By Danielle Kutchel
A forthcoming expo aims to empower parents and carers of people on the autism spectrum with the information and resources they need.
Cristina Isaac, Founder and Education Consultant of Growing with Autism, knows it can be hard to find the right information when a child in your family is diagnosed with autism: she herself has two children diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.
While there are resources out there, events and expos on the topic are usually held in the city, she said, making it difficult for families on this side of town to attend.
So, she decided to be the change.
“I made a decision that I would do an expo. The south east is growing and there are lots of families with kids on the autism spectrum, so I decided to showcase what’s available and work with local groups.”
Held on Saturday May 11 from 10am til 4pm at Cranbourne Public Hall, the Family and Community Autism Expo Cranbourne will feature exhibitors from the local area, including Casey Asperger Syndrome Support. Ms Isaac said many of the smaller exhibitors started like she did: parents with children on the spectrum who spotted a gap in the market and decided to fill it with the resources they themselves needed.
The expo will cover everybody on the spectrum, from young to old, and will feature planning tools, therapy services, employment services and more.
Entertainment will be provided by Princess Aspien (Chloe Hayden) and magician Tim Ellis. There will also be face painting, and Lions Club Cranbourne will host a sausage sizzle. Girl Guides will be running craft activities to keep hands and minds busy.
Ms Isaac has worked hard to ensure the expo is affordable for families and for exhibitors, as well as being inclusive, kid friendly and sensory appropriate with minimum lighting and no music for those with sensory sensitivities.
Asked what visitors can expect, she said emphatically, “Information, and learning about what’s possible, what can help the family or what can help the individual.”
