Practical Strategies and Expert Advice
Hear from experienced parents and therapists as they share real-life examples and practical strategies to help you advocate confidently and collaborate effectively with educators—ensuring your child thrives in early education. This series is brought to you by Belongside Families in partnership with the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network (ECIBPN), a collective of not-for-profit organisations supporting children with disability through evidence-based early intervention services and early childhood education across NSW, VIC and ACT.
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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 ✨Meet Kylie: Peer Facilitator at Belongside Families ✨
Kylie is an experienced Peer Facilitator, working to empower families raising children with disability. She collaborates with families and professionals, supporting peers using evidence-based, child-led and strengths-based approaches. Her work also incorporates mindfulness, growth mindset, emotion coaching and positive psychology.
👨👩👧👦 She is a mum to two amazing neurodivergent school-aged kids. Her family lives the day-to-day journey of what a medical and disability diagnosis means. Her youngest is also Autistic and has taught her new perspectives she didn’t realise she needed.
🌍 Kylie is passionate about family leadership, advocacy and inclusion. Her work has taken her around Australia and the world, presenting at conferences, including the Global Leadership Exchange in 2024. She has also been featured in webinars and podcasts.
💁♀️ At Belongside Families, Kylie runs virtual MyTime sessions, always bringing a sense of warmth, acceptance and positivity to her groups. She also facilitates Healthy Mothers Healthy Families workshops, supporting mothers of children with disability to create a healthy lifestyle that fosters their own wellbeing, alongside a healthy, happy family life.
👶 A fun fact about Kylie is a birth doula who holds space for women and families as they welcome their beautiful babies into their world.
🏞 Outside of work, Kylie loves walks in nature as it resets her nervous system. She likes to escape by bingeing on Netflix, reading and discussing books with her book club.
🧡 Kylie is passionate about showing up, standing together and advocating for a world where everyone belongs.
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Everyone on our team is raising a child with disability, delay, or autism. That lived experience is at the heart of everything we do — and it’s what makes Belongside Families different.
Jul 29
Whether you’re navigating tricky days, seeking helpful strategies, or looking to connect with other families, our free online events are here to support you.
Here’s what’s on this week — plus a look ahead at the workshops and webinars designed to support you and your family.
🔶 Understanding Masking – Autism Webinar
📅 Mon, 28 Jul | 8:00 pm
🔶 Managing Hard Days – Evening Virtual MyTime
📅 Tue, 29 Jul | 8:00 pm
🔶 Under 8yrs: Their Sensory World – Virtual Autism MyTime
📅 Wed, 30 Jul | 8:00 pm
🔶 Connect & Chat – Virtual MyTime
📅 Thu, 31 Jul | 7:30 pm
💡 Save the Date
**Upcoming Workshops & Webinars**
🔶 Autistic Families – Interactive Workshop
📅 Mon, 4 Aug | 8:00 pm
🔶 Nutrition in Complex Care – Medical Webinar
📅 Mon, 4 Aug | 12:00 pm
🔶 Healthy Mothers Healthy Families – Interactive Workshop
📅 Tue, 12 Aug | 7:30 pm
🔶 Advocacy at School – Interactive Workshop
📅 Wed, 20 Aug | 8:00 pm
🔶 All About Me – Interactive Workshop
📅 Tue, 26 Aug | 8:00 pm
📌 See the full event calendar via the Linkin.bio
All sessions are FREE, online, and open to parents and carers of children with disability or developmental concerns. NSW Time. 🧡
#ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #PeerSupport #Belong+Alongside #WalkingWithFamilies #ReframingDisability #SpecialNeedsMum #SpecialNeedsMother #MyTime #AutismParentingTips #CareGiverSupport #DisabilityParenting
Jul 27
My name is Luca. The accomplishment in my life that I’m most proud of is starting my microenterprise, Braille by Luca.
I started learning Braille when I was in primary school. Braille is extremely difficult to learn. It takes many months to even develop the sensitivity in your finger pads to feel the Braille dots. I am currently doing an advanced course in Braille online. I am also studying indigenous cultures at Sydney University.
Through my business, I try to make the world more accessible by providing Braille services. I create cards and bookmarks which I sell at markets and on my website. I also teach students through Braille workshops at local schools.
I create all the paintings used in the cards I sell. I have also collaborated with other artists creating Braille content that was used as part of artworks and providing Braille signs for exhibitions. I have even transcribed a book called Lillian, the Tiriki Girl into Braille.
I love to work with other creatives. My next goal is to move my office into a shared workplace surrounded by other creative people.
To me, having a good life means having friends, doing interesting work and being part of a community.
