COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2026
Supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum across Sydney and Melbourne.
MEET OUR AMBASSADOR JAMES MAYO
Some people don’t just support a cause, they throw their heart and soul behind it. James Mayo is one of those people.
James’ generosity, passion, energy and unwavering commitment to Giant Steps have been nothing short of exceptional. He continually goes above and beyond, driven by a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of every family in our community. We are incredibly grateful for everything James does and so proud to have him as a Giant Steps Ambassador.
THE MAGIC OF MAX
Our son Max (more affectionately known as Maxi) came into our world twelve years ago and what a journey those twelve years have been! Max has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, a severe intellectual disability, ADHD & anxiety.
Our journey with Maxi has not been easy. It has stretched us, broken us open, and rebuilt us to be stronger parents. It has taught us patience beyond measure and love without condition – there is nothing we wouldn’t do for our Maxi.
Max is non-verbal, however he is never without a voice. He speaks in forehead kisses, giggles and a cheeky sideways glance before launching into something he knows he shouldn’t be doing.
He is very affectionate, loving, sweet and wonderfully cheeky. A sensory seeker through and through. He is drawn to water like it’s part of his soul, the ocean calls him, swimming pools light him up, and the beach, bush walks, and being in nature are where he is most regulated, happy and calm.
Giant Steps has embraced Maxi for exactly who he is. They don’t try to change him or fit him into a mould. They meet him where he is at, and from there, they help him grow. They see him, beyond the diagnoses, and beyond limitations.
The programs they offer fill Max’s cup in ways we once wondered were ever possible. He is so deeply loved by the staff, and they always have the most beautiful things to say about him. They notice his affectionateness, his cheeky side and determination.
Through Giant Steps, Max has made connections with other children. Real friendships. The kind that extends beyond the classroom into weekends, into respite, into shared experiences that build belonging. Watching him sit beside another child, comfortable and content in shared space, is something we once only dreamed of.
There is no other place like Giant Steps. It is more than just a school; it is a place where Max is understood and safe every day. We are so grateful that Maxi has found his place where he fits and where he is nurtured in the way only Giant Steps can.
Siobhan & Brad Jarvis
FINDING COMMUNITY
Like all first-time parents, before our beautiful Owen was born, we wondered about the kind of boy he might become one day. His dad Jamie and I both strongly felt that whatever his interests and abilities, we would support and encourage him no matter what.
Owen seemed to hit his milestones much like any baby. It was at around 18 months when we started to notice some differences. He wasn’t babbling much and hadn’t said any words. But a speech delay wasn’t a major concern, we were reassured. The other early signs weren’t obvious to us, especially during the early days of COVID. His delays, primarily in communication and social interaction, could be explained by the isolation of lockdowns.
By age two he had just said his first word, “turtle”. We knew we needed help, but with the log jam of demand for appointments following lockdowns, speech therapy was very hard to come by, often going months in between appointments.
Owen was nearly three when he started kinder and the gap between him and his peers became clearer. He struggled with group time, had little interest in other children, avoided eye contact and touch, and needed significant support with everyday routines.
By the time Owen was four, we finally got his assessment results: autism level 3. At this point we were fully expecting the diagnosis, but the fact that he was impacted significantly enough to warrant a level 3 diagnosis was a bit of a shock to us. But really, that was a gift – to know that he needed very substantial support helped guide our actions.
Owen was old enough to start school in 2025, but we knew he wasn’t ready for a mainstream setting. We began researching other options and toured Giant Steps in February. What stood out immediately was the depth of care and support for every student. During our tour, Davina, School Principal, stopped to help an educator support a student who was struggling to transition into the classroom. Seeing student safety and wellbeing prioritised by the school’s leadership said a lot.
After the tour, I went back to work and I couldn’t stop crying. Seeing the kind of support available for Owen was an enormous relief, but it was also confronting to fully appreciate that he absolutely needed a school like Giant Steps.
When we joined Giant Steps, we were told it was more than a school, it was a community. At first, I didn’t fully appreciate what that meant. Jamie and I were so used to carrying so much ourselves. But Giant Steps has become a place where Owen’s teachers, educators and allied health team share that load with us. More than that, they truly love him and celebrate every small win, sitting on the toilet, transitioning into the school building without needing a video, touching a new food.
It has been life-changing to find a community that not only helps Owen learn and grow but also shares our values for him: a place that works hard to make sure he feels loved, safe, and validated for exactly who he is.
Katherine Breen
WHY THE EARLY YEARS MATTER
Bek and her 3 year old son, Christian, joined our Playsteps program in February.
“When I first started Playsteps, I was at the very beginning of my journey as the parent of a child with autism and I was quite overwhelmed. What I’ve loved about Playsteps is that I’ve met other parents who are now friends and I’ve learnt so many useful strategies I can implement in our day-to-day lives.”
At Giant Steps, our Early Years programs provide welcoming and supportive environments where young children can learn, play and grow, while their families are supported along the way. We help children develop skills, confidence and independence, building foundations for the transition to school. Our team of specialist teachers, speech, occupational and music therapists work collaboratively to understand each child’s learning strengths.
