I CAN ONLINE
We offer Autistic-led online group mentoring programs for 8 – 22-year-old Autistic people. Our program builds confidence and social connection in a safe, positive environment. Autistic young people are able to be themselves, share their interests and common experiences with peers and benefit from I CAN Mentors as role models. With over 350 participants each cycle we are proving our program is effective. *All I CAN Mentors and staff have completed our child protection training and hold current Working With Children Checks or Blue Cards. To read more about our specific groups and what we offer, click on the button below. NOTE: Cycles dates for 2022 are now closed.
“The impact I CAN mentoring has had on my child’s mental health has been overwhelming. She’s coping better in school, talking more with family, and has enthusiasm for things again. It has definitely helped her out of a dark period and I am so, so grateful.” – Parent of an Online Mentee
WHAT WE OFFER
I CAN Groups- 8-22 years old
I CAN Groups are designed for Autistic children, teens & young adults and cover numerous topics including but not limited to: self esteem, change, transitions, Autistic identity, self-care, relaxation, stress, strengths and many more topics that change on a rotating basis. These groups offer a safe space for participants to connect with peers who they can relate to due to shared experiences.
I CAN IMAGINATION CLUB-8-13 years old
I CAN Imagination Club® offers a safe, engaging environment where Mentees are encouraged to recognise and celebrate their own strengths. Participants do not need a diagnosis of any sort in order to join and benefit from the I CAN Imagination Club®. They are invited to take part because of their ‘big imaginations’ and we do not explicitly discuss Autism. All topics will be covered in an age-appropriate way and may include but are not limited to: belonging, self-esteem, self-care, social groups, interests, sensory needs, change and transitions. This is most suited to those in their primary school years.
I CAN Special Interest Groups (Topics Vary)- 8-22 years old
I CAN Special Interest Groups are designed for Autistic children, teens & young adults to connect to peers and mentors with the same special interest and share these passions and shared experiences with others in a safe and fun environment. The content will be based on the special interest chosen and the content changes on a rotating basis to cater for ongoing participation across the year.
I CAN LGBTIQA+ 13-22 years old
I CAN LGBTIQA+ is designed for Autistic teens and young adults who identify as LGBTIQA+ (including those who are questioning). This group offers a safe space for participants to connect with peers and mentors who can relate and explore topics including, but not limited to: Autistic & Queer identity, pronouns, Queer culture, belonging, gender, sexuality, social connections, self-care, emotion regulation and sensory needs.
Please see our KEY DETAILS pdf. for more information or email us at: online@icannetwork.com.au
All I CAN Mentors and staff have completed our child protection training and hold current Working With Children Checks or Blue Cards.
Please see our KEY DETAILS pdf. for more information or email us at: online@icannetwork.com.au
summer holiday program
NOW OPEN – 2023 summer holiday program
January, 16, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM START TIMES:
Session One: 10AM – 11AM AEDT
Session Two: 5PM – 6PM AEDT
Session Three: 6.30PM – 7.30PM AEDT
NEXT STEPS: Please note due to the volume of interest in this program, our first outreach to you will be when a space becomes available for your child. Contact will be made via email and an SMS will be sent to alert you to the communication. Please ensure these details are listed correctly on the EOI form: https://www.tfaforms.com/5023877
For further details about our online group mentoring including start dates, please see the Key Program Details summary on our website https://icannetwork.online/online/
If you have any further questions, please email us at online@icannetwork.com.au.
All information submitted will be treated confidentially and with sensitivity.
ONLINE GROUP MENTORING FAQs:
TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED: Access to a device which has both microphone and camera capabilities to access the Zoom platform.