When it comes to low vision or blindness, I wish people would truly understand the importance of accessibility. Braille opens up a whole new world for people who are blind, so I love that my work is part of that. I also love to share my knowledge of Braille with all people, not just those that are vision impaired.
My advice to other young blind people is don’t hold back!
Luca Weber is a creative entrepreneur, artist and university student. You can find out more about Luca’s work at his website Braille by Luca in the linkin.bio.
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#StoriesOfTheGoodLife #ByFamiliesForFamilies #AccessibleArt #VisionImpairedArtist #ArtWithoutLimits #AccessibilityMatters #BlindCreatives #BrailleArt
Jul 25
If it feels like you’re carrying so much more as a mother — you’re not imagining it.
And you’re not alone. In fact, mothers of children with disability spend up to THREE times as much time caring for their children.
The extra appointments.
Therapy sessions.
Advocacy.
Meetings.
Paperwork... it can feel never-ending.
So, it`s no wonder your own wellbeing ends up at the bottom of a very long list.
That’s where Healthy Mothers Healthy Families comes in.
This free, evidence-based program was developed specifically for mothers of children with disability. It’s designed to support your health and wellbeing — all while still balancing the needs of your child and family.
Join the 1,200+ mothers who have already taken part and found a way to prioritise themselves again.
🧡 New online workshop dates, facilitated by Belongside Families, have just been announced and are filling fast:
Mon 4 Aug, 7:30pm (almost at capacity)
Tue 12 Aug, 7:30pm
🔗 Visit Linkin.bio
Healthy Mothers Healthy Families* is an evidence-based online health education and empowerment program for mothers of children with disability. The program was developed by and is proprietary to A/Prof Helen Bourke-Taylor from Monash University. Visit https://healthymothers-healthyfamilies.com/. (*) all names brands licensed by Monash University.
Jul 24
⏳ Last chance to register for Supporting Siblings: Replay access closes soon!
If you missed it, there’s still time to access the Supporting Siblings webinar series — a five-part collaboration between Belongside Families and Siblings Australia.
The series offers practical insights and real-world strategies to build resilience, strengthen sibling relationships, and support the needs of every child in the family.
🔸 Session 1: Understanding the Sibling Experience
🔸 Session 2: Supporting Relationships & Resilience
🔸 Session 3: The Sibling Role: Now & Into the Future
🔸 Session 4: Building School & Community Connections
🔸 Session 5: Sibling Support in Medically Complex Families
📌 Register by Sunday, 27 July, to receive the replay for the entire series and watch in your own time.
🔗 Visit Linkin.bio
Jul 23
If your child is returning to school today, we’re thinking of you.
There’s no one way to begin a new term.
For some, it’s an excited return.
For others, it’s wobbly first steps.
Or doing things in a way that works best for your child and your family.
However your morning looked, school gate drop off, learning from home or something in between, please know this - you’re not alone.
We see the emotional load, the quiet bravery, and the love behind every decision you make.
We’re walking beside you, celebrating your wins and holding space for the hard bits too.
🧡 Connect with others who understand by visiting the
Linkin.bio to join the Belongside Community
Jul 21
From the moment the doors opened at Source Kids, one thing was clear: parents and carers were looking for support to help their children.
Over the two days, Stacey, Bree, Kristy and Kelly from our team had the privilege of meeting hundreds of families — listening to your stories, sharing what we do, and having real conversations about the joys and challenges of raising a child with disability.
We also connected with fellow professionals and explored how we can work together to strengthen the essential support available to families.
🧡At Belongside Families, we believe that when parents and carers feel confident, informed and supported, children and families thrive. This weekend reminded us why this work matters so much, and why no parent should ever have to walk this journey alone.
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#BelongsideFamilies #WalkingAlongside #FamiliesSupportingFamilies #BelongsideCommunity #ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #BelongsideFamiliesTeam #SourceKids
Jul 21
Welcome to Term 3! 💥 We’ve got a jam-packed term ahead, full of opportunities to connect, build your confidence, and grow your skills.
Here’s what’s on this week — plus a look ahead at the workshops and webinars designed to support you and your family.
