Newsletter May 2026

COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER

MAY 2026

Supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum across Sydney and Melbourne.

COME CELEBRATE WITH US

Be part of an unforgettable evening at the Giant Steps Gala Ball in Sydney. With a fabulous venue, incredible entertainment and over 1,200 guests coming together, we hope you can join us. Don’t miss out – TICKETS CLOSING SOON!

'GO STEP' - ROBBIE'S STORY

Robert, or our Robbie, was diagnosed with level 2 Autism at 2 years old. By age 3, his diagnosis progressed to Level 3 Autism with ADHD. Later, at 6, we learned he also has an intellectual disability in the low to moderate range. 

Those early years were the hardest of our lives. 

Sleep was almost non-existent. Robbie often would not fall asleep until close to midnight, and split nights became part of our routine. He is our ‘go-go boy’ always moving, climbing, jumping and running around without fear. Every second required supervision. We never had normal family dinners. We ate in shifts because one of us always had to stay close to him. We were exhausted, physically and emotionally. 

Both of us worked full time, but life felt like constant survival. The day care centre often called us to pick him up early, so even when he was there, we never felt relieved or secure. We were always waiting for the phone to ring at any moment. 

Then in 2023, when Robbie was 4 years old, he started at Giant Steps. 

He is now almost 7. Finding Giant Steps changed our lives, not because autism became easy, but because we finally had real support. 

The support we receive is everything. 

From the very beginning, the teachers, therapists and staff saw Robbie as more than his diagnosis. They saw his potential. They helped him feel safe. They guided us with strategies we could use at home. The communication tools, the structure and the understanding have all changed how we live each day. 

Robbie is a happy boy with the most beautiful smile and two dimples. Since attending Giant Steps, he has grown in ways we once thought might not be possible. He is now starting to speak in three-to-four-word sentences. Hearing him express himself, even in small phrases, fills our hearts in ways we cannot fully describe. 

Every morning, he says, ‘Go Step’. He loves Giant Steps. His excitement each morning gives us comfort and confidence that he is exactly where he belongs. 

Toilet training at age five was something we never imagined would happen, but with the consistent support and guidance from Giant Steps, it did. Their teamwork with us at school and home made all the difference. Every milestone, no matter how small, feels like a victory for our family. 

Life with autism is still ongoing. It is still challenging, and our lives can still feel like a battle at times. We continue to face sleepless nights. Robbie still relies heavily on routine, and everything must happen in the same order, in the same way. Some days are overwhelming, but the difference now is that we are not fighting alone. 

The community that comes with Giant Steps is also truly amazing. The teachers, therapists, staff, and families who genuinely understand this journey have meant more to us than we can express. It reminds us that we are not alone. 

Giant Steps has given our family stability, guidance and hope. It has given Robbie a place where he is understood and supported and it has given us the strength to keep going. Because when your child says ‘Go Step’ with a smile, after everything you have been through, you know that hope has found its way into your home. 

With heartfelt gratitude, 
 Wannee and Niels

THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGED

I became pregnant with Kenneth at a time when I was certain I had the capacity to unconditionally love a child. I carried my belly with pride, made a list of things we could do together and dreamt of Kenneth’s future.

Our autism journey started when he was about 2.5 years old. Behind on his speech milestones and regressing in developmental milestones, the diagnostic journey was challenging with the Covid-19 pandemic. I was a young, single mother, relentlessly seeking services that would be able to understand and accept my sweet child and coming up empty-handed. 

I came across Giant Steps at a time when I was feeling my most helpless. I could not find anywhere that understood the complexity of Kenneth’s autism, the reasons behind his behaviour, what triggered him and what his needs were. I refused to give up, kept hoping and persisting, knowing that Kenneth deserved a safe, happy, educational setting, all the while starting to wonder if this goal was unreasonable. I thought I had zero chance of getting Kenneth enrolled into Giant Steps because my previous experience had convinced me that my child was ‘beyond rescue’. I will never forget the day Davina called to tell me we had a place. Our lives changed for the better from this day.

Giant Steps is more than just a school; it is a refuge for parents like me. I see the beautiful smiles of the parents at drop-off and pick-up and believe they are the most courageous, most resilient, giving humans on earth. Giant Steps meets foundational needs for children like Kenneth to be able to thrive in life, to be independent, to learn to have fun and most importantly to have equity of access to society, now and later in life! 

I have never felt so seen, supported and understood. Month by month, Kenneth, is flourishing. Thank you Giant Steps for accepting us so warmly and helping us navigate our way through this journey. 

Amanda Samarasinghe 

YOUR SUPPORT IN ACTION

Our site at Elanora Heights continues to transform the lives of participants and families by creating opportunities that weren’t possible before. The impact on Adult Autism Services is immense, with new programs flourishing.

For Isaac, the calm, natural environment at Elanora is an ideal place to focus on his art and creativity. Artmaking is a way for him to express his voice, providing a sense of purpose and a future career pathway. With an artist-in-residence facilitating formal art classes that include individual and collaborative projects, art lessons and opportunities for self-expression, Isaac along with many other participants, has been able to develop skills and contribute to the world in meaningful and creative ways. Plans are underway for murals and an onsite hanging gallery to showcase participants’ work and celebrate their talents.

Elanora has also expanded social opportunities through larger group activities, helping participants connect with peers and increase friendships. This includes cooking classes run from the industrial kitchen, with sessions supporting up to six individuals at a time. Swimming and aqua aerobics have become highlights of the week, providing fun activities that promote wellbeing, movement and confidence. Having ownership over programs in the onsite pool means activities can be tailored to participants’ individual needs and abilities.

The new space is accessible for participants with physical impairments and has allowed the team to shift the focus of programming beyond risk management towards meaningful skill development, wellbeing and personal growth.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the expansion of Giant Steps to Elanora Heights. None of this would be possible without the generosity, belief and ongoing support of our incredible community.

CLIMB FOR A CAUSE, ARE YOU IN?

We’re back! Join us on Sunday 2 August as we take on the ultimate challenge: climbing 1,000 giant steps to the top of Tower One, Barangaroo. Conquer 40 floors and 217 metres of vertical height, all while making a real difference for autistic individuals and their families.

Early Bird pricing is still available!

FIND OUT MORE AND REGISTER

MARKING A DECADE OF IMPACT

Come together with the Giant Steps Melbourne community for a night of celebration and fundraising. We warmly invite you to join us on Saturday 8 August at Centrepiece at Melbourne Park for a special evening.
Celebrate our successes to date with our strong community of families, generous funders and corporate partners. Purchase your tickets, book a table, or explore opportunities to support the event as a sponsor.

BUY TICKETS

FUNDRAISERS

There have been many wonderful and innovative events including Chinese New Year, Greek Night, Golf Day, Rialto Run Up, BBQ’s, trivia, bingo, lunches and endurance challenges. With very special thanks to the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem Knights of Malta for their recent Charity Luncheon.
We would also like to acknowledge our wonderful corporate sponsors whose contributions go such a long way towards the success of our fundraisers in Sydney and Melbourne.

23rd Annual Golf Day – Sydney

Held on Thursday 26 March, Bonnie Doon Golf Club

Diamond Sponsor: Australian Stockbrokers Foundation

Platinum Sponsors: BMG Air Conditioning, Buildline Constructions, PM Electric, Sydney Shoulder Research Institute

Gold Sponsors: AI Topper, Bare Demolition, Classic Backyards, Encore Fire Systems, Flamesafe Fire Protection, Fugen Constructions, Henry & Hymas, JA Roofing, LHC Capital, Lotos Concretors, Magic Seal, Metal Projects, Ogalo, QPC & C, Reece Onsite, Retaining Wall Systems, Sydney Bass Floors, The Lady Hampshire Hotel

Greek Night – Melbourne

Held on Saturday 21 March, Templestowe Function Centre

Silver Sponsors: Vesuvio Healthy Living, ASPIS Maintenance Group, Bendigo Bank

Bronze Sponsors: Down The Rabbit Hole, Access Therapist
 

Rialto Run Up – Melbourne

Held on Sunday 22 March, Rialto

Gold Sponsors: Rialto, A.G.Coombs

Sydney

A Night in Positano

Saturday 13 June

Tower One Stair Challenge

Sunday 2 August

Melbourne

Giant Breakfast

Thursday 28 May

Giant Steps Melbourne Ball

Saturday 8 August

Check out the highlights from our 2025 Tower One Stair Challenge and sign up today!

We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 Giant Steps Melbourne Ball, tickets on sale now.

Support Our Work

Giant Steps Australia is a registered charity and donations are tax deductible.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

DONATE TO SYDNEY
OR
DONATE TO MELBOURNE

Newsletter December 2025

COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 2025

Supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum across Sydney and Melbourne.

LUCKY IN THE HARDEST TIMES

Our family, and my beautiful little girl are such hard work, and we require so much effort that any other school in Australia would have asked us to leave years ago. They would have said, in the nicest way, “Go away, you are too hard, too much trouble”.

Our story is one of just surviving, just hanging on by our fingernails. We have needed a lot of help to do that, and most of it has come from Giant Steps.

This isn’t a story of how hard our life is, but rather, how lucky we are to be part of the Giant Steps community.

Our first bit of good luck happened not too long after Giant Steps was established. From a waiting list of more than 100, the school took on 3 new students, and we were one of them. Erica was five.

About 12 years later, we had some more good luck. When Erica was close to finishing school, we looked around to see what was available and were very concerned. The school came to the same conclusion as us, and Erica, along with a handful of other Giant Steps graduates were the pioneers of a post school program which opened in 2009.

Now in its 17th year and supporting 50 adults including Erica, I have no idea what we would have done if that option hadn’t appeared.

So, with all that good luck, what could possibly go wrong? Unfortunately, plenty, and throughout Erica’s teenage years into early adulthood we had a really tough time.

Erica is verbal, but only just. She has maybe 6 or 8 words. “Yes, no, Daddy, finish, no way, happy”. “Happy” is perhaps the best verbal interaction we have with her. On a good day she will put an arm around my shoulder, snuggle in and say “happy” in a satisfied tone. That is probably as close as we will ever get to her saying “love you”.

Erica can feed herself, maybe find something in the fridge or cupboard, but can’t prepare anything, even something basic, from scratch. She needs full assistance with dressing, bathing, cleaning teeth and taking medication. She has no road sense.

Erica doesn’t ‘get’ Christmas, or Easter, or birthdays. She is actually afraid of birthday candles. So those times of year, usually so full of joy for most families, aren’t big at our place.

When you are autistic, the world is often a confusing and even frightening place. How do you react when you are angry or confused? Or when you want to be left alone, but can’t tell anyone how you feel? Or frightened, sitting in a doctor’s waiting room. For Erica, her way to communicate displeasure was to hit, spit, pull hair, throw things, push over furniture, slam doors, break windows, or the TV. I always felt it must be terrible to be inside Erica’s frustrated head at such times, trying to get a message across, but unable to do so.

As a parent how do you deal with everyday life, how do you cope? You tend to avoid taking your child to the shops, or to social events. Or you tag team – one parent goes, one stays at home. One leaves early, one comes late. Simple things that other families take for granted like going to a restaurant on Mother’s Day, or even something as basic as McDonalds can become difficult or impossible.

It was easier to avoid these occasions. But unless you made a conscious effort, it was also easy to become isolated or even ostracised.

Over time, Giant Steps did a great job of helping Erica participate in lots of activities. Eventually, we could go to a coffee shop, or even a restaurant – if it was quick. These are important achievements, hard to measure but life changing.

As Erica moved into her teens, she began sleeping for long periods of time, up to 20 hours overnight, all weekend and day-after-day in the holidays. After years of testing by multiple specialists we finally got a diagnosis of bipolar disorder on top of her autism. The sleep was the predominant “down” phase of the bipolar.

As Erica got older, and had a surge in teenage hormones, she slept less but still had depression. But it changed, and presented as anger, aggression and agitation. She didn’t want to get up most mornings, her way of saying “go away, leave me alone” was very physical and we had enormous challenges every day when bathing and dressing her.

When College opened, every morning for the first 5 weeks we had a tremendous battle getting dressed, then hitting, spitting, pulling my hair and throwing things in the car as we drove towards Giant Steps. Then, when we arrived at College getting her out of the car and up the stairs was another battle. When I finally got her inside, she would hit and spit at staff, push furniture over, bang the TV, pull open the filing cabinets. Every day I was afraid they would say, “today is the final straw, take her away”. But no, the staff would welcome her and send me home. I would make a token offer to take her with me, then bolt as quickly as I could, before they had a chance to change their mind.

Erica did eventually settle, however, we had as many bad weeks as we had good ones over the next 2 years. But Giant Steps never gave up on us.

When Erica was 19 and we had endured months of relentless, daily challenges, we finally had to accept that we couldn’t manage her at home. We had to give up her care and put her into a group home. Was that our low point, did it get better from there? No, it got worse.

6 months after moving into the group home, something went wrong one night. Erica assaulted staff, and other residents. No-one knew what to do. Staff panicked and phoned the police, and 3 officers came. Erica started hitting one of them and they responded as they were trained to – they grabbed her, capsicum sprayed her in the face, wrestled her to the ground and handcuffed her face down on the concrete path. Then she was carted off to the psychiatric ward at Concord Hospital.

