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MEDIA ALERT: Northland Shopping Centre First to Support Shoppers with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Announcement posted by Northland Shopping Centre 12 Jun 2014

 
June 12, 2014 Northland Shopping Centre has announced a community partnership with Amaze, formerly Autism Victoria, which has seen it open Australia’s first ever shopping centre ‘Quiet Room’ - a sensory soothing space for individuals with Autism.
 
Built entirely by local volunteers and businesses and led by a passionate committee with most members having been personally touched by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the pioneering ‘Quiet Room’ concept has been introduced in a bid to give the 55,000 Victorians affected by ASD a positive shopping experience.
 
Amaze CEO Fiona Sharkie explains, “It can be very difficult for parents with children on the spectrum to be able to come out to public places, such as shopping centres, for fear of their child having a ‘meltdown’ due to too much sensory stimulation. And not just children – adolescents and adults with ASD are often overwhelmed by the sensory experience that is ‘shopping’! Northland Shopping Centre, together with our Autism experts, have constructed a specially designed ‘Quiet Room’ offering individuals and their carers space to reduce their anxiety, where they can get access to power, sensory soothing items, bean bags and other useful materials to help reduce over-stimulation.”
 
It is a little known fact that one in every 100-110 people is affected by ASD. This equates to around 250,000 Australians. It is a developmental condition which affects individuals in two main areas:
 
·         Impaired communication and social interaction
·         Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities
 
Centre Manager, Michael Bickers, is thrilled that Northland Shopping Centre has become more accessible to its valued customers and centre staff affected by ASD.  
 
“We hope this revolutionary idea will help individuals and their carers feel more comfortable in this and other public spaces and perhaps further engage with the community.  Furthermore, we’re committed to growing awareness of ASD at Northland by using our communication channels to promote the many wonderful ASD services and programs available within the local community”, said Bickers.  
 
Australia’s first ever shopping centre ‘Quiet Room’ was unveiled by Cr. Gaetano Greco, Mayor of the City of Darebin and CEO of Amaze, Fiona Sharkie, this week at Northland Shopping Centre. Volunteers, community members and local businesses were attendance along with representatives from Amaze and Northland Centre Management. For further details, please contact Northland Centre Management 03 9478 1399.
 
- Ends -
 
For all media enquiries or to arrange an interview please contact:
 
Tiffany Harman
0404 303 308
tiffany_harman@hotmail.com
 
- Editor’s Notes -
 
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Facts:
 
·         ASD affects around 1 in every 100-110 people. This equates to around 55,000 Victorians and around 250,000 Australians
·         ASD is diagnosed in around four times as many males as females
·         ASD is a lifelong condition and there is no cure
·         Unemployment rates for individuals with ASD are around 65% compared with only about 6% for the whole population
·         Individuals with ASD are over-represented in the homeless population and in the justice system
·         On the positive side, early intervention can have tremendous results in helping those affected to live to their full potential
·         For older individuals, timely and meaningful support, advice and information can also be critical to quality of life outcomes
 
About Northland
 
Northland Shopping Centre is a regional shopping centre located approximately 11km north of Melbourne’s CBD. The centre is anchored by Myer, Kmart, Target, Coles, Woolworths, Toys ‘R’ Us, Rebel Sport, Lincraft and Hoyts Cinemas and includes more than 300 retailers. Northland Shopping Centre has always maintained a strong connection to the local trade area having been the key shopping destination for over 48 years (1966). It is the largest single level shopping centre in Melbourne and was one of the first self-contained shopping centres in the North. The centre is the main hub for connectivity in the North – hosting a major public transport interchange and is the proud place of sanction for local customers and the broader community.
 
About AMAZE
 
Amaze is a member-based not-for-profit organisation and is the peak body for Autism Spectrum Disorder in the state of Victoria. Amaze represents around 55,000 Victorians who have ASD and work for the benefit of all individuals and their families and to promote better understanding of ASD in the general community. Amaze aims to improve the quality of life for people affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder, their family and carers, and to provide a range of services to individuals with ASD and the agencies that work with them.
 
 

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