Side by Side Conversations *

Welcome to Side by Side's growing library of conversations, videos and articles, where Bron and Maggie talk about the most frequently asked questions by our Side by Side families.

For information about how you can join our community, go to the Side by Side project page.

Our Community

Welcome to Side by Side

Family Camps

Bron and Maggie chat to Kristie about her experience at the Side by Side family camps. Kristie and her son Jye have attended 3 family camps over the last 3 years. Kristie shares what it is like for herself and Jye to attend the family camps.

Highlights from our latest family camp at Serpentine

Mandurah boat cruise December 2023

Some of the Side by Side families spent a morning on the Mandurah estuary, having a boat cruise to celebrate International Day of People with Disabilities. It’s really exciting to see the families get together socially

Parent carer training weekend video October 2022

Parent Training September 2023

Side by Side mums got together for a training weekend in Warnbro. We had a windy, wet weekend but that didn’t stop us from having a fantastic time indoors. We spent time discussing and brainstorming concerns and ideas around challenging behaviour that we experienced in our families. We talked about how we can support ourselves and find ways to self regulate when things are tough. It was a great weekend of support, information and connection. A highlight was a sound healing session which was very therapeutic .Feedback from one of the mums- “Thank you for the fantastic experience I had. It was out of this world. That soundwave therapy (sound healing) was fantastic. I have never experienced anything like it.” For information about these training weekends or to join the Side by Side community - contact Bron and Maggie at DDWA.

Parent carer training weekend, December 2022

Side by Side mums got together for some training over the weekend 2-4 December 2022. The parent training weekend was held in Warnbro. One of the highlights was a group discussion with behaviour support practitioner Bridget Scott from Microboards Australia.

Side by Side Family Camp November 2022

Mandurah Dolphin Cruise

The Side by Side families had a great time on the water in Mandurah - here are some photos of the day.

Side by Side Family Camp

Here are some photos of a fun-packed weekend where families from our Side by Side group got together to share experiences and support each other.  Hosted by Maggie and Bron from Side by Side. (November 2021)

March 2022 parent training weekend

 

Side by Side Podcast | Video Chats

NDIS Where do I start?

Maggie talks about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and how to get ready for a planning meeting and understand the funding sections of a NDIS plan.

Podcast about support workers

Bron and Maggie have a conversation about support workers - what is challenging and what is helpful.

Podcast with Fabian

Fabian is one of our Side-by-Side Dads. He is passionate about sharing his journey as a parent to his son Kody who is Autistic and has complex communication needs.

Podcast about inclusive education and a lifetime of opportunities

Bron and Maggie talk to Beth about her daughter's experience of inclusive education in a state school and then life after school. Beth is a great advocate for inclusion and giving things a go! Beth also works at Developmental Disability WA.

Podcast with Cat about advocating in the hospital

Bron and Maggie talk to Cat about her experience with her son in the hospital system. Cat talks about some useful strategies you can use to help advocate for your loved one.

Podcast about Jamie transitioning to a new home (2026)

Maggie and Bron discuss the steps it has taken to transition Jamie to his new home. You will get some ideas about supported independent living options, transition plans and support staff.

Update about Jamie Moving Out

Bron and Maggie talk about what is happening in the latest developments of Jamie moving out of home.

Podcast Plumtree Pictability

Maggie talks about Plumtree Services and their Pictability tool which helps families to create a vision and goals for the child, the family and yourself. If you are interested in learning more about Plumtree Services, please visit their website.

http://www.plumtree.org.au

Podcast with Adam from Carers WA

Bron and Maggie speak with Carers WA counsellor Adam about self compassion. Adam talks about his experience as a counsellor and how people get stuck in “survival mode’. Adam talks about being self-compassionate and shares some of his ideas about why people find self-care so difficult.

Jamie Moving Out

Bron and Maggie talk about having a vision for moving out of home.

Podcast about life after school

Maggie and Bron talk to Leticia about her experiences as a parent of a young woman with disabilities who has finished school. What does life look like now? How do you prepare for life after school? Leticia is also an advocate at Developmental Disability WA.

NDIS and Behaviour Support Webinar

Replay of DDWA webinar about challenging behaviour and accessing behaviour support in the NDIS. Hosted by Maggie and Bron from Side by Side.

Podcast about Communication

Bron and Maggie have a conversation with Laura Jones about communication and some of the myths that people encounter when thinking about alternative communication.

 

Podcast with Max about Education

Bron and Maggie have a conversation with Max about education. Max is an individual advocate at DDWA and has extensive experience with advocacy in the schooling system.

Podcast with Jaqui about Microboards

Bron and Maggie talk with Jaquie Mills from Microboards Australia about being intentional with creating networks, considering both informal and formal supports, and relevant training.  This is about planning for the future for your loved one with the culture of the social model of disability. They talk about person centered planning and how to start a Microboard. If you want further information about Microboards Australia, then click here: Microboards Australia – My life to the max – choice control friends

Podcast about guardianship

Bron and Maggie talk to Maxine Drake, a disability advocate from DDWA about Guardianship. What is Guardianship and do we need to have it?

Podcast with Lud Allen

Maggie and Bron talk to Lud Allen, a sexologist from South Australia, about sexuality and some upcoming consultation sessions in 2023.