I was devastated. I felt I had failed our beautiful, fragile, confused, little baby girl, I should have been there to protect her. To save her from herself, but I had failed her. And if it was bad for us, imagine what it must have been like to be inside her head that evening. It took me months before I could talk about it without choking up and having my eyes fill with tears.

The only place we could turn to for help was Giant Steps. They rallied around us in unbelievable ways, rostered staff to be with her every day, even on the weekends.

Erica went into a deep depression. Wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t drink. We spoon fed her jelly and squirted water down her throat with a syringe and she hardly got out of bed for weeks.

For almost 18 months, Erica wasn’t well enough to attend College. But Giant Steps came to Erica.

What other organisation in Australia would do that for you? What other team of staff would have done what Giant Steps did for us? Any other place would have kicked us out years ago for being too hard.

We are very lucky to be part of Giant Steps.

Finally, slowly, Erica settled and her medication was fine-tuned. Life became better for us, but more importantly, it became better for Erica.

14 years on, Erica is living her best life yet – beautiful, smiling and happy. With the help of the NDIS and the combined efforts of 3 families, she is living in a purpose-built home with two other peers from Giant Steps. Erica attends College (now Adult Autism Services) and is constantly learning new skills, albeit it with slow, small steps.

Autism is for life. People like Erica who are profoundly autistic will need help for life. Giant Steps has been providing this help for our family for almost 30 years.

Ivana, my wife, and I, are still married. We haven’t killed each other… but are in fact coming up to our 36th wedding anniversary. The future for our whole family is looking much brighter and better than it has for years.

Ian Morris

A COMMUNITY THAT TRULY GETS IT

Remy is my 17-year-old son who is intellectually disabled and has complex autism.

He will never have the privilege of living independently and will require full-time support in every personal and social part of his life.

He does not have sophisticated language or speech to tell us how he feels, so we rely on his facial expressions, his sounds and his physicality to show us.

There is a BGS (Before-Giant-Steps) time for our family and then an AGS (After-Giant-Steps) story. BGS was a minefield of unknown quantities – would he be able to stay at school a whole day? Which school will he attend next year? What does Remy’s future look like? What does our family’s future look like? Now that we are in our AGS era, there is a security knowing that Remy’s future is safe with a community of peers, education experts and specialists that understand his world and create opportunities to expand and celebrate it.

Before Giant Steps, I couldn’t imagine Remy going on a hike through a national park or being part of a dance concert. His world didn’t include surf lessons or birthday parties. These are now all part of an average term for Remy and his cohort of peers. Giant Steps see the person before the diagnosis, the potential before the barriers, and in doing that, they help kids like Remy shine in ways we never thought possible.

What makes Giant Steps truly extraordinary is the way they tailor every moment of learning to each child’s needs, strengths and challenges.

Remy is not expected to fit into a mould; the program wraps around him. His team sees the whole person; his sensory world, his communication style, his anxieties, his passions, and they build an educational pathway that honours all of it. They understand that a child with complex needs sits at the centre of a much wider circle – siblings, parents, grandparents, support workers, friends. They walk alongside our entire family, acknowledging the emotional load, celebrating the wins, and reminding us that we are part of a community that truly “gets it”.

The impact of that can’t be overstated, it changes how a family breathes.

Over the past 10 years, Remy has woken up every morning and with his bright, eager eyes has asked “school?”. On the days that I get to say “yes, today you get to go to Giant Steps school” the joy that spreads across his body is infectious knowing that he will be welcomed, understood and engaged with.

What more could you want for any child?

Jess Stimson

MAKING THE EVERYDAY POSSIBLE

Every morning at Giant Steps, I see small moments that remind me why our work matters. One of our students, who once found it too overwhelming to enter the classroom, now walks in with a smile and proudly places his bag on its hook. That simple moment, something many people take for granted, took months of patient support, routines, visuals, sensory strategies, teamwork and trust.

These victories don’t happen by accident. They happen because our students have access to specialised programs, passionate staff and the resources they need to feel safe, confident and understood.

As an Occupational Therapist, I have the privilege of helping children discover new abilities, regulate their emotions and participate in the world in ways their families once wondered if they ever could.

At Giant Steps, Occupational Therapy plays a crucial role in helping students engage in their primary occupation of being a student. I work closely within a transdisciplinary team to ensure each child is supported across the classroom, playground, community and home environments. I value this collaborative approach because it strengthens every program and helps students generalise their skills across all settings.

Occupational Therapy focuses on building independence in self-care, emotional regulation, sensory processing, engagement and personal productivity. Many of our students experience sensory processing differences that affect the way they move, attend and regulate. By understanding these needs and tailoring supports around them, we aim to create environments and opportunities where students feel safe, capable and empowered.

For me, I’m helping a child take a step they never thought possible. And sometimes, that one small step changes everything.

Cheryl Toth, Director of Occupational Therapy – Secondary

PLAYSTEPS

Playsteps is a supported playgroup for children aged 2 to 4 years with an autism diagnosis and their parents or primary caregivers. Enrolments for 2026 are open. 

FIND OUT MORE

FUNDRAISERS

We would like to acknowledge our incredible community of supporters whose generosity made recent fundraising events across Sydney and Melbourne possible. From Greek Night and Trivia, to High Tea, Lawn Bowls, the Festive Market, Dinner on the Rooftop, our first ever Music Festival and the 19th Annual Bike Ride, we are truly grateful for your continued commitment and support. 

Giant Fest – Melbourne
Held on Sunday 26 October, The Timber Yard
Gold Sponsors: Bambini Early Learning, Architecture Works, Serene Body Health

Sydney

Chinese New Year
Saturday 7 March
Virtually New To You
Saturday 28 March
Drag Bingo
Saturday 18 April
Annual Gala Ball
Saturday 13 June

Melbourne

Greek Night
Saturday 21 March
Giant Steps Melbourne Ball
Saturday 8 August

A DECADE OF IMPACT

Future Generation Australia has played a pivotal role in the growth of Giant Steps over the past 10 years, helping us expand our programs and reach more children and families. Their cornerstone support made it possible to open Giant Steps Melbourne, launch the Autism Training Hub, build our operational capacity and transform learning outcomes for students. We’re humbled and proud to continue as a social impact partner.

Support Our Work

Giant Steps Australia is a registered charity and donations are tax deductible.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

DONATE TO SYDNEY
OR
DONATE TO MELBOURNE

Newsletter September 2025

COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 2025

Supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum across Sydney and Melbourne.

BEYOND WHAT ANYONE IMAGINED

30 years ago a small group of parents had the vision to establish a school for students on the autism spectrum that was unlike anything else in Australia. A place where every child would have the opportunity to learn, grow, be accepted and understood for exactly who they are.
Join us as we look back on where it all began, how far we’ve come and what’s next. 

THEY THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING!

Roxie is non-verbal. She doesn’t speak, and for a long time, she had no reliable way to communicate beyond a few sounds and hand-leading us, wordlessly, to the things she needed or wanted. So how do we tell the story of a child who can’t tell her own? How do you speak for someone who doesn’t have a voice in the way the world expects? Truthfully… you can’t, not fully.

We can try to piece together her story… From the way she laughs when she hears her favourite song. From the way she smiles when her swing lifts off the ground. To the way she puts our hands over her ears when she’s overwhelmed, and the way she stomps her foot when she’s frustrated. We can tell you how hard it’s been. And how beautiful.

Roxie is 7 years old – she is radiant, resilient and deeply affectionate. She loves the beach, puzzles, books and music, especially music.

Her entry into the world came with a few bumps – a week in the NICU, some concerns about her feeding, hips and tongue. She wore a harness for her first year of life. By the time she was turning one we were starting to feel like the dust had settled, that we were out of the worst, like we could breathe again. And then everything changed.

Shortly after Roxie’s first birthday, and expecting our second child, Roxie was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) – a rare genetic condition that most people, including us, had never heard of. We were told not to Google it. We Googled it. We wish we hadn’t.

TSC brought with it epilepsy, brain tumours, autism, and severe intellectual disability. In addition to this it created an incredibly uncertain future as TSC typically results in the growth of tumours that impacts the brain, heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys and skin as well as a host of other less significant issues. With each wave of seizures, we watched our daughter fade. She lost the few words she had. She stopped making eye contact. She stopped smiling. And in the most painful way, it felt like we were losing parts of her – pieces we didn’t know how to get back.

I remember walking down the street with her or trying to. She’d drop to the ground in distress, and people would stare. We couldn’t go anywhere. We couldn’t leave her for a moment. And then, one day, we got a call from her preschool. She’d been asked to leave. No warning, just, ‘She’s too hard’.

Too hard. She was four.

We were already hanging on by a thread – juggling a baby, work, therapy appointments, the financial strain of in-home care. We were tired, grieving the parenting journey we thought we’d have. And we were lost. We needed help, and we had no idea where to turn.

And then… we heard about Giant Steps.

We reached out, not really expecting much. But when we visited, they said something we’ll never forget, ‘We have other Roxie’s.” That sentence. We had never heard it before. Not once. Not from any school, any therapist, any support provider. They didn’t just say, ‘She’ll fit in’. They said, ‘She belongs’. And everything changed from that moment on.

Today, Roxie still faces enormous challenges, but she is no longer silent. She uses a communication device – her talker. She knows her alphabet, her colours, her numbers, her shapes. She labels the days of the week, requests her favourite songs at dinner, sometimes she uses it to tell us that she went swimming, or to the OT room at school. And every time she presses a button and her voice is heard, we feel like the whole world opens a little more.

Roxie now walks with us to the café, to the bush trail near our home. She’s learning to get dressed on her own. She eats with a spoon. She’s starting to use the toilet. And for the first time in her life, she has friends. They may not play with her in the traditional way, but they sit beside her, sometimes push her on the swing, and they know her name.

All of this – every single milestone, every moment of progress – has been made possible because of Giant Steps.

To support Roxie’s development, each new skill needs to be broken down to its smallest part. Each part often requires hundreds of hours of reinforcement, in multiple settings as often the skills don’t transfer from one location to another. It requires countless hours of printing and laminating to provide visual prompts, it requires musical triggers to help motivate her and assist her to understand where we are, or where we are going.

Roxie requires one on one support for pretty much all aspects of daily life. A child whose very existence is deemed too hard by so many. At Giant Steps she is not only welcomed, but also embraced, she is celebrated and truly supported in ways that work for her!

They have thought of everything. When she wouldn’t wear her glasses, her teacher made sure everyone in the class wore glasses too. When haircuts were too traumatic, the hairdresser came to school. When her behaviour at home became unsafe – pinching, biting, hitting – the Giant Steps Mental Health Clinic gave us tools that worked. Through all the challenging behaviours never, not once, has the team at Giant Steps given up on her. They meet her with patience, creativity, and deep respect. They see past the behaviours and respond to the need underneath. Their love and belief in her never wavers, no matter how hard the day.

Giant Steps has helped with sleep, with sensory regulation, with toilet training. They coordinated her therapies, connected us with specialists, and have helped us navigate the chaos of the NDIS. They’ve even created school holiday programs to keep Roxie connected to her favourite place. They’ve taken her bushwalking, swimming, horse riding – not because these are luxuries, but because they are lifelines for children like Roxie.

And they have wrapped us – all of us – in support. There are Mother’s Day and Father’s Day events. There are sibling days, so her little brother Teddy can feel seen too. There are therapists, teachers, clinicians, and more than anything, there is community.

There is also the hope that Giant Steps will be there for her future — for the unknowns that we still face. With the new Elanora Heights property, for the first time, we’re daring to imagine what the future might look like for her. That there will be a place for her to continue learning, connecting, and being part of something bigger than her diagnosis.

To everyone who supports Giant Steps, thank you. For showing up. For making a difference. For standing beside families like ours and saying, ‘You’re not alone’.

Rob and Mimi Rossano

JUST LIKE FAMILY

Luca is six years old. He is pure energy and joy, our ‘hurricane boy’. He barrels into life with arms back, hair flying, and a laugh that can fill a room. The smallest things bring him delight – seaweed crackers, the crunch of autumn leaves, neck tickles, or someone saying ‘broad bean’ in a funny voice.

But behind that joy are challenges that most people can’t see.

When Luca was very young, we noticed things were different. He didn’t meet milestones the way other babies did. He needed more support to sit, stand, crawl, walk, eat, and engage with the world. Thankfully, due to my professional training I was able to implement the therapies I knew he needed before we received any formal diagnoses.

Our busy therapy world began at just seven months – daily physiotherapy, weekly hydrotherapy, and then later speech and occupational therapy. Our home became a therapy hub with weighted vests, standing frames, sensory swings, endless appointments. From the start I felt sure my little boy was autistic, however, I also knew there was something more going on.

During COVID, we did genetic testing and heard the words no parent wants to hear – ‘Your son has a severe intellectual disability caused by a rare and random mutation called KCNQ2. He may never walk or talk and will always depend on you for his basic needs. Seizures will likely come’.

I can still remember where I was standing, it felt like the floor had disappeared. Launching into action, I spent nights researching, joining parent groups, searching for hope… Days were spent in therapy exercises, driving to appointments, and caring for his 2 older siblings. Eventually, autism, ADHD, and epilepsy were also confirmed.

