You can get in touch with local support services via:

• Your NDIS local area coordinator or NDIS Early Childhood Partner
• Your local child and family health care centre
• Your family GP
• Your local council, and
• My Time, a free government-supported service for parents of children with disabilities.

Government resources

• The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• NSW Government disability services
• The Australian Government Disability Gateway
• Caring for children with a disability

Supported playgroups

Lead by early childhood facilitators, supported playgroups are parent or carer and child get-togethers aimed at building your child’s confidence and helping them develop social skills.

These are some of the playgroups designed for children with disability or additional needs. You may also be referred to other playgroups in your local area.

• Playconnect Playgroups - Playconnect is a playgroup program for children on the autism spectrum or with developmental delays and their families, with over 40 locations across Australia
• My Time Local Groups - MyTime is an organisation for parents and carers of children with a disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition. It has local groups which meet regularly.

You can also use the Playgroup NSW website to search for different kinds of playgroups across the state, including playgroups dedicated to children with disability or additional needs.

General disability and carers support organisations

You may find the following organisations can give you support, depending on you and your child’s needs:

• Carers Australia
• Children with Disability Australia
• All Means All - Australian Alliance for Inclusive Education
• Family Advocacy
• People with Disability Australia’s Wayfinder Hub
• Re-imagine Australia

Organisations for specific disabilities

These are some of the organisations set up to help support people with specific disabilities.

• Vision Australia
• Deaf Children Australia
• Cerebral Palsy Alliance
• Down Syndrome NSW
• Autism Spectrum Australia
• Autism Awareness Australia
• Spinal Cord Injuries Australia
• Rare Voices Australia