Aemy chats to us about her son's communication method

Bron and Maggie have a conversation with Aemy about communication. Jayelan is Aemy's son and he uses a letterboard to communicate. Aemy talks about their journey and how it has led Jayelan to starting his own micro-enterprise business. Aemy is happy to talk to others wanting further information about this. The Ted Talk mentioned in the podcast is called The Power of Finding Your Voice - Parisa Khosravi.

Ted talk link (The Power of Finding Your Voice) is found on YouTube

https://youtu.be/n-AE1ClEZEA?si=6TS_ZIiCed-2F0hs

 

Top Tips with Tarna

One of our Side by Side mums, Tarna, talks about friendships, self care and being true to yourself.

Dental Surgery

Maggie and Bron discuss dental issues and what happened when Jamie had to get his wisdom teeth removed.

Side by Side Podcast: Series One

Episode 1. A Sibling's Perspective

Maggie talks to Hannah about being a sibling to someone with challenging behaviour.

Episode 2. A Dad's Perspective

Maggie talks to Gavin about being a Dad to someone with challenging behaviour.

Episode 3. Sexuality

Maggie talks about sexuality.

Episode 4. Behaviour Support

Maggie talks about behaviour support.

Episode 5. Supported Decision Making

Maggie talks with Hannah about supported decision making and creating a network of supporters.

COVID-19

Antigen Saliva Test (Lollipop Test)

Maggie talks about using the lollypop test.

COVID Vaccine

Maggie shares her experience getting Jamie vaccinated.

Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)

Maggie talks about her experience doing a RAT.

Oral Rapid Antigen Rapid

Maggie talks about using the oral test (not nasal).

Mask Exemptions

Maggie talks about mask exemptions for people with disability.

COVID Vacinations At Home

Here is some information about Covid vaccinations at home or booking in to the sensory clinics. Booking can be made by phone: 13 COVID (1326843) or by submitting a booking form.

Diagnosis, now what?

Health | Safety

Non Contact Thermometers and Chewable Panadol

Sleep

Incident Reports

NDIS | Supports

Tips for Review Time

Maggie shares some tips for review time - your support worker can give an overview on the supports they provided

What can I get with my NDIS funding?

Nominees for NDIS, Centrelink and Medicare

Young Carers Program

Centrelink

Support Workers | Supporters

Support Workers

Maggie’s shares some tips on finding support workers, your expectations, advertising and training.

Behaviour | Communication

Resisting supports or services

Maggie shares some tips on what to do if your loved one resists receiving supports or services.

Using Visual Supports

Laura from the DDWA team talks about how to use visual supports in an empowering way.

Photo Cards / Proof of Age

Maggie talks about how to get a photo card for your loved one with disability.

All About Me Books

Maggie talks about using 'All about me' books and how they can be used to support people to know and understand your child.

 

Sexuality | Relationships

Sexuality

Maggie talks about some helpful resources and organisations that support issues around sexuality.

FAQ's | Articles

What about my Child’s Mental Health

By DDWA Team | June 14, 2022
Children and adults with developmental disabilities are at least two to three more times likely to have mental health issues as their neurotypical peers. As parents we need to think about the mental health of our children. There are a…

How do I let my child’s teacher know about their interests and stressors?

By DDWA Team | May 11, 2022
All about me – books One idea is to create an All About Me book with or for your child and share this with your child’s teacher. An All About Me book should include all the most important, relevant information…

Behaviour Support Plans, Management Plans & Supports

By DDWA Team | May 11, 2022
What is the difference between a Behaviour Support Plan and an Individual Education Plan? A behaviour support plan is written by a behaviour practitioner and is to be implemented across all settings, including home and other environments. A behaviour support…

Maggie talks about Nominees

By DDWA Team | January 19, 2022
Click on the link below to listen to the recording or follow along with the transcript.

How can families provide training to support workers?

By DDWA Team | January 13, 2022
There are many different ways to provide training on how to support your family member with challenging behaviours. The most important thing is to ensure the supporter gets to know the person really well and the person feels safe with…

What if I don’t have a behaviour support plan or funding, but I need help to support behaviour and aggression at home and school?

By DDWA Team | January 13, 2022
Even if you do not have funding for behaviour support there are lots of options to help you. DDWA You can access peer support through the DDWA peer support program called Side by Side. Side by Side also has a…

How do I find a behaviour support practitioner?

By DDWA Team | January 13, 2022
Support Suggestions Here are a few suggestions about how you can find a behaviour support practitioner that is right for you and your family. You can ask other parents for suggestions from their own experiences with behaviour support providers. You…

What is behaviour support & Why do we need it?

By DDWA Team | January 13, 2022
Behaviour support is a way of thinking through why someone behaves in ways that may be seen as challenging. Usually, this relates back to unmet needs that the person has. Behaviour support is about focussing on the environment and the…

What is challenging behaviour?

By DDWA Team | January 11, 2022
Challenging behaviour also known as behaviours which challenge, is defined as: culturally abnormal behaviour(s) of such intensity, frequency or duration that the physical safety of the person or others is placed in serious jeopardy, or behaviour which is likely to seriously limit or deny access…