Luca needs a very high level of support to feel safe and regulated. He has significant communication challenges; his world is experienced without spoken words. He is a determined little boy who cannot express his needs which leads to frustration and unexplained tears. He does not know how to ask for help if he is hurt. Luca finds it extremely challenging to stand still for one moment, he races back and forth frenetically trying to escape outside. He has no awareness of danger and will run out onto the road if given the opportunity.

Finding Giant Steps has been life changing.

At school, they meet him where he is, with energy, warmth, humour, and love. The staff are incredible. They’re not just teachers and therapists; they are cheerleaders, problem-solvers, protectors. They take him for walks, trampoline time, sensory breaks. They have taught him routines and transitions using visuals and music therapy. They have a song for everything! They celebrate every small win as if it’s a gold medal. And they do it with smiles, laughter, and genuine care.

Giant Steps always goes above and beyond. When they’ve suspected Luca might be unwell or at risk of a seizure, they don’t just send him home – they’ve had a staff member accompany him and his support worker all the way home just to make sure he’s safe. They’ve accompanied us to tricky medical procedures at the hospital offering support and help. They treat him as if he were their own.

Daily life for us is full-on. Keeping Luca safe requires constant vigilance. He has no awareness of danger; he is determined and incredibly strong, he needs one-to-one support every moment. We battle for funding, juggle work, and care for him around the clock.

Three years ago, we were searching for a school. I couldn’t imagine leaving my most vulnerable child somewhere all day, a little boy who couldn’t tell me if he was scared or hurt. Our first tour of a special school left me heavy-hearted – there was a sense of sadness, hopelessness. Yet from the moment Davina met us at the gate, smiling, I knew Giant Steps was different. There was laughter, swings, a trampoline, calm classrooms, visual supports and caring staff. Everywhere we went there was an undeniable energy – staff greeting students with warmth, laughing with them, crouching down to their level, celebrating each moment.

Since then, Giant Steps has become family. They celebrate Luca’s busy, joyful ways. They’ve stood with us in our hardest moments, like when Luca had a 20-minute seizure at school. And they do it all with kindness, humour, and courage. Whether it’s a medical emergency, an injury, or simply wanting to make sure a little boy gets home safely—they show up, without hesitation.

Luca’s life will always be different. He will always need a great deal of support but because of Giant Steps his world is full of joy, safety, and possibility.

Danuta Gill

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

After months of preparation, and thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, overnight respite officially opened at our Elanora Heights site in July.

In just a short time, we’ve already hosted 70 overnight stays incorporating bushwalks around Narrabeen Lakes, trips to the beach, swimming, shopping, preparing and cooking meals, movie nights, and even a dog-walking program.

The Lodge itself has been transformed into a safe, welcoming space featuring a large living and dining area, 10 bedrooms, separate bathrooms, and a staff office – designed to feel both inclusive and homelike.

Most importantly, the impact on families has already been life changing.

Will is 15 and has never successfully been able to stay away from home. Before COVID, he attempted another respite service, but his anxiety completely overwhelmed him. Since this time he has not been able to spend a night away – even Giant Steps camps have been difficult.

As overnight respite became a reality, a coordinated effort involving Teachers, the Mental Health Clinic, Behaviour Support Practitioner, and the Respite Team created an intentional plan to support Will. From managing sleep routines to building familiarity and trust, every detail was carefully considered.

Even so, his mum, Catherine, admits she didn’t think it would be successful. But the Giant Steps ethos of never giving up and always finding a way has made it possible. “To have him stay overnight is amazing for our family. We’re able to take Will’s brother, Lachlan, to a restaurant every Thursday night for a family meal – something we’ve never been able to do. The collaborative effort of everyone to make this happen is simply amazing. I can’t imagine it working anywhere else.”

Respite Coordinator, Zoe Meaker, shares her excitement for what lies ahead:
“The impact of short-term accommodation is so beneficial — not only does it provide much-needed respite for families and carers, but it also helps participants build independence and autonomy away from home. The relaxed setting allows me to connect with participants on a personal level. Supporting individuals to make their own dinner, care for their space, and enjoy a night or two away from home is so rewarding. These are experiences many of us take for granted, and I’m thrilled to help make them a reality for as many families as we can.”

A DAY IN THE LIFE

The build has finished and our community is growing. Glimpse a day in the life at Giant Steps Melbourne, celebrating the joy, growth and spirit of our students and participants. 

FUNDRAISERS

Thank you to the extraordinary efforts of our parents, corporate sponsors and supporters we’ve held a number of successful fundraising events across Sydney and Melbourne. Zinc at Fed Square transformed into a ‘Night in Paris’, hundreds of climbers conquered the Tower One Stair Challenge, we’ve enjoyed High Tea, Yoga, RnB, Trivia, delicious Giant Dinners, testing the limits at City2Surf and Run Melbourne, and dancing the night away at Bollywood. None of this is possible without your support!

Giant Steps Melbourne Ball

Held on Saturday 30 August, Zinc at Fed Square, Melbourne

Silver Sponsors: Bega, Kidder Williams, Ausfine Foods, Bell Potter, Linfox, Capgemini 

Tower One Stair Challenge – Sydney

Held on Sunday 3 August, Tower One, Barangaroo

Bronze Sponsor: Minds At Play

Sydney

Greek Night
Friday 24 October

Giant Steps Trivia Night
Friday 31 October

19th Annual Bike Ride
Friday 14 – Sunday 16 November

Afternoon on the Greens
Saturday 15 November

Giant Steps at the Movies
Thursday 27 November

Melbourne

Scarecrow Festival
Sunday 5 October

Nike Melbourne Marathon
Sunday 12 October

Giant Fest
Sunday 26 October

19th Annual Bike Ride
Friday 14 – Sunday 16 November

STRYDE4 Corporate Challenge
Wednesday 26 November

High Tea
Sunday 30 November

READY TO ROCK

Come along to our feel-good, all-ages community music festival at The Timberyard in Port Melbourne on Sunday 26 October. Featuring a fantastic lineup of live artists, mouth-watering food trucks, fun activities for the kids and a sensory-friendly break room.
Sing along with our headlining act, Ivana from Australian Idol, and enjoy sets from Mister Co, Ambraya, Cleo Marie and more.  All in support of Giant Steps Melbourne.

For more information and to book tickets click here. 

Support Our Work

Giant Steps Australia is a registered charity and donations are tax deductible.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

DONATE TO SYDNEY
OR
DONATE TO MELBOURNE

Newsletter June 2025

COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER

JUNE 2025

Supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum across Sydney and Melbourne.

Check out our latest video to see why your help is so important.

PLEASE DONATE THIS EOFY

To create the space we need to grow, we’ve made significant capital investments in Sydney and Melbourne. But with a funding shortfall of over $8.3 million this year, we urgently need your support.

Now, more than ever, your generosity can help us welcome more families, expand vital services, establish overnight respite and bring our new Elanora Heights site and Melbourne school building to life.

If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation before June 30. Your support means the world to us.

MAKE A DONATION

EVERY DAY FELT LIKE A BATTLE

Alex was an easy baby but at about 10-12 months old we started noticing something wasn’t quite right. He wasn’t meeting developmental milestones as his older brother Adam did. He didn’t respond to his name, had poor eye contact and wasn’t pointing or babbling. As the months went by, Alex struggled more and more.

As a toddler Alex wasn’t interested in social interactions with his family or with other children. He was happy to just wander around playing on his own. As he got a little older, the sensory seeking and repetitive behaviours became more apparent, he wasn’t saying any words or understanding anything when spoken to.

At 20 months old we reached out to our local health clinic to start the diagnostic process.
I remember the difficulties of navigating different services and therapies, feeling alone and without much guidance. I would search social media groups and local playgrounds looking for families I could relate to.

Alex was diagnosed at 3 years old; we were devastated, but we also felt a sense of relief to finally have it confirmed. Typical daycare centres couldn’t cater to his needs, his behaviours were becoming a safety concern, and we were desperate for help. Everyday felt like a battle, fighting to be heard and to get Alex what he needed and deserved. The desperation we felt for inclusion for our boy was immense.

At the same time, we were also having concerns about our youngest child Jamie. He too wasn’t meeting milestones and ticked all the boxes for an autism diagnosis. Jamie struggled a lot as a baby and toddler; he was always distressed and unable to find comfort.

The journey of diagnosis and therapies was a little easier with Jamie as we already had firsthand experience, he was diagnosed at 2.5 years old.

Alex started at Giant Steps in the Early Years Program in 2024 and is now in Primary School.
Jamie started in the Early Years Program this year.

Alex is our sweet natured loving boy, full of energy and creativity. He’s always on the move and keeping us on our toes. We are so proud of all his achievements no matter how big or small.
Jamie is our little cuddle monster, he is fierce and knows what he wants, his smile and giggles can brighten anyone’s day.

Since coming to Giant Steps, we have finally found what we were looking for; community, friendships and most importantly a place where Alex and Jamie thrive and belong. We are no longer desperate for help.

Each morning upon arrival at Giant Steps we are greeted by the smiling faces of a team of people who genuinely care for our children – there is no better feeling.

Alex and Jamie’s learning and development at Giant Steps is tailored to their needs and interests. They are motivated and eager to go to school each day. Their days are filled with wonderful lessons and therapies including speech, music and occupational therapy, art class, cooking, gardening, excursions and much more!

Our family’s struggle isn’t over, but it’s a whole lot easier because of Giant Steps and we are forever grateful.

Angela Crespin

IMPACT CAN TAKE MANY FORMS

It can be found in something as simple as a small act of kindness—an encouraging word, a moment of understanding, or a helping hand when it’s most needed. These seemingly small gestures often have a profound effect, helping someone through a difficult day or a challenging moment. Kindness creates impact, and that impact ripples outward in ways we may never fully see.

How we measure kindness and impact varies greatly. For some, it’s marked by clear milestones—an outstanding achievement, a job well done, or the ability to uplift others. But for many, impact is deeply personal. It lives in the quiet victories and the unseen efforts that make a lasting difference.

At Giant Steps, making a difference is at the heart of everything we do. And the impact we see stretches far beyond any one student—it touches siblings, parents, extended families, and entire communities. The stories families share when they arrive at Giant Steps are often filled with pain, stories of rejection, fear, isolation, and a profound lack of understanding. But they are also stories of hope—because they’ve found a place that sees, understands, and embraces their child with care, expertise, and heart.

We welcome children and young adults with complex needs—many of whom arrive having been turned away elsewhere. Some cannot speak, others live with severe anxiety or behavioural and sensory challenges. What we offer is not only education but understanding. We look beyond the individual to support the whole family, recognizing the many layers of impact they carry.

From the very first meeting, we let parents know they are not alone. They are joining a community built on deep professional expertise—from music, speech, and occupational therapists to teachers and educational support staff. But even more than that, they are joining a family. A family of other parents who’ve walked this road, of supporters who believe in our mission, and of staff who celebrate every step forward—no matter how small.

One of the hardest things we do is ask for help. Even when we know people care and want to make a difference, it’s never easy. That’s why it means so much when help is simply offered—when someone reads a story, makes a donation, or shares their time or skills. Those acts of kindness fuel everything we do.

Because of your support, Giant Steps continues to grow. We continue to walk alongside our students as they build independence, gain life and vocational skills, and become active, valued members of their communities. Each one of those achievements—each Giant Step—is made possible by you.

And for that, we are endlessly grateful.

Barry Irvin AM, Chairman 

BY AGE TWO THERE WAS SILENCE

Discovering we were having twins was one of the best moments of our lives. We were overjoyed, imagining our perfect little bundles of joy—two precious, beautiful babies. Alexander and Amelia were everything we had dreamed of. Watching them grow has been an incredible journey, even though it was one we didn’t quite expect.

By the time Alexander was 18 months old, he was already showing remarkable abilities. He could repeat words, say “Mum” and “Dad,” point to objects, count, and recite the alphabet. He even had a knack for spinning coasters on the floor—sometimes as many as six at once—and would try to spin pot lids too. We thought he was a genius, especially when comparing him to his sister, who wasn’t doing these things. But then, things began to change. He started waking up for hours in the middle of the night, stopped responding to his name, preferred to spend more time alone, and by the time he turned two, he went silent—as if he’d forgotten everything. We were lost, unsure of what was happening. Despite the paediatricians’ reassurance to “give him time”, we knew something wasn’t right.

It was while watching a reality TV show we had our first real clue. One of the cast members was tearfully describing her child’s autism diagnosis, listing all the symptoms, and suddenly it clicked—this was Alexander.

Throughout this journey, we’ve met so many amazing parents and built beautiful connections. One mum suggested we look at Giant Steps Melbourne, praising the school’s excellence. Although Kew was an hour’s drive from home, we decided it was worth a try and put our name on the waitlist. Soon enough, we were accepted.

Now in our fourth year at Giant Steps Melbourne, Alexander is thriving. His first year was fantastic—he adored his teacher—and every year since he has been happy and engaged. The team at Giant Steps has shown us tremendous love, support, and guidance. They work with Alexander daily, teaching him social skills, supporting his communication needs with his AAC device, and providing opportunities for adventure club, school camp, and peer interactions. The feedback from his teachers has been positive.