COST: $285 AUD for a 5 x session program
NDIS: We can issue Self-Managed & Plan-Managed (Not NDIA Managed) families with an invoice. Families can also privately pay for the program.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS ON OFFER:
I CAN Group Primary School
Our Primary School Group is designed to support young mentees in upper primary years (9-13 years) in developing confidence to start their new school year. The group will provide a safe space in which mentees can discuss any changes which may be occurring in their school life, things they are looking forward to in the school year, ways in which they can manage feelings of overwhelm at the end of a school day, and how to prepare for a school day. It is also an opportunity for mentees to practice social communication skills to support them in working with new children in the school environment and building confidence to be a self-advocate in the classroom. Further skills which will be covered include developing their own ‘I CAN Network’: a support network who will be able to support them in the school year, as well as discussing the importance of interests outside of school and making time for these. Lastly the sessions will explore some simple self-care and relaxation strategies.
Transition to High School
Our Transition to High School Group is designed to support individuals who will be transitioning from Primary School to Year 7 in 2023. Mentees will develop a metaphorical ‘toolbox’ over the course of the sessions designed to support them in preparing for High School. Topics will include identifying people who will be able to help the mentee during their transition, identifying ways in which they can manage their stress at the end of a school day, how to prepare for a school day, tips for navigating timetables and an opportunity to ask questions in a safe environment. Mentors leading this cycle will be young adults who are familiar with high school, having recently finished or currently in their later years, and will be able to provide ‘real-life’ support to mentees. These groups will offer a safe space for participants to connect with peers who will also be embarking on their high school journey and who they can relate to due to shared experiences.
I CAN Group High School
Our I CAN Group High School is designed specifically to support young teens currently in high school in numerous areas. The sessions will cover strategies to manage workload, navigating different classes, changes in timetables, identifying people who will be able to help the mentee during/ outside school, value of interests outside of school and relaxation strategies. Mentors leading this cycle will be young adults who are familiar with high school, having recently finished or currently in their later years of school. They will be able to provide ‘real-life’ support to mentees. These groups will offer a safe space for participants to connect with peers currently attending high school who they can relate to due to shared experiences.
I CAN Special Interest Programs (Various Themes on Offer)
I CAN Special Interest Groups are designed for Autistic children, teens & young adults with the same special interest to connect with peers and I CAN Mentors in a safe and fun environment.
The special interest groups on offer include: Squishmallows, Reptile, Dinosaurs & Bugs, From Masterchef to Home Baking (Cooking & Food), Disney’s Dreamlight Valley, Self-Care & Mindfulness, Cartoons to Anime, Minecraft & Animal Crossing.
We will group participants CLOSE TO THEIR AGE BRACKET. Please ensure you provide the correct age in the form.
To complete an expression of interest form click on this link: https://www.tfaforms.com/5023877
when
6 x 1 hour sessions
CYCLE DATES FOR 2023:
Cycle #1: 13th Feb, 20th Feb, 27th Feb, 6th March, 20th March, 27th March (see session details below)
Cycle #2: 1st May, 8th May, 15th May, 22nd May, 29th May, 5th June
Cycle #3: 17th July, 24th July, 31st July, 7th Aug, 14th Aug, 21st Aug
Cycle #4: 4th Sept, 11th Sept, 18th Sept, 2nd Oct, 9th Oct, 16th Oct
Cycle #5: 23rd Oct, 30th Oct, 13th Nov, 20th Nov, 27th Nov, 4th Dec
HOW
Participants join a live video conference via ‘Zoom’. You will gain instant access to the video conference by clicking on each Zoom session link we provide you after you have completed the registration process.
PRICE
$285 AUD for 6 x sessions
*NDIS Self-Managed or Plan Managed participants can be accepted. I CAN Network Ltd is not an NDIS registered provider although NDIA Managed participants are welcome to pay for the program privately.
NDIS Reports
Cost $165 excl. GST
Invoiced week 5-6 of the online cycle
NDIS report is written upon payment and sent to the participant within one month from the final session of the online cycle.
The report will cover the progress made over the six week period which is based on observation through that time frame. We comment on communication, social engagement, behaviour, participation and areas for improvement and recommendations.
The report is used by families if they are funded by NDIS as each family is required to submit reports to assist secure future funding in their planning review meeting.
