Family Minded

18/09/2025

Please consider sharing your thoughts the NDIS changes and Thriving Kids Initiative via this survey from ACD

ACD has heard questions from families across Victoria about the Thriving Kids announcement made by the Federal Minister for Health and Disability Mark Butler.

Here’s an update on what we’ve been doing and more information from the Australian Government.

Over the past couple of weeks, we have:

🔸Met with the Victorian Minister for Disability, Lizzie Blandthorn, and the Victorian Government to share the questions families have raised
🔸Written to Minister Butler, urging family engagement as critical in developing future supports
🔸Met with family-led organisation across Australia to amplify family voices
🔸Spoken up for all future supports to reflect best practice in early childhood intervention

Information from the Australian Government:

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released a fact sheet about Thriving Kids, which contains a brief outline. https://ow.ly/G97y50WSTax

The Australian Parliament has announced an Inquiry into Thriving Kids. Families are being invited to complete a brief survey to inform the inquiry. The survey closes Friday, 10th October. We encourage everyone to have your say https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Health_Aged_Care_and_Disability/ThrivingKidsinitiative

14/08/2025

Overwhelmed at times while parenting your neurodivergent or anxious child?

Some days, it feels like you’re holding it all together with sticky tape.
You’re trying to be calm, set boundaries, and meet your child’s needs… but it’s hard to know what will actually help.

You’re not alone in this — and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

CALM GUIDES is an 8-week online parenting group where:

The group is small enough (max 10 families) that you’ll actually know each other’s names

You’ll swap ideas, problem-solve together, and hear “me too” more than you thought possible

It’s led by a neurodivergent Clinical Psychologist who’s also a parent — so there’s no judgement, just understanding

We work with evidence-based strategies, but adapt them so they fit your household, your child, and your energy levels

Two options coming up:
🕒 Daytime group
🌙 Evening group

Join from anywhere in Australia via a secure online platform.

This isn’t about being a perfect parent.
It’s about feeling steadier, clearer, and more confident — one week at a time.

Spots will be limited. Register your interest here ⬇️

CALM GUIDES: Navigating the Storm Together

13/08/2025

Hello we have NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES (e.g., admin@familyminded.au) mostly the same except ending .au not .com.au WEBSITE is working. Apologies for the short notice and hassels, we have had an unexpected issue with our domain provider. Emails sent late yesterday and today will not have been received.