Giant Steps is not only helping Alexander improve his communication and comprehension skills, but they’re also nurturing his ability to engage in social interactions and form meaningful relationships with his peers. They’ve provided strategies to manage his anger and frustration, improving his self-regulation skills so he can better cope with overwhelming emotions.

We feel incredibly fortunate to have found such a wonderful school and a team that genuinely cares for Alexander and all the kids at Giant Steps, each with their unique needs and challenges. Seeing the children leave the school gates every day with smiles on their faces reminds us how lucky we are to have this incredible community supporting our children.

Giant Steps offers unparalleled love, care, and support, creating individualised educational programs tailored to each student. They are setting the standard for what special schools in Australia should be. This school has been a lifesaver, and we are so proud to be part of this amazing organisation.

Despite the challenges, there are so many beautiful moments to cherish. Sometimes, we don’t realize just how different our family life is from the norm—you simply keep going. Knowing that we have the Giant Steps team and other families on this journey with us makes it all just a little bit easier.

Diana Josevska

COMMUNITY AT ITS BEST

The Oxford English Dictionary defines “community” as a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. It also speaks to a deeper connection, a sense of belonging, of being part of something greater than oneself. At Giant Steps, community is not just a word; it’s the very essence of who we are. It’s the heartbeat of our organisation. Quite truthfully, Giant Steps wouldn’t be the place it is today without the strength, generosity, and spirit of our community.

This year has been a time of incredible growth and renewal in Melbourne. The opening of our new building has marked a significant milestone, allowing us to welcome new students and families, and to expand our dedicated team. But more than just bricks and mortar, this new space has become an opportunity, an invitation for our community to return, reconnect, and re-engage. The presence of families, friends, and supporters within our walls has reminded us just how much we missed the richness of these connections during the construction period.

In just one semester, the reach and impact of our community have been nothing short of inspiring. We’ve hosted numerous prospective family tours and presentations to potential donors and charity organisations. Our special Friends of Giant Steps Group now holds their meetings in Peppercorn Hall, which is also used by our neighbours in the Kew Hebrew Congregation. We’ve facilitated Parent Information Sessions, IP meetings, and Mental Health Clinics. Through The Autism Hub, we’ve also delivered professional learning to external professionals, extending our impact.

But community at Giant Steps is not confined to formal events or scheduled programs. It lives in the everyday moments, the parents and friends who volunteer their time to tidy and maintain our grounds, the Threads group who craft story sacks for our literacy program, sew bean bag covers, and create exquisite costumes for our Primary Dance Performance. It’s in the students from other schools and universities who join us for work experience and social awareness programs, and in the regular visits from our friends in adult services, enriching their personal development through connection.

Our community partnerships are another powerful thread in our tapestry. Organisations like C Care, All Things Equal, Pitcher Partners and Toyota provide meaningful work experience opportunities, participate in working bees and corporate volunteer days, raise funds through events like the Rialto Run Up, and offer generous donations. Their commitment helps us grow and thrive.

Volunteers play a vital role in our programs and events. From supporting Adventure Club to organising our library, sourcing new books, and sparking curiosity in our students, their contributions are felt deeply and widely. And perhaps most profoundly, community is built and sustained by our families. They share stories, offer support, exchange resources, and collaborate on fundraising initiatives that help meet the needs of our organisation year after year. Their dedication is unwavering.

Community is the key ingredient in the Giant Steps story. It is the many threads, woven together, that create the rich, vibrant tapestry of who we are. To you, our community: thank you. Your support, your presence, and your belief in our mission make all the difference.

Davina Bate, Principal, Giant Steps Melbourne

FUNDRAISERS

Our recent Celebrating 30 Years Gala Ball was an unforgettable evening that exceeded our expectations in every possible way! From the record number of guests attending, to this year’s record breaking profit, we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made it such a special occasion. You can view our short highlights video here.

We’d also like to thank all our participants and supporters across Sydney and Melbourne who contributed to the success of the Rialto Run Up and our Drag Bingo fundraising events. Thank you for helping us raise much needed funds. 

Celebrating 30 Years Annual Gala Ball – Sydney

Held on Saturday 14 June, International Convention Centre

Gold Sponsors: Quay Business Services, Goldman Sachs Gives

Silver Sponsors: Addisons, Australian Vintage, Bega Group, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers, Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Harris Page & Associates, Chalouhi, Aera, Thriveability Care, Rabobank, Tumbleturn Marketing Advisory, Tribecca Car Rentals
Event Sponsors: Mayo Hardware, Ryobi, ICC, Glassbreakers, CactusCan, 

Rialto Run Up – Melbourne

Held on Sunday 18 May, Rialto

Gold Sponsors: Adapt Wealth Management, Rialto, Count Charitable Foundation

Silver Sponsors: Capitol, A.G.Coombs
Bronze Sponsors: Ausnviro, Commrity, Skyrise Electrical, TSA Riley, Minds at Play, Honeywell, Knight Frank

Sydney

Tower One Stair Challenge
Sunday 3 August

City2Surf
Sunday 10 August

RnB & Dance Party
Saturday 16 August

Bollywood Night
Saturday 6 September

Spring High Tea
Saturday 20 September

Greek Night
Friday 24 October

Melbourne

Run Melbourne 
Sunday 13 July

Trivia Night
Saturday 26 July

Giant Dinner
Saturday 9 August

Giant Steps Melbourne Ball
Saturday 30 August

SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

Get pumped for an epic adventure up Tower One! With 1000 giant steps, 40 floors, and 217 meters of height, it’s going to be another great climb!
Join us on Sunday, 3 August, and be part of this exciting challenge.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Register as a team, an individual or multi-climber. Run, walk or crawl – every step counts! 
Whether you’re aiming for fitness, charity, or just pure fun, we can’t wait to celebrate your victory at the top.
For more information click here.

A NIGHT IN PARIS

Join us for a black-tie Gala Ball along Melbourne’s shimmering riverbank on Saturday, August 30th.

Tickets: $280 per person or $2,800 for a table of 10. 

Venue: Zinc at Fed Square, Cnr Princes Walk & Russell St Ext, Melbourne.

To purchase tickets click here. 
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Louise Ward.

We look forward to sharing this memorable evening with you!

SUPPORT OUR WORK

Giant Steps Australia is a registered charity and donations are tax deductible.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

DONATE TO SYDNEY
OR
DONATE TO MELBOURNE

Newsletter December 2024

COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 2024

Supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum across Sydney and Melbourne.

GIANT STEPS IS EXPANDING

With your support and the support of Wentworth Capital, Giant Steps Australia is expanding. The purchase of 19A Wesley Street, Elanora Heights will ensure we can continue to help many children and young adults on the autism spectrum.

To support the expansion Wentworth Capital have created the investment initiative – The Giant Steps Social Note Trust.

FIND OUT MORE

OUR CHEEKY 'CAPTAIN OF CHAOS'

When George was 18 months, I knew there was something up, he didn’t respond to his name, wasn’t talking and wasn’t meeting any of the milestones I had come to know with our daughter Eadie who is 3 years older.

Whilst I had no idea what was in store for us, I did what any parent would do and sought medical advice. First up was a hearing test which always gets me when I think back. If you’ve experienced a newborn hearing test in the hospital, you may remember the brief two minutes when you sit there praying your child will pass, and if all else is well, go on to lead a normal healthy life.

Fast forward 18 months and as I’m sitting in the waiting room for George’s hearing test, I’m now praying he would fail, because I had doctor googled for weeks in the lead up to this appointment and knew that if his hearing was perfect, the prognosis was not hearing impaired, he was Autistic.

George passed his hearing test with flying colours, perfect hearing, and that’s when the journey really began.

George was diagnosed with Autism at 2 years old. After a mere 5 mins with his paediatrician, she told me George was Autistic and then I can’t remember much more after that. But thankfully she has a great secretary who sent me the notes on everything I needed to do next – early intervention was key.

At this stage we were still very naïve and didn’t even really understand what Autism was because anyone we knew that was Autistic was high functioning – like The Good Doctor TV series.

We thought if we could get George all the early intervention he needs, he would start to thrive, even catch up with all the other kids his age. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that my son may never talk, never say his name, never call me Mum, never live an independent life.

I couldn’t even say George was Autistic out loud without bursting into tears. I wouldn’t let people refer to George as Autistic and instead would say George has Autism – because I thought saying George was Autistic was labelling him and that was all he would ever be.

By the time George was 2 ½ years old, despite lots of therapy the wheels were starting to fall off. George was getting older and his inability to communicate and comprehend was leading to immense frustration that led to him acting out physically and coupled with all his additional sensory needs, meant that George was not suited to the mainstream daycare setting he attended, and so the onslaught of daily phone calls began.

His daycare didn’t want him there because they couldn’t handle him. They stopped his therapists going in because it was too disruptive to the neurotypical children when George was getting 1:1 therapy. We felt ridden with guilt every morning when we dropped him off, knowing we were sending our son into an environment where they didn’t want him and I’m sure if he could tell us, he didn’t want to be.

These were dark times and the realisation that George was not going to lead a normal life began to sink in. But amongst all this chaos and heartbreak – there was a silver lining!

When George was 3½ years old, we started looking at primary school options. I was googling schools for Autistic children when I came across Giant Steps. I distinctly remember watching a video on their Facebook page that started with ‘Living with Autism is Relentless’, and I knew we’d found our north star.

The video went on to say lots of amazing things about the individualised support they provided to Autistic kids but ‘relentless’ just connected – because I’d never heard anyone say that out loud, let alone have it as an opening line on the school video!

We know that being a parent to George is far easier than the life our Georgie is having to live. We’d trade places with him in a heartbeat if we could, but it was just so good to feel understood because some days no matter how hard we try as parents, it’s just – relentless!

When we toured Giant Steps, it was so apparent the staff knew the life we’d been living, if you arrive late because you have been up all night with your child, they get it.

If your child throws a tantrum because you don’t take them out of the car the same way you did yesterday, they get it.

If they physically lash out at the educators because they are frustrated they can’t communicate what they want, that’s ok, they get it.

If they refuse to eat anything but dry white food, they get it.

But more importantly, the love and devotion to education and development of life skills for Autistic kids shone through. Every teacher is there because they want to be there, and they love the kids and want to create a brighter future for them.

Once we found out Giant Steps had an Early Years program it was like we had just won the lottery, or more accurately, we had bought the ticket and hoped we had the winning numbers. George potentially wouldn’t have to wait until he was starting school to attend Giant Steps! But when we were called in for an observation and interview, George, true to form, really let them have it, giving the staff a good old pinch. I came home to Tony and said, “You won’t believe it, he gave the Head of Primary a good pinch, I don’t think that lottery ticket is going to come in”.

Then within weeks, we received a call from the Principal offering George a place.

It was another one of those moments where they just got it.

In February this year, George started in the Early Years Program 3 days a week and we have never been happier. The individualised programs Giant Steps offers are phenomenal. Not to mention the support they offer to the families, including a sibling’s group!

George’s progress since starting at Giant Steps is remarkable. He now uses visuals to comprehend and communicate. George can sit down and participate in group activities, independently use the toilet, has learnt to wait for his turn on swings, can walk around the block without sandbagging on the floor, and most heartwarming of all is seeing him engage more with his brother and sister in play.

George has even started to use a few core words with purpose and true to his character, ‘No’ is his favourite word!

But the best bit is how much George loves Giant Steps. When we show him the visual of Giant Steps he quickly gets ready and as soon as we turn onto the Gladesville bridge, he squeals with delight!

George is thriving and his cheeky personality is shining through. The future is looking up and we can’t wait till next year when George starts school full-time at Giant Steps.

Erin and Tony O’Neill

THE STUFF OF DREAMS

The day Maya was born was the happiest day of my life. I had big hopes and dreams and couldn’t wait to see what her future would hold. Maya was a very happy baby reaching all her milestones; she would happily play, loved Mini Maestros music class, was using her words and would eat every type of food except for yoghurt and lettuce.

Then everything started to change.

At around 18 months, Maya stopped eating the foods she once enjoyed, lost all her words and could only make animal noises. She stopped sleeping, appeared to be in her own world, would line objects up and couldn’t keep up with the other children at Mini Maestros class. I knew something was wrong. We saw our paediatrician, a speech therapist, a neurologist, had a hearing test and everyone said, ‘let’s wait and see’.

In February 2017, Maya was diagnosed with Autism.

I spent every waking moment reading up on Autism and the best treatment available. Just before Maya turned 2 and a half, she began ABA Therapy. At first there were improvements, but over time it became clear that Autism was a lifelong diagnosis and no matter how much intervention took place, Maya’s life would be considerably different to what I imagined.

Maya started primary school in a mainstream school in an Autism specific classroom. The idea of attending mainstream school was to have her included in everyday school activities, however it soon became clear that no adjustments were made to achieve this goal. If the students with autism couldn’t cope with an activity, they simply didn’t do that activity. Maya couldn’t attend school camps or regular excursions, and rather than experiencing inclusion, we experienced isolation. I knew it was time to look for another school.

After touring Giant Steps Melbourne in 2022, I was delighted to find a school that was the perfect fit for Maya and her needs, but disappointed to hear how long the wait list was. While I held out hope for a place to become available, I continued to call the school regularly for updates, probably driving Davina and Rachael crazy with my persistence.