Who
8 – 9 “mentees” join two I CAN mentors. Each team includes one Autistic mentor and in most instances, both are Autistic. All of our groups are offered on a mixed gender basis.
NOTE: Age groups are advertised broadly, we will group participants as close to their age bracket as possible. As a guide we generally group within the following: 8- 13 years, 13-17 years & 17-22 years – this may vary in special interest groups.
2023 ONLINE SCHEDULE – cycle #1
MONDAY
AFTERNOON 5-6pm (AEDT)
Ages 8-13 groups
I CAN IMAGINATION CLUB®
Star Wars
harry potteR
SQUISHMALLOWS
HARRY POTTER
MARVEL
gaming
Jurassic Park
STAR WARS
NOTE: Age groups are advertised broadly, we group participants as close to their age bracket as possible. As a guide we generally group within the following: 8- 12 years, 13-17 years & 17-22 years – this may vary in I CAN Special Interest Groups.
TUESDAY
AFTERNOON 5-6pm (AEDT)
Ages 8-13 groups
DINOSAURS
ROBLOX
i can group – primary school
SQUISHMALLOWS
I CAN GROUP
I CAN GROUP (2023 YEAR 7 STUDENTS)
junior ANIME
ANIME
POKEMON
GAMING
NOTE: Age groups are advertised broadly, we group participants as close to their age bracket as possible. As a guide we generally group within the following: 8- 12 years, 13-17 years & 17-22 years – this may vary in I CAN Special Interest Groups.
WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOON 5-6pm (AEDT)
Ages 8-13 groups
MINECRAFT
SQUISHMALLOWS
lego
roblox
ya
drawing & art
fashion, design & makeup
NOTE: Age groups are advertised broadly, we group participants as close to their age bracket as possible. As a guide we generally group within the following: 8- 12 years, 13-17 years & 17-22 years – this may vary in I CAN Special Interest Groups.
THURSDAY
AFTERNOON 5-6pm (AEDT)
Ages 8-13 groups
POKEMON
GAMING
plushies & stuffed toys
pets
MINECRAFT
ANIMALS & THE NATURAL WORLD
LGBTIQA+ (13-22 YRS)
AFL
plushies & stuffed toys
NOTE: Age groups are advertised broadly, we group participants as close to their age bracket as possible. As a guide we generally group within the following: 8- 12 years, 13-17 years & 17-22 years – this may vary in I CAN Special Interest Groups.
FRIDAY
AFTERNOON 5-6pm (AEDT)
Ages 8-13 groups
MINECRAFT
REPTILES & BUGS
i can group – primary school
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
pets
GAMING
i can group – high school
the all things food group
NOTE: Age groups are advertised broadly, we group participants as close to their age bracket as possible. As a guide we generally group within the following: 8- 12 years, 13-17 years & 17-22 years – this may vary in I CAN Special Interest Groups.
how to apply
To express interest for yourself or your young person, click on the “Expression of Interest” button to fill out our application form, including if you are an existing I CAN mentee and would like to re-enrol. If you would like to participate in more than one group at a time, please fill the form out for each group.
For more information please see our KEY DETAILS pdf at the bottom of our Terms and Conditions. If you have any further questions, please write to us at online@icannetwork.com.au
Terms and conditions
To participate you/ your young person need to be:
- Currently in one of the age groups specified and located in Australia.
- Aware that they are Autistic, unless participating in the I CAN Imagination Club® group.
- Comfortable engaging via online and understanding that this may provide some sensory challenges for individuals who are sound sensitive as the online environment may prove to be noisy in some sessions.
- Willing to take part in a group activity in the afternoon or evening (this can be difficult for some individuals who need significant “down time” in the evening, so please consider preferences and needs)
- Can attend the allocated day and time.
- Are aware that an Expression of Interest form has been submitted and is willing to participate.
- Understand that a cancellation policy is in place and is willing to accept its terms upon acceptance of a spot.
- Will need to be able to abide by our ICT terms and conditions which ensure online safety and positive cyber participation.
