The Family Voices Podcast ECIA VIC/TAS

In this episode, Melo shares his story about parental agency as he talks with our host, Simone Dudley. Melo stresses never to underestimate the importance of a parent’s influence on their child’s development, as experienced with his own daughter.
Listen to Melo as he defines hope as having a goal, believing you can make a difference, and having a pathway to follow. This as well as the benefit that comes from peers sharing their stories truly highlights that parents are a rich resource for one another, for their lived experience incorporates deeper meaning to any message they deliver, and it was this that helped guide Melo back into the driver’s seat. This led Melo to realise – if you believe it to be possible, you begin to see possibilities.
Learn more about the Envisage program mentioned in the episode >>
Download transcript here >>
www.eciavic.org.au
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In this episode Ciara talks with our host, Simone Dudley, about the importance of building knowledge and finding your voice. Ciara describes how gaining an understanding of best practice empowered her and her husband to find and advocate for the right supports for their son. This, alongside firsthand experience, led them to establish a peer support group for parents and carers of children on the spectrum. Ciara reminds us that with the right information and supports parents and carers are better equipped to make decisions that lead to better outcomes for them and their children. 
Download transcript here >>
www.eciavic.org.au
In an effort to continually improve, we are asking our community for feedback on the podcast via this short survey. Please share your thoughts with us :)

In this episode our host Simone Dudley, talks with Kara about her family and work.  Kara is a mum and researcher from Cincinnati, who studies parenting with disabilities. Kara and her husband are both disabled parents of three children with and without disabilities. Listen to Kara as she shares insights into how her family creates a culture that celebrates disability and how she advocates and builds support for people with disabilities through inclusive practices.
Download transcript here >>
www.eciavic.org.au
In an effort to continually improve, we are asking our community for feedback on the podcast via this short survey. Please share your thoughts with us :)

In this episode, we hear from Falak, a mother, wife and research and evaluation manager at Rare Voices Australia (RVA). Falak talks with our host, Simone Dudley about her children, two of whom have rare diseases and how her lived experience has deepened her professional role at RVA.
In this conversation, Falak helps to remind us of the importance of trusting our instincts as we continually build our capacity. She also describes the power of gratitude and how giving back to communities that supported her and her family, created a sense of belonging and purpose.
Download transcript here >>
www.rarevoices.org.au
www.heartkids.org.au
www.eciavic.org.au

In this episode, our host Simone Dudley talks with Cassie (Emily’s mum) about her experience with early supports and pioneering the NDIS. Cassie talks about the need for professionals to recognise the strengths of children and work from these when developing goals with the family.
Goals for Cassie and her family needed to reflect the values they held strong for Emily. These included having the same opportunities and experiences that Emily’s siblings had, and being and belonging in her everyday life and community.
These align so well with the principles of family-centred and strengths-based practice, and inclusive approaches as outlined in the National Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Guidelines. Cassie provides great insights for families who are starting their journey and for professionals to learn from.
Download transcript here >>
www.eciavic.org.au

In this episode we are joined again by Leanne (Angus’s mum). This time, Leanne talks with our host Simone Dudley about her personal story of being identified 10 years after her son as autistic and ADHD. Leanne describes how the process of being identified has really helped with understanding herself and with the way she supports her son.
Download the transcript here >>
www.eciavic.org.au