During this time, things got worse for Maya. She had significant regression and her previous school couldn’t manage her, often calling me to collect her early, and letting her sit in the corner of the classroom on her iPad for hours. There was a period where they would only allow her to go to school for two hours per day and when the amount of time did increase, they would not let her start at the same time as other children. She was in crisis and experiencing behaviours of concern. Maya was no longer a happy child, she was miserable, and no longer smiled.

I remember getting a call from Rachael about the possibility of a position at Giant Steps for 2024. Maya was at her absolute worst; she was about to enter the Oasis inpatient unit, and I was worried this would exclude her from the school. While in Oasis, Davina (School Principal) was amazing, she would check in with me to see how Maya was going, often reassuring me even though we still didn’t have a place at Giant Steps. I remember crying after receiving one of her text messages because I couldn’t believe her kindness and how invested she was in Maya getting the help and support she needed. I knew Maya desperately needed to attend Giant Steps and that it would be life changing for both of us.

Fast forward and we have just completed our first year at Giant Steps. I am no longer receiving calls to collect Maya early or to discuss something she has done wrong. I no longer feel like I need to apologise for Maya’s behaviour. Instead, Maya drops her iPad at the office each morning and doesn’t spend any school time on her device. I love the photos that I receive of Maya participating in activities, all with a big smile on her face.

Maya loves going to school and some of her favourite activities include gymnastics, swimming and dancing. She has made friends, is accepted for exactly who she is, and we are both part of a wonderful community.

All the staff at Giant Steps are amazing. There are no words to describe these incredible humans. It is more than a job; it is an act of love and compassion. When your child goes to Giant Steps, not only is your child supported, but also your family. Maya’s teacher truly understands her and has worked extremely hard to make her feel comfortable, to make her feel accepted, and to help her with her challenges.

A highlight of the year was the Giant Steps Camp. Maya had never experienced camp and there was a time when I honestly didn’t think it would be an option for her ever. She doesn’t sleep well at night and needs to take medication. The staff were amazing in reassuring me and putting plans into place to ensure her needs would be met. Maya had the most fabulous time and now has a poster in her room with photos from camp that she looks at each day.

In a recent discussion with Maya’s psychiatrist and her wider professional support team, everyone commented on how Giant Steps has changed Maya’s life and has helped her in so many ways. I know the future will have its challenges, but I also feel hopeful and positive about the future for the first time in a long time. I know Maya will continue to grow, achieve and be happy with the support of the Giant Steps staff and community.

Tania Sgambellone

ECHOES OF LAUGHTER

After two decades in New York’s fast-paced fashion industry, designing for brands like Calvin Klein and Victoria’s Secret, Julia found her true calling with a paintbrush in Sydney.

Drawing from her experience of raising a son with autism, and utilising her recent art exhibition to raise money for Giant Steps, Julia shared a little of her story and inspiration in this Q&A.

“All mothers fall apart at the edges on occasion. I know I do.” – Julia Norton

Q: What led you to painting? And what did you do before?

A: I had a 20-year fashion career in NYC. After graduating with a degree in Fashion Design, I went on to design prints, swimwear, and lingerie for Calvin Klein, GapBody, J.Crew and Victoria’s Secret before moving to Sydney 13 years ago and doing the same for Speedo and Berlei. The years in fashion helped me develop an excellent sense of colour, and technical sketching of lingerie gave my landscapes depth and perspective.

Q: How did you start painting? Are you self-taught?

A: I have taken classes at Willoughby Arts Centre and done some National Art School short courses, but yes, I am self-taught. I have learned a lot just by following other artists and through my own experimentation.

Q: Would you say painting is your passion?

A: 100%! I get lost in painting. So much so, I have to set reminders to remember to pick up the kids from activities! It’s a cathartic process and it helps me deal with all other aspects of my life.
I’m a huge fan of Brené Brown who says that “unused creativity isn’t benign, it metastasises.” This became true each time I left my creative profession and was a stay-at-home mum. I felt depression creeping in doing little more than emptying the dishwasher and washing machine several times a day, and so I signed up for a painting class.

Q: You’re raising money for Giant Steps. Can you tell us a little bit about your association with the school? And why it means so much to you?

A: My eldest child Jack has gone to Giant Steps for almost 7 years. He will graduate from there next year. They have changed his and our lives for the better. The school simply sets the bar in Australia for autism services. Jack gets individualised 1:1 care from the moment he arrives. All Giant Steps parents fundraise and do as much for the school as possible as they do not charge fees. It helps create the most beautiful sense of community and support. I donate my paintings to several fundraising auctions each year.

Q: You have a unique artistic process. Tell us about how you create your paintings.

A: I begin by chaotically dripping, scribbling and scrubbing the paint before adding many layers to veil what’s underneath, as we can do in real life. This masking of inner truth is a shared feminine theme. So many of us are told to be a good girl and put on a happy face.

Q: Many of your artworks feature clouds. Can you tell us the significance of these in your work?

A: I’m just kind of obsessed with them. I stare at the sky all the time. Maybe it was from years of living in NYC where I could barely see the sky, but since I’ve moved here, I can’t stop looking up. I also love that the passing of clouds serves as a powerful metaphor for the transition of mothering from dependence to independence. The clouds represent the uncertainty and unpredictability of this transition; they shift and change, reflecting feelings of joy, nostalgia, fear, and hope that accompany this letting go.

Each cloud captures a moment of introspection, a memory suspended in the air, illustrating the duality of beauty and pain as children grow. This depicts the skyscape not as a “place” but a landscape of the soul. The result pulls the viewer in to reflect on their own experiences of love, separation, and the ever-changing seasons of life.

Julia’s exhibition ‘Echoes of Laughter’ was featured at Art Space on The Concourse.

Q&A kindly shared with the permission of Willoughby Living

INVESTING WITH IMPACT

Established in 2014, Future Generation Australia gives investors the opportunity to gain unprecedented access to a group of prominent Australian fund managers in a single investment vehicle while supporting Australian not-for-profit organisations focused on children and youth at risk.

As our cornerstone partner, we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Future Generation Australia for their invaluable support throughout 2024.

FUNDRAISERS

As the year ends, we recognise our incredible corporate sponsors, parents and friends whose contributions go such a long way towards making our fundraisers in Sydney and Melbourne a great success. Special thanks to everyone who supported our recent events including the Bike Ride, Regatta, Greek Night, Movie Night, High Tea, Yoga Fundraiser, Sailing Regatta, Trivia Night and Gingerbread House Fundraiser.

Greek Night – Sydney

Held on Friday 25 October, The Grand Roxy, Brighton Le Sands

Cornerstone Sponsor: ICG

Sydney

Sun Run

Saturday 1 February

Cole Classic

Sunday 2 February

Chinese New Year Banquet

Saturday 15 February

Black & White Gala Dinner – Lamrock Cafe

Friday 21 February

22nd Annual Golf Day

Thursday 27 March

Melbourne

The Giant Steps Breakfast

Thursday 13 March

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

Save the date for our Annual Gala Ball! We are proud of the support we have provided for children and adults on the autism spectrum and their families over the last three decades and look forward to celebrating with you.

Saturday 14th June 
International Convention Centre, 
Darling Harbour, Sydney

Visit our event site for more information. 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Everyone at Giant Steps Sydney and Giant Steps Melbourne, including our Board, staff, families, students, and adult participants, deeply appreciates your support. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a great summer. We look forward to seeing you in 2025!

SUPPORT OUR WORK

Giant Steps Australia is a registered charity and donations are tax deductible.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

DONATE TO SYDNEY
OR
DONATE TO MELBOURNE

Newsletter September 2024

COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 2024

Supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum across Sydney and Melbourne.

NEVER SAY NEVER

My son James was born in 2008. He was healthy and happy and was meeting all the normal milestones… he crawled and walked at the appropriate ages and loved playing with his brother Peter. He was even starting to talk, ‘hi, bye, yiaya, papou, daddy’. He never said mummy.

At around 14 months we noticed a change in James. He stopped looking at us, he didn’t recognise his own name anymore. He stopped playing and he stopped babbling. It was as if he was not even part of this world. The little boy we knew was no longer there.

James was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder 14 years ago at the age of 18 months old. His diagnosis broke me in a way that will never fully heal.

The doctor was very quick to tell us a whole lot of ‘never’ and ‘can’t’. James will never speak, never communicate, never get out of nappies. He can’t interact with other people. He can’t show affection. He can’t ever live on his own.

The reality started to sink in, and I spent a lot of time thinking about his future. What would it be like? A teenager and then a man who could not communicate. Would people be kind to him. Would they be patient with him, or be able to understand him and his needs? Would I ever hear him say ‘mummy’, or ‘I love you’?

What will happen to him when I’m gone?

I prayed and hoped. I bargained sometimes too, and I cried a lot. I was really scared for a long time. Some days I still am.

James is now 16. His diagnosis is still severe, level 3, limited language, but his diagnosis does not define him.

Today, James has a village caring for him. He is loved by more people than I ever thought possible. We are surrounded by an amazing support network which includes family, friends and most importantly, the wonderful staff at Giant Steps. James has been a student at Giant Steps for 11 years. He started in the Early Learning Program and is now in Secondary.

I’ve watched James develop at his own pace, and with every milestone there is a celebration, no matter how small. He now communicates in several ways – sometimes by pointing or grabbing something he wants, other times by saying one-word sentences.

Every morning James wakes up and comes into my bed. He greets me with a hug and kiss and lets me know what he wants to eat for dinner. Usually ‘burger’, ‘chips’, ‘KFC’ or ‘spaghetti’. He says ‘school, library, courtyard’, letting me know that he is going to school today and wants to visit the library and the courtyard – two of his favourite places.

When he comes home, he grabs his iPad, singing and laughing along with it. He’ll then take it over to his dad where they sing the songs together – usually Play Your Guitar with Murray. Together, they spend the next hour or so singing, dancing, giggling and watching Fox Classics.

He plays with his brother Peter, or should I say Peter teases him by rubbing his cheeks which James hates. James screams, Peter laughs, then James laughs and it all ends in a hug.

He’ll give you a high five and say ‘good job’ if you’ve done something right or that he likes. He says ‘excuse me’ if he burps or farts.

He will smother you in kisses and hugs and will happily blow raspberries on your tummy if you return the favour. He’ll ask to go to see his grandparents, or to go outside or for a swim. He goes shopping at Coles and puts the items into the basket, scans them and then pays by tap and go.

He’ll hold your hand when he walks. He squeals and flaps his hands when he’s excited or happy. He knows that a birthday is something special and he must blow out the candles, no matter whose birthday it is. He says, ‘I love you’ followed by ‘this much’.

We sing You Are My Sunshine every night before he goes to bed. He asks me how many kisses I will give him before he sleeps. He now calls me mummy.

All the things that James does now would not be possible without the support, help and drive of the teachers, educators and therapists at Giant Steps. There is no way that James would be where he is today without this amazing school. I truly believe that.

They are the ones who push him to communicate. They are the ones teaching him how to shower, giving him haircuts and pedicures. They are the ones who take him to Coles to shop and to the café to learn how to order and wait for food. They are the ones who have taken him away on camp, and to Nippers, and are teaching him how to ride a bike.

They are the ones who have never said ‘never’ or that James ‘can’t’.

Giant Steps never gives up and is always striving to achieve the best possible outcome for every child in their care. It’s not just a school, it really is a community – a family. James is learning more and more each year and for that I am forever grateful to Giant Steps.

Jo Mandatis

MASTERPIECE IN THE MAKING

We are thrilled to share that our new build is progressing exceptionally well. The walls have been built, and the installation of plasterboard is currently underway. Windows have also begun to be fitted, and it’s truly exciting to see our world class facilities coming to fruition right before our eyes.

While the construction team works diligently on the building, behind the scenes a dedicated team is refining the playground and landscape plans. As we move closer to the installation date, their efforts ensure that every detail is perfect for our community.

We are extremely grateful for the dedication and support of our community. Your generosity has enabled the project to reach this stage, and we couldn’t have done it without you!

Davina Bate

Principal, Giant Steps Melbourne

DEFINING THE FUTURE

Over the past 15 years, Adult Autism Services has experienced an overwhelming demand for our person-centred, community participation program. As we’ve expanded, we’ve focused on offering diverse experiences that cater to the individual needs of our participants. Ensuring best practice remains a core value, yet one of the ongoing challenges in the field of autism and disability research is the lack of focus on individuals with the most profound needs. Most research tends to focus on those who can actively participate, leaving out a significant portion of the population—our participants.

The recent World Conference on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) in Chicago acknowledged this research gap, yet also tried to address it with presentations focusing on profound intellectual and multiple disabilities and challenging behaviours. It was a privilege to attend and represent Giant Steps, along with Andrew Frakes, Dr Helen Appleton and Rachael Bowen. The current research affirmed Giant Steps’ model of practice – promoting a transdisciplinary, multifaceted approach, integrating therapy into programs and taking a holistic view of participants across all settings.

A key area of interest to Giant Steps and our Adult Autism Services Program was the research presented about the people supporting the participant, who are vital to their care. Our participants have level 3 autism and intellectual disability and require a support worker to anticipate each of their needs including hunger, thirst, choice-making and self-care activities. Research shows that the demands of supporting individuals with complex needs can lead to burnout, especially when workers lack adequate training, mentoring, and support.