🔶 8+ Years: Letting Go of Guilt – Virtual Autism MyTime
📅 Thu, 24 Jul | 8:00pm
🔶 Connect & Chat – Virtual MyTime
📅 Fri, 25 Jul | 7:30pm
**SAVE THE DATE**
UPCOMING WEBINARS
🔶 Understanding Masking – Autism Webinar
📅 Mon, 28 Jul | 8:00pm
🔶 Nutrition in Complex Care – Medical Webinar
📅 Mon, 4 Aug | 12:00pm
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
🔶 Autistic Families – Interactive Workshop
📅 Mon, 4 Aug | 8:00pm
🔶 Healthy Mothers Healthy Families – Interactive Workshop
📅 Mon, 4 Aug | 7:30pm
🔶 Advocacy at School – Interactive Workshop
📅 Wed, 20 Aug | 8:00pm
🔶 All About Me – Interactive Workshop
📅 Tue, 26 Aug | 8:00pm
🔶 Partnering with Your Child’s School – Interactive Workshop
📅 Mon, 1 Sep | 8:00pm
See the full list of events via the Linkin.bio
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All times listed are in NSW time.
Every session is free and designed to support parents and carers raising children with disability.
#ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #PeerSupport #Belong+Alongside #WalkingWithFamilies #ReframingDisability #SpecialNeedsMum #SpecialNeedsMother #MyTime #AutismParentingTips #CareGiverSupport #DisabilityParenting
Jul 20
This was an email Ginny, our Community Lead, received. Emily, one of the parents in the Belongside Community, gave us permission to share it, and we’re so grateful she did.
It’s not always easy to put into words what connection truly means, or what can grow from it. But Emily captures it beautifully:
“Belongside Families has undoubtedly changed and improved my life. Through their Virtual MyTime I`ve found a community of parents who understand and support each other’s journey.
We share our challenges, wins, strategies and resources, which has empowered me to support my family’s needs, embrace our strengths and advocate for a more inclusive and accessible world.”
After a short break over the school holidays, our Virtual MyTime is back next week.
If you’re looking for a place to connect and learn from the experiences of other families walking a similar path, we’d love to welcome you. You can find out more about our upcoming sessions in the Linkin.bio
🧡 After all, this journey wasn’t meant to be walked alone.
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#BelongsideFamilies #BelongsideCommunity #ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #SpecialNeedsParenting #PeerSupport #VirtualMyTime
Jul 18
There are just 2 days left to register for the replay of our PDA webinar.
If your child struggles with the demands of everyday life, this webinar is not to be missed. Psychologist and author Raelene Dundon explores Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) — what it is, how it differs from other autism profiles, and practical strategies to support your child at home, school, and in the community.
📌 Register by Friday 18 July to receive the recording and watch in your own time.
🔗 Register via Linkin.bio
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#ByFamiliesForFamilies #PeerLed #ParentingDisability #PeerSupport #WalkingWithFamilies #ReframingDisability #AutismParenting #PathologicalDemandAvoidance #DisabilityParenting #UnderstandingPDA
Jul 16
You’re not alone if your family’s version of the school holidays looks different.
Maybe it’s quieter.
More screens, fewer outings.
More comfort, less pressure.
Maybe your days are built around routines that work — or no routine at all.
There’s no one right way to do school holidays.
What matters is what works for your family.
You’re doing enough. 🧡
Jul 15
My name is Andrew but some people call me Drewstar!
I have two jobs: at the Sydney Opera House in the loading dock, helping with deliveries and mail and at Taronga Zoo in their retail warehouse.
The happiest moment of my life was when I was offered my job at Taronga Zoo working on the Sky Safari Cableway.
Transportation is one of my passions. I volunteered for a year and when a position became available, my boss told me I should apply. I didn’t think I could do the interviews and pass the exams, but he gave me the support and confidence to try. The Sky Safari is currently being rebuilt which is why I’m now working in the retail warehouse. I am also very proud to work at the Sydney Opera House.
My life is really good! I go to lots of sporting matches. I like to watch NRL, Super Rugby and cricket. We go to a lot of NRL games for the Rabbitohs and the Tigers with a group of supporters. I like to share the statistics I remember about games
In the future, I want to fly to Perth on Qantas or Virgin to see the Bears’ first game in the NRL in 2027! I also want to keep working and helping other people.
I like to have a routine and don’t like surprises. We have a family calendar so we know what everyone is doing. I like to go to Woolworths and buy myself food so I know I can eat what I want. And I like to exercise so I can be fit and healthy.
One thing I wish people understood about Autism is that I can hear you when I’m not looking at you! Eye contact is very hard for me. My parents take care of me and help me every day. They also made sure I went to schools that I loved and where I felt supported.
My advice for young Autistic people is that you can try new things if you have good supports and break down tasks into steps.
And my advice for parents raising an Autistic child is to make sure that everyone is positive about what you can do and not what you can’t do. Listen to us because we have a lot to say, even if we don’t use many words.
🚆 🏉 You can find out more about sports and transport enthusiast Andrew`s Good Life via the Linkin.bio
Jul 11
