMother #MyTime #AutismParentingTips #DisabilityParenting
Aug 17
Missed the live event?
Time is running out to catch up on our Understanding Masking webinar.
In this session, Educational & Developmental Psychologist Raelene Dundon delivers a thoughtful presentation based on real questions and common challenges and shares practical strategies to help your child feel safe, understood, and confident being their authentic self.
We explore:
🔸 What masking is and how it can show up in children
🔸 How masking can be mistaken for “good behaviour” and what might really be going on underneath
🔸 How to raise masking concerns with educators and therapists
🔸 The quieter, more subtle signs your child might be masking
🎥 Register now to be sent the recording and catch up in your own time
⏳ Hurry, registrations close 8pm Monday 18 August.
🔗 Visit the Linkin.bio
Aug 14
You’re not alone if you’ve felt that sinking feeling when reports reduce your child to a long list of deficits and delays.
You want others to see your child as more.
More than the things they find hard.
More than missed milestones.
More than their worst days...
But at the same time, you want them to get the support they need.
It can feel like walking a tightrope.
Too much focus on the positives, and people might overlook their support needs.
Too much focus on the challenges, and they miss the whole person.
But there is a way to do both.
To share their strengths.
What they love.
What lights them up.
All the things that make them "them".
Plus, the strategies and supports that help — so they can be the best version of themselves.
It’s not about sugar-coating what’s hard.
It’s about sharing it in a way that invites understanding instead of judgment.
We unpack it step-by-step in our All About Me workshop.
It’s free, online, designed for parents of children with disability, developmental delay, and autism.
And it might just be the most useful 90 minutes you spend this term.
📅 Tue, 26 Aug, 8pm
🔗 Spaces are limited, visit linkin.bio to register
Aug 12
From preparing for school transitions to building your confidence to speak up for your child, our online events help you grow skills and connect with a community of support.
Here’s what’s on this week — plus a look ahead at the workshops and webinars coming up to support you and your family.
🔶 Safe & Skilled Support Workers – Webinar
📅 Tue, 12 Aug | 12:00 pm
🔶 The Comparison Trap – Evening Virtual MyTime
📅 Tue, 12 Aug | 8:00 pm
🔶 Under 8yrs: Play, Joy & Interests – Virtual Autism MyTime
📅 Wed, 13 Aug | 8:00 pm
🔶 Connect & Chat – Virtual MyTime
📅 Thu, 14 Aug | 7:30 pm
💡 Save the Date — Upcoming Workshops & Webinars
🔶 When School is Hard – Autism Webinar
📅 Mon, 18 Aug | 8:00 pm
🔶 Advocacy at School – Interactive Workshop
📅 Wed, 20 Aug | 8:00 pm
🔶 All About Me – Interactive Workshop
📅 Tue, 26 Aug | 8:00 pm
🔶 Partnering with Your Child’s School – Interactive Workshop
📅 Mon, 1 Sep | 8:00 pm
🔶 Autistic Families – Interactive Workshop
📅 Mon, 8 Sep | 8:00 pm
📌 See the full event calendar via the Linkin.bio
👩🏻💻All sessions are FREE and online. Times are based on NSW / AEST. 🧡
#BelongsideFamilies #ParentSupport #AutismSupport #InclusiveEvents #MyTime #DisabilitySupport #FreeEventsAustralia
Aug 10
The way we describe our children matters.
When it comes to how others see them.
And how they come to see themselves.
But far too often, reports and assessments take a deficit-based view.
They focus on the gaps, the challenges, the delays.
And they rarely capture the full picture of who our children really are.
That’s where a strengths-based approach can make a real difference.
Not by ignoring what’s hard.
But by including *why* certain things are tricky.
What can help.
And the strengths that can exist right alongside the challenges.
💬 If you feel comfortable, we’d love to hear:
What’s one way you describe your child through a strengths-based lens?
📖 If you’d like help crafting your own strengths-based snapshot of your child, something you can share with teachers, therapists or support workers, our free All About Me workshop is a great place to start.
🗓 Tue 26 Aug, 8pm
🔗 Find out more via Linkin.bio
Aug 5
