Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Rainbow Land Play Time Family Support Group

For all your latest information on Rainbow Land Play Time, a Family Support Group with a playgroup and kid's club (social skills group), go to: Rainbow Land Play Time Blog 

Rainbow Land Play Time is held at the Greenwith Community Centre, Greenwith, South Australia. The premises are proudly provided by the City of Tea Tree Gully as part of their Neighbourhood Development Program. Much appreciation and gratitude goes to the City of Tea Tree Gully, especially their Neighbourhood Development and Home and Community Care Teams for their ongoing support.


Friday, October 16, 2009

Rainbow Day Sponsorship


We are looking for Corporate Sponsorships to support the future work of Rainbowland Autism Services.  As a Rainbowland corporate sponsor, you will receive a number of wonderful benefits.
Autism Rainbow Day - Global Awarness Campaign is just that..... it is global.  We already have more than 5,000 members on our Facebook Cause and anticipate we will reach at least 10,000 members by May 2010.
Here's your chance to get National and International exposure while supporting a  very important and worthwhile cause.

WHY SUPPORT RAINBOWLAND AUTISM SERVICES?

Rainbowland Autism Services (RAS) prides itself on being an up and coming modern organisation supporting families living with autism from all corners of the globe. In addition to all the support provided via the internet, RAS is committed to facilitating an ongoing global autism awareness campaign. Each year during the month of April, RAS will be running its Autism Rainbow Day campaign to continue to increase community awareness about autism.  The goal is to each year increase the number of countries participating in Autism Rainbow Day.

All the work that RAS undertakes comes from a deep passion to improve serious issues for families such as the need for more of and affordable therapy and the issue of social inclusion. Not many people realise how isolating having a child with autism can be simply because society is not groomed to accept, nor cater for the complexities that is autism.

Sadly, the new prevalence rates for autism are frightening.  Although countries like Australia have an official rate of around 1 in 160 children as having autism, new studies around the world suggest the 'REAL' figure is more like 1 in 100 or even 1 in 60.  What is even more frightening is that the prevalence rate for  boys is said to be approx 1 in 38. Autism Rates Rocket – 1 in 38 British Boys – Cambridge Study (link). It is hard to believe that in 1987, the global prevalencee rate for autism was more like 1 in 10,000.


With the founders of RAS having three children on the autism spectrum, they really understand what it is that families need to feel supported and what important issues they need to advocate for such as education, which has become a social crisis. 

In March 2009, the Dix family founded Rainbow Land Play Time, a family support group with a playgroup and kid's club. There has already been nearly 25 families utilise this free group. In addition, some very strong, supportive, and lasting friendships have already been formed between the parents and the children.  What is unique about this group is that it is held on a weekend so the whole family can attend, including all the siblings, both parents and any support networks the families might like to bring along.  The group loves to celebrate milestones achieved by the children in a very positive and supportive way.  It is also an ongoing group in that families come along when it is suitable for them and don't leave the group unless they want to. For more information about Rainbow Land Play Time, have a look at the group's blog at: RLPT Blog
At present, RAS is not provided with any funding at a State or Federal level and is proud of the fact that so much has already been achieved without this level of financial security. Rainbow Land Play Time is given vital financial support through small donations and local community grants, particularly from the City of Tea Tree Gully.  The group is able to provide much better quality services due to these kind donations.

You can find videos on Rainbowland Autism Serices' YouTube Channel at: Rainbowland Autism Services YouTube Channel 

For all sponsorship enquiries, please email:
 rainbowlandautismservices@gmail.com with the Subject Heading: 'Sponsorship'