Significant life events also dramatically impact the mental health of participants. These significant events could be the loss of a support worker and if someone experiences multiple significant events, it creates a trauma response leading to increased levels of anxiety and depression.

At Giant Steps we want to set our participants up for greater success and have already adopted active support training for staff to improve participant outcomes. Other important strategies include exposing our participants to a variety of support workers, encouraging them to build relationships, and using their own communication devices and tools to increase independence. By rotating support staff and focusing on skill development, we help participants become more adaptable and less dependent on a single individual for all their needs.

We also recognise the importance of creating a supportive environment for our staff. Research indicated that social strategies have proven to be among the most effective in addressing burnout. This includes fostering close team bonding and friendships, both in and out of work, and ensuring that our organisation actively supports the wellbeing of its staff.

As Giant Steps continues to strive for best practice in all that we do, the conference further challenged us to consider our role in advocating for our cohort and how we can best contribute to future research.

Semray Ali

National Director of Adult Autism Services

ALEXANDER'S JOURNEY

Discovering that we were expecting twins was one of the best moments of our lives. We were overjoyed, imagining our perfect little bundles of joy—two precious, beautiful babies. Alexander and Amelia were everything we had dreamed of. Watching them grow has been an incredible journey as they’ve blossomed into mini versions of us—mirroring our looks, personalities, and even our mannerisms. How lucky are we?

By the time Alexander was 18 months old, he was already showing remarkable abilities. He could repeat words, point to objects, count, and recite the alphabet. He even had a knack for spinning coasters on the floor—sometimes as many as six at once—and would try to spin pot lids too. We thought he was a genius, especially when comparing him to his sister, who wasn’t doing these things. But then, things began to change. He started waking up for hours in the middle of the night, stopped responding to his name, preferred to spend more time alone, and by the time he turned two, he went silent—as if he’d forgotten everything. We were lost, unsure of what was happening. Despite the Paediatrician’s reassurance to “give him time,” we knew something wasn’t right.

It was while watching a reality TV show that we got our first real clue. One of the cast members was tearfully describing her child’s autism diagnosis, listing all the symptoms, and suddenly it clicked—this was Alexander. The next morning, I dove into researching autism for the first time, realising we were about to enter a whole new world. With no prior experience or exposure to autism, we embarked on a challenging journey, educating ourselves and finding ways to support Alexander.

Just before his third birthday, Alexander was diagnosed with Severe Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay, and nonverbal status.

Like many parents, we sought the best therapies for Alexander, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and eventually a full-time centre-based ABA therapy program in Melbourne, which he attended for two years. We knew we had to provide the best for both our twins, though it was far from what we had imagined when we first became parents. Despite trying two different autism schools in Melbourne, we didn’t see much progress or improvement. I began to feel that I could achieve more with him at home. We could tell he wasn’t happy—he resisted getting dressed for school, didn’t want to get on the bus in the morning, and coming home, he couldn’t wait to get off the bus. Then, lockdown hit, giving us two years at home together. In many ways, it was a blessing to be with our children every day. Alexander had been in full-time therapy since he was 3, and both Nick and I worked full-time, so whilst having this time together was precious, it was also hard.

Throughout this journey, we’ve met so many amazing parents and built beautiful connections. One mum suggested we look into Giant Steps Melbourne (GSM), praising the school’s excellence. Although Kew was an hour’s drive from home, we decided it was worth a try and put our name on the waitlist. Amazingly, we were offered a place.

Now in our third year at Giant Steps Melbourne, Alexander is thriving. His first year was fantastic and every year since he has been happy and engaged. The team at GSM has shown us tremendous love, support, and guidance. They work with Alexander daily, teaching him social skills, supporting his communication needs with his AAC device, and providing opportunities for adventure club, school camp, and peer interactions. The feedback from his teachers has been positive.

Alexander has an excellent memory and sense of direction. He thrives on routine, likes visiting the same places, and keeps his room impeccably tidy. Change, loud voices, and new environments are challenging for him, but since joining GSM, he has made progress in these areas. The school has helped him work through trigger words like ‘wait’, ‘stop’, ‘no’, and ‘loud’, which previously led to meltdowns or self-harm. The transformation has been life-changing for us. GSM is not only helping Alexander improve his communication and comprehension skills, but they’re also nurturing his ability to engage in social interactions and form meaningful relationships with his peers. They’ve provided strategies to manage his anger and frustration, improving his self-regulation skills so he can better cope with overwhelming emotions.

We feel incredibly fortunate to have found such a wonderful school and a team that genuinely cares for Alexander. Giant Steps offers unparalleled love, care, and support, creating individualised educational programs tailored to each student. They are setting the standard for what special schools in Australia should be. This school has been a lifesaver.

Alexander and Amelia are now 13 years old and are flourishing in their own ways. They both love their iPads, each for different reasons, enjoy playing the piano in their own way and share a love for holidaying, walks, bike rides, and long drives. They have similar tastes in music, and both have a sweet, caring nature.

Despite the challenges, there are so many beautiful moments to cherish. Sometimes, we don’t realise just how different our family life is from the norm – you simply keep going. Knowing that we have the Giant Steps team and other families on this journey with us makes it all just a little bit easier.

Diana and Nick Josevski

FUNDRAISERS

We would like to acknowledge our wonderful parents, supporters and corporate sponsors, whose dedication to running and attending fundraising events across Sydney and Melbourne ensures the continuity of our services. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who rallied the brains trust for Trivia, climbed the stairs at Tower One, ran the City2Surf, spent an Afternoon on the Greens, came together for Brunch, embraced Bollywood Night and attended our recent Luncheon. 

Sydney

Giant Steps at the Movies – Ezra

Wednesday 16 October

Greek Night

Friday 25 October

High Tea

Saturday 2 November

Trivia Night – Danebank

Friday 8 November

Sailing Regatta

Friday 15 November

18th Annual Bike Ride

Friday 22 – Sunday 24 November

Gingerbread House Decorating

Saturday 7 December

Melbourne

Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival

Sunday 13 October

Scarecrow Festival

Sunday 27 October

Yoga Fundraiser

Sunday 10 November

18th Annual Bike Ride

Friday 22 – Sunday 24 November

Giant Steps Luncheon – Sydney

Held on Thursday 26 September 2024, Amora Hotel Jamison

Gold Sponsor: Pitcher Partners

Silver Sponsors: Aon, Ironbark

Support Our Work

Giant Steps Australia is a registered charity and donations are tax deductible.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

DONATE TO SYDNEY
OR
DONATE TO MELBOURNE

Newsletter June 2024

COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER

JUNE 2024

Supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum across Sydney and Melbourne.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN

In life, it is always important to reflect on moments that matter – moments of achievement, moments of challenge, moments of joy and sadness and moments of vulnerability.

At Giant Steps we always remember that it’s our knowledge and understanding of autism, as well as our care and support, that we share with our students, post-school program participants and their families.

Giant Steps continues to grow, our waiting list is long, and we want to help as many families as we can.

Giant Steps recognises the importance of individualised education and therapy programs. Our highly trained teachers, music, speech and occupational therapists, psychologists and educators work with our students and families to design and implement programs that recognise the learning style of each student. We simultaneously create opportunities for the children to learn and develop skills that will see them as active participants in family and community life, reaching their potential, enjoying the wonderful moments and overcoming the challenges that life inevitably brings.

We believe in “finding a way” and this is made possible with the help of our many friends and supporters.
On behalf of our students, post-school participants and their families, we thank you with all our hearts for your care and support.

Barry Irvin AM

MAKE A DONATION THIS TAX TIME

Giant Steps does not charge fees.

Since its inception, Giant Steps has relied on parents to fundraise to cover the gap between operating expenses and government funding.

If you can, please consider making a tax deductible donation before June 30 to support the unique and specialised services Giant Steps provides. Your support will help autistic children and adults learn to communicate and live as independently as possible. 

We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our community.

CLICK TO DONATE

MEET OUR MELBOURNE CREW

Meet the students, educators and families that ignite our spirit.

C'MON SYDNEY - WE DARE YOU!

ARE YOU READY TO TAKE ON TOWER ONE?

1000 ‘giant’ steps, 40 floors and 217 metres of vertical height! We can’t wait to welcome you back to the beautiful harbour foreshore at Barangaroo for this year’s Tower One Stair Challenge.

Whether you’re in it for the challenge, the charity, the fitness or the fun, we’re looking forward to seeing you at the top! On Sunday 4 August, we’re set to climb Tower One and we’d love you to join us.

REGISTER NOW

A LIFELINE FOR CHLOE

Chloe, our sassy, bright, funny teenage daughter, along with my husband and I, were given a lifeline the day we received a call offering us a place at Giant Steps Melbourne. It took several months to share our good fortune with anyone else as we were in shock and disbelief that we could be so lucky.

Chloe, our first and only child was unexpectedly critically ill at birth and not expected to survive. We were told she was incompatible with life. We were totally devastated. After six weeks of intensive life-saving interventions, we took Chloe home dazed and exhausted, not knowing what her future held.

Doctors had no answers. We were told to take her home, love her, and start early intervention. Our world crashed around us again when at the age of 18 months, Chloe received a devastating diagnosis of a globally unique genetic anomaly that likely underpins a range of very serious and rare medical conditions, as well as intellectual and physical disabilities. To this day, as science progresses, genetics keeps us informed of any findings that might be relevant to our gorgeous girl. Chloe has endured countless code 1 ambulance trips, surgeries, invasive interventions, and will always need intensive medical support.

Despite all of this, Chloe has never complained. She is a super big personality, loves Starfish Nippers every summer, swims like a mermaid, adores her ‘fur-brother’ Otto the dog, has the memory of an elephant, loves to dance up a storm to pop music, enjoys playing with Barbies, and has a passion for food—the list goes on. She stares down horrendous challenges and is incredibly resilient, while also being loving and wickedly funny.

As Chloe nears the end of her second term at Giant Steps, we still can’t believe we have been given this opportunity. Giant Steps is an environment where all children can thrive by being valued, included, supported, and genuinely celebrated in all their diversity.

Giant Steps is our fourth and hopefully last educational setting. We had known about Giant Steps for several years, but understanding the wait list was extensive, we didn’t dare to dream we would ever be considered! It took a very dear associate to help us get the ball rolling—I lacked the courage for any more rejection or hardship—and I knew just how special Giant Steps was and that no other option compared. I was even prepared to home school Chloe if I had to as the daily calls to collect her from previous schools, the attempts to ‘manage her out’, the regression, the isolation for Chloe and our family… well… we were broken. When Davina, Giant Steps Melbourne Principal, said to us, “She is one of ours,” we felt quite literally saved! Seen, safe, and supported.

We have been rescued from ongoing isolation and trauma by this amazing school.

There is inspired leadership, incredible staff, and a passionate community all aiming to deliver the best outcomes for our children. Chloe loves going to school, she is learning to manage herself in different scenarios and her confidence is visible from the moon. She is growing in all areas of development. As Davina has often reminded me, not every day will be “rainbows and unicorns”; there are still difficult days. But the difficult days are filled with brilliant, professional, caring staff who are there to support all of us through the good times and bad.

Like so many in this situation, we seek happiness for our children, and we have found happiness at Giant Steps.

Juliette Permezel and Cameron Abbott

FUNDRAISERS

We would like to acknowledge our wonderful corporate sponsors whose contributions have greatly contributed to the success of this year’s major fundraisers in Sydney and Melbourne.

With special thanks to The Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem Knights of Malta for once again directing their selfless and extraordinary fundraising efforts towards helping Giant Steps. 

Sydney

Tower One Stair Challenge

Sunday 4 August

City2Surf 2024

Sunday 11 August

Brunch by the Greens

Friday 16 August

Afternoon on the Greens

Saturday 7 September

Bollywood Night

Saturday 14 September

Business Luncheon

Thursday 26 September

Melbourne

Trivia Night

Saturday 20 July

Run Melbourne

Sunday 21 July

Luminous Gala – Sydney
Held on Saturday 15 June, ICC, Darling Harbour

Gold Sponsors: Chalouhi, Mayo Hardware, Quay Services, Ryobi

Silver Sponsors: Addisons, Aera, AIPX, Australian Vintage, Bear Plumbing, Bega, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers, Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Harris Page & Associates, ICC, Glassbreakers, Macquarie Bank, Noumi, Rabobank, Team Global Express, Tribeca Car Rentals, Tumbleturn Marketing Advisory 

Giant Steps Social – Melbourne
Held on Saturday 1 June, Glasshouse

Event Supporters: Gary Peer, Harry the hirer, Ortolan, Sirap, The Big Group

Corporate Supporters: Ausfine Foods, Bega, CAR Group, Kidder Williams, McCorkell Constructions, Probiotec Limited, Seek

May Day Charity Luncheon – Melbourne
Held on Friday 24 May, RACV Club

Platinum Sponsor: Activam Group

Gold Sponsors: CVS Lane Capital Partners, Day Break Wealth, MVA Bennett, Realm Investment House, Trade For Good.

Australia 108 Stair Challenge – Melbourne
Held on Sunday 28 April, Australia 108, Southbank

Sponsors: Australia 108, ArcStructural, ASKIN Performance Panels, Form 700, KONE, Multiplex, Symal

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY

Take a few minutes to find out why your help is so important to us.