A typical day might include outdoor play, music, small group activities, stories, creative experiences and everyday routines such as mealtimes and activities of daily living.
Our team also works alongside families and, where appropriate, within children’s homes, early childhood settings and the broader community. This helps children practise and build skills within the environments and routines that are part of their everyday lives, while supporting families to feel more confident in supporting their child’s development and participation.
For younger children and their families, our Playsteps program offers an introduction to learning and playing alongside other children.
Playsteps is a supported playgroup for children aged 2 to 4 years and their parents or primary caregivers. Each week, children and families come together with a transdisciplinary team for a morning of play, music, movement and shared group experiences.
There is time for children to explore, play and join group activities, additionally, there is time for parents and caregivers to connect, share experiences and learn from one another. For some families, Playsteps may be their first experience of a group setting. For others, it becomes a place to connect with families who may be navigating a similar journey.
For Bek, the support has extended beyond simply meeting other families. The Playsteps team has also helped her better understand her child and find practical strategies that fit naturally into everyday life.
“It has been such an amazing experience to be able to share advice and knowledge about the joys and struggles of raising neurodivergent children and to create a safe little community between us.
The Playsteps team have created a peaceful space for the children where they aren’t bound by pressure but instead are gently encouraged to engage in play-based learning at their own pace.
They have also helped me understand different elements of autism and how an autistic brain processes things differently.”
If you are interested in learning more about our Early Years services, please get in touch.
MORE THAN A COLOUR RUN
For Giant Steps parent Victoria, the idea behind the Colour Run was simple: to create a fundraising event that wasn’t just about raising money for Giant Steps but was designed to be for and about the students.
“My son Jimmy has been at Giant Steps since 2017 and his transformation has been remarkable. He’s become so much more expressive and it’s been incredible to see him build real friendships with his peers. Joining such a close-knit community has meant we’ve found our people and because my son’s world depends on the life-changing support Giant Steps provides, I, along with so many other parents, try to be involved with multiple fundraising events.
But the Colour Run is different, it’s the only event that doesn’t require significant adult participation and is designed for our kids – the stars of Giant Steps. It gives them the opportunity to have fun and celebrate together in an environment that is designed around their needs and interests.”
Jimmy’s siblings had experienced similar events at their schools, and seeing those opportunities made his Mum determined to create something that Jimmy and his peers could enjoy too, in a familiar environment, surrounded by the people who know and support him best.
Bringing the idea to life required the help of other parents and friends, along with the generous support of BCG Group Australia who came on board to sponsor the event. The day featured a bubble zone, slime zone, jump zone, foam zone and quiet zone.
More than 100 children were given the opportunity to take part in their own way, in their safe place, surrounded by people they trust. Staff who had initially wondered how the day would unfold watched as the children embraced the experience and had a brilliant time.
For a community that works incredibly hard throughout the year to raise funds for Giant Steps, the Colour Run offers something particularly special. It gives the children themselves a chance to be at the heart of the experience.
This year, the goal is to make the day even bigger and more inclusive, giving students more time to enjoy each activity and encouraging greater participation from families and the wider Giant Steps community.
At its core, the Colour Run is about something every child deserves. The opportunity to join in, have fun and experience the same special moments as their siblings and peers.
FUNDRAISERS
Our community continues to go above and beyond to support Giant Steps in Sydney and Melbourne. From the rigours of the Tower One Stair Challenge and City2Surf to the glamour of the Melbourne Ball, Bollywood, the Together Dinner and Trivia Night, the incredible variety and success of our fundraising events reflects the generosity of so many.
A huge thank you to our sponsors, participants, volunteers and supporters who help bring these events to life.
Giant Steps Melbourne Ball
Held on Saturday 8 August, Centrepiece at Melbourne Park
Platinum Sponsor: Eclipse
Gold Sponsors: Kidder Williams, TABCorp
Silver Sponsors: Bega Group, Westpac, Adapt Wealth Management, Linfox, Codex, Asta, Capgemini, Bell Potter
Sydney
Afternoon on the Greens
Saturday 19 September
Spring High Tea
Saturday 26 September
Rotary Club of Eastwood-Gladesville Trivia Night
Saturday 10 October
Dental CPD Evening For a Cause
Thursday 15 October
STRYDE4 Corporate Challenge Sydney
Thursday 22 October
Bondi to Manly Ultra
Saturday 24 October
Colour Run
Friday 6 November
20th Annual Bike Ride
Friday 13 November – Sunday 15 November
Giant Dinner Sunset on the Rooftop
Sunday 15 November
Melbourne
Yoga Fundraiser
Sunday 11 October
Nike Melbourne Marathon
Sunday 11 October
STRYDE4 Corporate Challenge
Thursday 15 October
High Tea Melbourne
Friday 13 November
20th Annual Bike Ride
Friday 13 November – Sunday 15 November
Support Our Work
None of what we do is possible without your help. Giant Steps Australia is a registered charity and donations are tax deductible.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT