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Relationships cover image

Relationships

If the past year has taught us anything, it would be how important our relationships are. Good relationships are vital in our lives. We need people to share our happiest moments with, and people who will support us when things aren’t going so great. For the April issue of Voice…

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Featured stories from the current issue

  • More than just a friendship thumbnail.
    More than just a friendship

    Being friends is the most important thing in a romantic relationship. And when you’ve been friends for over two decades, there’s a good chance you’ve chosen the right person.

  • Soul sisters thumbnail.
    Soul sisters

    When you’re the adult sibling of someone with Down syndrome, the lens you view your relationship through can shift focus as you both get older. Lucy Bain reflects on the changing nature of her relationship with her sister Emily, and…

  • Supporting siblings thumbnail.
    Supporting siblings

    Siblings provide our longest lasting relationships of any. These relationships can be close and supportive, they sometimes can include tension and worry, and of course they can change over time. When your sibling has a diagnosis of Down syndrome, there…

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So awesome to have our ambassador Valentine Holmes meet the team from Down Syndrome Queensland and the Townsville community this week to talk all things footy 😃 Everyone had an absolute ball!

So awesome to have our ambassador Valentine Holmes meet the team from Down Syndrome Queensland and the Townsville community this week to talk all things footy 😃Everyone had an absolute ball! ... See MoreSee Less

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Comment on Facebook 390525084378985_3777939262304200

Should be changed to up syndrome!

“It needs to be very clear that the needs of people with Down syndrome and autism are different than people with just Down syndrome or just autism. They need different supports. These differences are not always captured by the questions asked in an assessment. You need to look at how these issues interact and how to support people holistically. It has to be seen as a separate thing but also something that has a multiplier impact. The supports you do early on have an impact on how independent the person can be in the future.” Recently, parents of children with both Down syndrome and autism shared their experiences with us for a submission to the NDIA on their consultation about support for people with autism. Research suggests that people with Down syndrome are more likely to have autism compared to other people in the community. DSA argues that the NDIA needs to consider the additional support required for people who have autism and other co-occuring disabilities. We are concerned about the proposal around fixed funding bands and the use of independent assessments. Read our submission here: https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021-NDIA-Autism-Final_PDF.pdf

“It needs to be very clear that the needs of people with Down syndrome and autism are different than people with just Down syndrome or just autism. They need different supports. These differences are not always captured by the questions asked in an assessment. You need to look at how these issues interact and how to support people holistically. It has to be seen as a separate thing but also something that has a multiplier impact. The supports you do early on have an impact on how independent the person can be in the future.” Recently, parents of children with both Down syndrome and autism shared their experiences with us for a submission to the NDIA on their consultation about support for people with autism. Research suggests that people with Down syndrome are more likely to have autism compared to other people in the community. DSA argues that the NDIA needs to consider the additional support required for people who have autism and other co-occuring disabilities. We are concerned about the proposal around fixed funding bands and the use of independent assessments. Read our submission here: https://downsyndrome.org.au/wp-content/uploads/… ... See MoreSee Less

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Comment on Facebook “It needs to be ...

Thank you for this.

💯

Completely agree 100%. My son has Down Syndrome and level 1 autism and his needs are very complex. No one generalised band of support or funding can suit everyone.