Support Our Work

Giant Steps Australia is a registered charity and donations are tax deductible.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

DONATE TO SYDNEY
OR
DONATE TO MELBOURNE

Newsletter April 2024

COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER

APRIL 2024

Supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum across Sydney and Melbourne.

1700 STAIRS - WE DARE YOU!

On Sunday 28 April, Melbourne’s iconic Australia 108 skyscraper will welcome hundreds of people set to climb 1700 stairs as part of the Australia 108 Stair Challenge. Every step will help support Giant Steps Melbourne. 

The climb is open to anyone aged 8 and above, including all fitness levels; run, walk, or crawl your way to the top! This is an awesome physical challenge, rewarded by an incredible 360-degree view of Melbourne from the 96th floor.

By participating in the climb, you’ll be helping Giant Steps Melbourne provide crucial support to autistic individuals and their families. Whether you’re just starting out on your fitness journey, a seasoned athlete looking for a new challenge, in search of a great family friendly activity, or someone committed to making a difference in the community, this event is for you.

96 levels, 1700 stairs, 317 metres of vertical height – we dare you! 

Sign up now to participate in Australia’s biggest stair climb!

TRANSFORMING MENTAL HEALTH

10 years ago, we wanted to find a better way to support the mental health and quality of life of our autistic students and adult participants. We opened the Rob Llewellyn Jones Clinical Centre and added a psychiatrist, developmental paediatrician and later a consultant paediatric neurologist to our onsite transdisciplinary team.

Understanding the possible mental health, medical and neurological issues driving challenging behaviour and disengagement from learning has been the primary focus of the onsite clinic. Identifying patterns and tracking students using individualised data collection that can show changes over time has been a key feature for staff and the clinic team to consider both acute and long-term changes for students and participants.

The doctors can visit students and participants in the classroom or playground, removing the need to attend hospitals and clinics. Parents can also attend appointments without juggling the needs of their child in the room at the same time, allowing them to concentrate on the discussion.

During COVID the clinic pivoted to include online meetings, allowing for more extensive case conferences involving families, support teams and residential supports, as well as NDIS supports.

In 2018, the clinic program was extended to include Giant Steps Melbourne, with a visiting branch of the Sydney clinic travelling to Victoria twice a term.

The evolution of the clinic has helped countless students, participants and families at Giant Steps and continues to drive our understanding and ability to support those who need us most. Many thanks to our consultant doctor’s past and present, and the generous donors who have made this once pilot program a permanent and essential service at Giant Steps.

WHEN LIFE THROWS CURVEBALLS...

At just 21 months it became clear that there was something more than autism going on for Luca given his motor delays and slow progress with physiotherapy. We all went through genetic testing and waited almost a year to find out the results! I will never forget the day we had the follow-up appointment with the genetics counsellor.

We were told that our little boy had been unlucky and experienced a random mutation at conception, resulting in a disease called ‘KCNQ2’ – a cause of severe intellectual disability. I was devastated! We were told that KCNQ2 was usually associated with significant seizures, mobility, incontinence and feeding issues. Around 20-30% of people with KCNQ2 are also autistic. Luca has needed hundreds of hours of intense physiotherapy to learn to walk on top of early intervention, including speech and occupational therapy.

Given the rarity of Luca’s disease we do not know what lies ahead for him, but we do know what he needs in the form of supporting him with his autistic needs and Giant Steps do an incredible job in this! From the beginning, one of my biggest fears was schooling. When Luca was in kinder, I visited a special development school. I found this experience to be deeply disturbing and knew it was not the educational experience I wanted to have for my child. Shortly afterwards, I arranged to visit Giant Steps and was blown away by the difference. Students were known, appreciated, and happy!

Now, almost 3 years later, Luca is one of the happy students in his first year at Giant Steps. The relief and gratitude I feel for the school is tremendous! Staff understand autism and celebrate every student. They prepare and plan for changes, sensory regulation needs, and individualise each student’s goals.

When I reflect on the early dreams I had for Luca, I can see that some have already come true. He is happy and carefree, loved, cheeky and playful! Luca, who also has ADHD, is our energiser bunny! Although some adventures are not possible for us, Giant Steps has given us one truly valuable thing, hope. Thanks to our positive experiences, the dark and terrifying worries of the future are fewer and fainter than before. Seeing the smiling faces of the older students and young adults of Giant Steps progress through school makes things seem more hopeful for Luca.

This month, our family is climbing 96 floors (1700 steps) to raise funds for Giant Steps Melbourne as part of team “Leg it for Luca!” The Stair Challenge is a symbol of optimism for us as a family, where we persevere and keep going through the difficult times, and move onwards and upwards, until we reach the top!

Danuta Gill

SIBLING CONNECTION

Navigating life as part of an Autism family brings a unique set of challenges, especially for siblings. Sharing this with other siblings who know what you’re going through, is incredibly important. Rachel’s twin brother, Daniel, attends Giant Steps and Rachel really looks forward to Siblings Group.

This is Dan’s third year attending Giant Steps and the difference it has made for Dan and his whole family is amazing. As much as Dan loves coming to school, Rachel feels the same about Siblings Group: “I absolutely love siblings’ day; I look forward to it every time. The activities are always fun, and I like the people who lead the whole thing.”

Siblings Group was first launched in 2006 by Helen Appleton, National Director of Student and Psychological Services, who has a sibling on the autism spectrum and didn’t receive any support or understanding from peers while growing up. Helen wanted to create a safe place for siblings to enjoy time with other peers who understood their home environment and to have the opportunity for difficult conversations.

Fast-forward 18 years and Siblings Group is still thriving thanks to the many staff who have carried the baton across the years. The aim of the program is to support siblings of Giant Steps’ students to feel a sense of belonging, a sense of identity, to share their experiences and feelings and to make connections with peers. Each group is encouraged to discuss emotions, to talk about how we can understand autism for ourselves and how we can explain it to others. There is also a lot of fun!

Being part of the wider Giant Steps community has many benefits for siblings including reducing isolation, increasing social connections, and supporting long term relationships with their brothers and sisters.

Siblings Group is now led by Sarah Robertshaw, Family Support Coordinator, with input from Jake Bollard, a former Siblings Group member.

OUR BUILD IS UNDERWAY

It’s hard hats, steel toe capped boots and high vis jackets all round at Giant Steps Melbourne.
We’re no longer talking about our hopes and aspirations for our new school, we’re up close and watching as the site begins construction. This phase is both thrilling and challenging for all involved.

In the last few weeks students and staff have watched in awe from our upstairs windows as the arborists skilfully swung from trees and landed limbs, cranes lifted and carefully placed site offices and diggers scrapped the site just the other side of our fence.

The collaboration with McCorkell as builders and Fontic as the Project and Development Team fosters a positive approach to problem-solving. Delicately balancing project momentum with the needs of the school community, every challenge is met with creative thinking to minimise impact on students and school operations.

Utilising local community spaces including Kew Primary School, demonstrates a proactive and shared approach. It not only addresses the limitations with onsite play space but also strengthens connections with the surrounding community.
As the construction progresses, it will be exciting to see how our new school and adult service takes shape and contributes to the growth and development of Giant Steps Melbourne.

FUNDRAISERS

We would like to acknowledge our wonderful corporate sponsors whose contributions go such a long way towards the record-breaking results of fundraising events held this year. Thank you to our parent body for hosting such a diverse and outstanding range of events including the Chinese New Year Banquet, Giant Lunch, 21st Annual Golf Day, ‘Come Together’ Australian Hair event and Fashion Soiree. Check out our Golf Day Video here. 

Chinese New Year Banquet – Sydney

Held on Saturday 2 March 2024, Sky Phoenix

Major Sponsor: Raiz Invest

21st Annual Golf Day – Sydney

Held on Thursday 14 March 2024, Bonnie Doon Golf Club

Diamond Sponsor: Australian Stockbrokers Foundation

Platinum Sponsors: PM Electric, Sydney Shoulder Research Institute, Buildline Constructions

Gold Sponsors: Affective Building Services, AI Topper, Alert Fire Protection, Bass Floor Company, BMG Air Conditioning, Classic Backyards, FlameSafe Fire Protection, Fugen Construction, Henry & Hymas, Horticultural Services Australia, J.A. Roofing, Metal Projects, Ogalo Kensington, Reece Onsite NSW, Bank of Queensland, Precision Fire Protection Services, Frango Charcoal Chicken

Sydney

Luminous Gala

Saturday 15 June

Tower One Stair Challenge

Sunday 4 August

Melbourne

Australia 108 Stair Challenge

Sunday 28 April

May Day Charity Lunch

Friday 24 May

Giant Steps Social

Saturday 1 June 2024

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR WORK

All donations are tax deductible, please consider supporting Giant Steps. Every dollar makes a tremendous difference to the lives of autistic children and adults. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

DONATE TO SYDNEY
OR
DONATE TO MELBOURNE

Newsletter December 2023

COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER  | DECEMBER 2023

Supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum
across Sydney and Melbourne.

Newsletter December 2023

JACK & LUKA’S UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE

Jack is a sensitive and caring 5-year-old boy. He has boundless energy from the moment he wakes up, always on the go. He loves swimming and riding his scooter fast and prefers to dress up rather than wear regular clothes.

When Jack was a baby, I noticed some unique patterns. He would cover his ears and scream if I pushed his pram into a shopping mall. He would be awake multiple hours each night, he was fascinated with fans and spinning wheels. He would have the biggest tantrum if something wasn’t exactly as he expected and cry himself to an exhausted sleep. I would later find out this was an autistic meltdown.

When Jack turned 2, his brother Luka was born, and it was then that I really started to notice a significant increase in autism specific behaviours, including no communication. I went to get an assessment and my concerns were confirmed.

Jack was forced out of his daycare because parents were worried his behaviour would impact their children. On top of the sadness my husband and I were feeling watching our son suffer in a world that didn’t understand him, we also felt deep rejection and made a resolution to find our family a place of belonging.

At this stage, Luka was not a concern developmentally. However, the chances of him also being on the spectrum were high. I kept my focus sharp and braced myself.

We left Singapore and returned home to Australia. Jack turned 3 during our hotel quarantine, it was one of the hardest times my family endured. Jack regressed significantly and overnight stopped eating and had severe behavioural challenges like we had never experienced before. It took unwavering determination and a steady upward climb to start again. Jack started receiving therapy and intervention support, but the few weekly hours were not helping him make any progress.

Fortunately, I was able to meet and talk with some remarkable mums. Each had a similar story to us and a couple of them had children attending Giant Steps. The school seemed like a magical place, I needed no convincing and set about making enquiries.

Fast forward to the year Jack started at Giant Steps – within 6 months he was able to say 1-2 words, he could ask for things. Jack was beginning to understand how to use a visual schedule to see what his day would consist of, and he was learning how to expand his social and play skills. Most importantly, he loved going to Giant Steps and we finally felt part of a community that was committed to understanding and helping him.

As we watched Luka grow, the signs were different to Jack’s early signs, but it was clear I was now the very proud mum of two neurodivergent sons. It’s funny when it happened the second time around, I was more informed and much better equipped to assist Luka. He started necessary therapies before his 2nd birthday.

Since starting at Giant Steps, Jack has developed and is showing beautiful potential – his life is forever changed. We will always feel gratitude and appreciation for how Giant Steps has not only helped Jack, us as parents, but also Luka, who will start in the Early Years Program in 2024.

Miracles do happen and luck is based on personal perspectives. I feel very, very lucky to have both my sons get the best possible start. The belonging our family feels now is insurmountable.

Kathy Krnel

Newsletter December 2023

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ALONA

Some days, Alona is cheerful before school. Other days there’s high-pitched screaming. Sometimes she’ll get out of the car very quickly, if she hasn’t just fallen asleep as we reach the gate. Some mornings it takes a while to get her moving, with a balanced measure of cajoling and patience required from her teachers who greet her at the car.

Some days, I know that Alona is in a cheerful and compliant mood. Other days I sense from the moment she wakes that it is going to be a more difficult day at school, probably one filled with high-pitched screaming and plenty of time outside the classroom. But no matter what Alona’s mood is on any given day, I know that the staff at Giant Steps Melbourne are equipped for the task and will manage whatever behaviour comes their way. They will do so with humour, love and passion for their job.

Alona began her schooling journey at a beautiful mainstream school. As the extent of her special needs became more apparent, Alona’s mainstream school was committed to making it work for us. We are truly grateful for this. However, as time went on, it was clear that Alona was not in the right place for her to reach her full potential.

Alona cannot read, and she cannot write. She is 16, but she has the learning capacity of a young primary school child. To suggest that she should sit in a mainstream classroom with her age group is not to have met a child like my daughter.

Alona is witty, friendly, extremely sociable, and loveable. She is the class clown at Giant Steps, and she knows every word to all Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber songs. Her teachers use these skills to teach her literacy and maths. She also loves Collingwood Football Club, and her teachers use this passion to motivate her to stay in the classroom. Alona is also partial to a chai latte and one of her education goals is to maintain her ability to sit at a cafe to help her stay connected to the community. Her teachers take my daughter on the tram, teach her how to tap her myki and send me photos of her feeling very proud of herself.

If Alona had continued in a mainstream school, she would always have been the student that cannot complete the tasks set by the teacher. She would be disruptive, frustrated and angry. Realistically, she couldn’t even sit in the classroom at all.

At Giant Steps, Alona has six children in her class, with multiple educators assisting them. She has a program tailored to her, with her teachers maintaining data on whether she is engaged or not. Her educators know her instinctively and intuitively, and constantly readjust their goals and expectations.

Keren Zelwer

FGX Tile Michael (Small)

INVESTING WITH IMPACT

Future Generation Australia is Giant Steps’ largest recurrent corporate donor. Their key focus is to support charities in Australia that operate in the youth-at-risk sector. It is a Listed Investment Company (listed on ASX with a ticker code FGX) with a unique business model. It invests with best-in-class Australian equity fund managers who manage the capital on behalf of FGX shareholders pro-bono. In return, FGX donates 1% of its Net Tangible Assets each year to selected charities, Giant Steps among them. What’s more, FGX shareholders can select which of the charities on the FGX platform they direct their donations.

FGX has been one of the longest supporters of Giant Steps, with founder, Geoff Wilson, having a good understanding of challenges experienced by autistic children and young adults. This year we received $434,949 making the total amount received from FGX since 2015 as donations $2,728,685. Giant Steps receives one of the biggest annual donation allocations because several of FGX shareholders are either Giant Steps families or Giant Steps supporters.

Investing in FGX shares is a way to support Giant Steps whilst receiving fully franked dividends. However, like all equity investments, shareholders take the risk that the share price will fall. For example, in February 2020 when COVID caused share markets to crash, FGX share price fell sharply before recovering gradually over the next year or two and then declining over the next couple of years as interest rates rose sharply and events such as the war in Ukraine have suppressed markets.

Newsletter December 2023
Want to learn more about how Future Generation make it possible to invest with impact:

View a 2-minute video about Future Generation

Visit the Future Generation website

You might also like to watch a webinar recording with Giant Steps parent, Steve Anthony, and one of the FGX fund managers, David Paradice, being interviewed by FGX CEO, Caroline Gurney.

Disclaimer
These comments are provided to you for information only about an important Giant Steps supporter. Giant Steps cannot provide financial advice. You should consult a financial adviser to learn if buying FGX shares would be a suitable long-term investment for you.
Newsletter December 2023

GIANT STEPS ALUMNI – ALEX’S STORY

In 2013, Alex began his journey at Giant Steps at the age of 4. He moved through the different classes until we were given a gentle nudge in 2017 and it was suggested that it was time for Alex to transition to a different setting to accommodate his needs.

Simply put, Giant Steps changed Alex and our lives. When Alex arrived at Giant Steps he had a number of sensory issues, very time rigid, routines-based and any slight adjustment would result in a meltdown. He had limited speech, struggled to wear anything but very soft t-shirts and soft shorts or anything with a tag (still does) and his diet was limited to one brand of hot chips and plain dry toast.

The teachers, the school and the other families at Giant Steps became our lifeline and slowly but surely, helped Alex experience, grow and start to adapt. We felt so secure at Giant Steps because Alex was understood, celebrated, loved, safe and happy.

Stepping out into other environments was challenging, even terrifying, because nowhere compares with Giant Steps and their support and understanding of our kids.

Alex transitioned into MUSEC for year 4 and we realised we needed to quickly find a high school option that would suit his needs and abilities. It was daunting and disappointing to see the lack of options for kids like Alex; academically capable but still very limited with social skills and the ability to regulate emotions.

We were fortunate to find a program where Alex could start in year 5 and move between a supported classroom and mainstream classes, all the way through till the completion of high school. Alex is currently in year 9 at Hills Grammar and having a pretty good year.

Alex continues to grow and along the way has developed some amazing skills, particularly his ability to play the piano and sing. To our great surprise he auditioned and participated in the school musical earlier this year which involved weeks of after-school rehearsals and four evening performances. On opening night, Alex exclaimed “this was the best night of my life”.

Alex is an avid shopper, loving to sift through shelf after shelf of DVD’s and VHS at op shops all over Sydney. He is a huge collector of DVD’s and VHS – all arranged in alphabetical order and he can recite any fact about them!

It is fair to say, we continue to have good and bad days, and funny days – like when he sent an email to the whole year group rescheduling the school assembly! He has grown from a little boy who was so repetitive and restricted in what he did, to the young man he is now; where he enthusiastically volunteers to be a part of almost everything at school.

Giant Steps was the turning point in Alex’s life and to this day we can still reach out and ask for help when things are challenging. Thank you to all the staff, families and supporters for all you do, Giant Steps will always hold a special place in our heart.

Julie-Ann and Dom Biasi

FUNDRAISERS

As the year draws to a close, we would like to acknowledge our wonderful corporate sponsors, parents and friends whose contributions go such a long way towards making our fundraisers in Sydney and Melbourne a success. Special thanks to everyone who supported the recent 3 Day Bike Ride in Gippsland, our annual Greek Night, High Tea, Hopes, Wishes and Dreams Ball, Giant Dinner, Scarecrow Festival, Gingerbread House Kits and the gutsy individuals taking on physical challenges to raise money for Giant Steps.

Newsletter December 2023

Sydney

Chinese New Year Banquet

Saturday 2 March

21st Annual Golf Day

Thursday 14 March

Drag Bingo

Saturday 4 May

Luminous Gala

Saturday 15 June

Newsletter December 2023

Melbourne

Sled Push Fundraiser

Saturday 9 December

Giant Dinner

Saturday 24 February

Australia 108 Stair Challenge

Sunday 28 April

May Day Lunch

Friday 24 May

Giant Steps Social

Saturday 1 June

Newsletter December 2023

LUMINOUS GALA – SAVE THE DATE!

We’re excited to announce our biggest fundraising event of the year is taking place on Saturday 15 June at the ICC, Darling Harbour, Sydney.

Save the date for our Luminous Gala Ball. Sponsorship packages and tickets available in the new year.

Newsletter December 2023

2023 MELBOURNE IMPACT REPORT

Celebrate the successes of our children and young adults, the little wins that become huge milestones for us all and the overwhelming support of our community.

The 2023 Giant Steps Melbourne Impact Report is available to view and download here.

Newsletter December 2023

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

From everyone at Giant Steps Sydney and Giant Steps Melbourne; our amazing students and adult participants, creative staff, inspiring parents and dedicated Board members, we want to wish you a happy holiday season.

Have a great summer, we look forward to seeing you in 2024!

SUPPORT OUR WORK

Giant Steps Australia is a registered charity and donations are tax deductible.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

DONATE NOW to SYDNEY or
DONATE NOW to MELBOURNE

SUPPORT OUR WORK

To make a tax deductible donation and support our work please click here.

Newsletter September 2023

COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER  | SEPTEMBER 2023

Supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum
across Sydney and Melbourne.

Chatswood_RachaelBowen_VoteforMe_NAME (002)

HELP US WIN $20,000!

It is with great delight we announce that Rachael Bowen, National Director of Speech Therapy, is a finalist in this year’s Westfield Chatswood Local Heroes Program. Your vote from across Australia can help Giant Steps win $20,000!

Rachael’s work over the last 17 years has had a profound impact on hundreds of individuals on the autism spectrum and their families across Sydney and Melbourne.

Please help us win by voting for Rachael before Monday 11 September.

VOTE FOR RACHAEL BOWEN
Newsletter September 2023

A COMMUNITY LIKE NO OTHER

We moved from our home country in Malaysia and called Australia our new home 8 years ago. Newly arrived in a foreign country with two small children, little did we know what was ahead of us.

Aiden was our second child, and we knew things were not quite right from the beginning. He wasn’t speaking, there were no proper words, no calling for mummy or daddy and no eye contact. Aiden seemed happy to be in his own little world.

At 3 years old, Aiden was officially diagnosed with autism and global development delay. We received this diagnosis with mixed emotions as after researching and googling ‘non-verbal’ the thing that kept popping up most frequently was autism. Although we were somewhat expecting the diagnosis, it was also accompanied by many other feelings, especially worry for the future.

Aiden was able to start speech therapy and the therapist told us about a wonderful school that was doing amazing things for some of their other clients – a school called Giant Steps. Arriving for a visit, I remember vividly that we were greeted not by one person but by a whole team of amazing staff. I was astonished by the dedication and support that each and every person in this school provided to ensure a safe and wonderful space for autistic children to strive and learn in the best way they could.

We are so grateful to live in Australia and be a part of Giant Steps, a place where Aiden can be himself, be safe and reach milestones that may seem small to others but are so big to us. In recent times, Aiden has been able to progress with toileting and has started to use utensils – to us, these are astonishing achievements. We have no family or support network here, but the support we receive from Giant Steps is simply incredible. There is always someone to talk to about the challenges we are facing and there is always help.

Aiden is still non-verbal and requires substantial support in all aspects of his life. Emotional challenges and being safe in the community are two things that really worry us, as does the thought of long-term support for Aiden when we as parents can’t look after him. With the help and encouragement Aiden and our family receive from Giant Steps, we have so many more dreams for Aiden to keep achieving new milestones.

Family life can be very challenging in so many areas and one of the hardest things is managing sibling expectations. It is really hard to find the right balance and give the same support to each child when one has special needs and requires so much more help. It meant a lot to us this year, that we could participate in the Tower One Stair Challenge together as a family. I had previously volunteered at this event but never climbed the stairs myself. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought but I was still amazed by the people who ran up multiple times. It was great to be a part of the community and we were proud the whole family made it to the top.

We have been at Giant Steps for just over 4 years now and Aiden is always looking forward to school with a big smile on his face. We know, as he heads off each day, he is going to a safe and happy place.

Joan Chew

Newsletter September 2023

PARTNERS IN PARRAdise

In 2016, Giant Steps embarked on a partnership with the Parramatta Eels, providing a cadetship for under 21 players seeking full-time employment. The idea was to provide an opportunity for young players to learn about working in the disability field, an area that’s not typically sought out by this demographic. 8 years later, the partnership has gone from strength to strength with a number of players achieving their dreams to play professional rugby league.

This includes Reed Mahoney, Ray Stone, Oregon Kaufusi, Stefano Utoikamanu, Sean Keppie and Dean Matterson, who are playing for Parramatta and other clubs. Players have certainly developed their skills as part of this program and there are also those who have found their calling at Giant Steps and in the wider disability sector, going on to develop their skills and careers off the field.

It’s important to have a balance in the workforce and these young, fit athletes bring a different approach to supporting students. There is a great sense of fun, playfulness, as well as sporting skills in the mix and as a result, many students, families and staff are now Parramatta Eels fans!

As a charity partner, Giant Steps is also very appreciative of the support we receive from the Club with fundraising, autism awareness, opportunities for students and their families to attend games, and the introduction to new supporters. Recently, the Parramatta Eels connected us with Taubmans, one of their official sponsors. After learning about the work we do here at Giant Steps, Taubmans organised a huge community project – setting out to paint 7 spaces across school and adult services that were in desperate need of some TLC. The wonderful team from Taubmans collaborated with Parramatta Eels players, staff and volunteers to complete the project. Check out the final result in this short video.

Idit and Rachael (Small)

BREAKFAST WITH A TWIST

This week’s Breakfast Fundraiser, hosted by parents Idit Teperman and Rachael Gorski, focused on sharing a deeper understanding of life with a child on the autism spectrum.

Mia Wald recounted what it’s like to have a sibling escape from home and go missing for hours or worry about seizures and anxiety that impact and limit family life, how as a sibling it’s the accumulation of small things you constantly miss out on.

Yet through this same lens, Mia also spoke about the hope she now has for her brother’s life. The small and big wins she feels really proud of, managing self-care tasks, participating in work experience and playing basketball with friends like any other 18-year-old. This is all possible with the intensive support of Giant Steps Melbourne, the unwavering kindness and expertise of the staff and the focus on independence to help her brother try things she never thought he could manage.

Across the morning, a panel of parents, siblings, and carers all shared personally about the sacrifice and challenges autism brings. Thank you to everyone who told a small part of their story and to all the guests who embraced the unique, positive impact Giant Steps Melbourne continues to have on our students, adult participants and families.

FUNDRAISERS

Thank you to everyone who has generously supported our recent fundraising events across Sydney and Melbourne. Scaling the stairs to the top of Tower One, nailing epic running courses, recalling random trivia facts, getting lost in Barbie Land, cheering on boxers and gathering for Brunch and Breakfast. Special thanks to One International Towers for supporting our stair challenge event once again.

Newsletter September 2023

Sydney

Sydney Marathon

Sunday 17 September

Rotary Trivia Night

Saturday 23 September

Greek Night

Friday 27 October

High Tea

Saturday 4 November

17th Annual Bike Ride

Fri 17 – Sat 18 November

Newsletter September 2023

Melbourne

Scarecrow Festival

Sat 21 – Sun 22 October

17th Annual Bike Ride

Fri 17 – Sat 18 November

SUPPORT OUR WORK

Giant Steps Australia is a registered charity and donations are tax deductible.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

DONATE NOW to SYDNEY or
DONATE NOW to MELBOURNE

SUPPORT OUR WORK

To make a tax deductible donation and support our work please click here.