Angelman Syndrome Association Australia

This National Reconciliation Week, the Angelman Syndrome Association Australia proudly stands with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This year’s theme, "All In", reminds us that building a fair future requires all of us to commit to making active, meaningful inclusion a reality. We want to take this opportunity to celebrate and deeply acknowledge our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Angelman families.

True reconciliation means ensuring our families have access to culturally safe care and support.

ASAA is committed to listening, learning, and collaborating to remove barriers to care, inclusion and support for our First Nations families.

Let's walk this path together, today and every day.

Today ASAA and FAST Australia made submissions to the Australian Goverment Senate Inquiry into Epilepsy. We acknowledge all the families who shared their stories and insights.

Angelman syndrome is a rare disease with associated rare forms of epilepsy….but did you know that collectively our rare epilepsy “DEE”cohort is 1:590?!

Thank you to our friends at Genetic Epilepsy Team Australia - GETA for this powerful video submission.

Trigger warning: Moves your heart and your head! 💙

“Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are the most severe forms of epilepsy. They are lifelong, multi-morbidity conditions involving intellectual disability, communication and behavioural challenges, and significant medical complexity.”

DEEs - Devastating, Deadly and Disrespected This film was produced by Genetic Epilepsy Team Australia (GETA) at the 2026 GETA Conference in Brisbane to accompany GETA's submission to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into epilepsy in Australia. Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are the most severe for...

Yesterday, the Government introduced the new NDIS legislation in Parliament. On the same day, the Senate referred it to the Committee for Inquiry.

ASAA, as a proud member of the Down Syndrome Australia DRO Consortium, added our voice to the growing concern about the proposed legislation, and the short timeframe for the Senate to consider, report and help shape the legislation.

"We are deeply disappointed by the extraordinarily short timeframe of approximately one month for the Senate Inquiry to report. There are grave doubts that this will allow proper scrutiny of legislation, with major implications for the well-being, rights, and supports for hundreds of thousands of people with disability, families and carers across Australia."

Join our membership base to increase our voice and our influence at this critical time!

https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/blog/2026/05/15/joint-statement-concerns-over-rushed-ndis-reforms/

Joint Statement: Concerns Over Rushed NDIS Reforms Down Syndrome Australia Consortium joins other Disability Representative Organisations (DROs) are united in calling for a robust Senate Inquiry into the NDIS Reform Bill introduced by the Australian Government yesterday.

Rare Voices Australia have recently released the first round of resources in their nationally co-designed Rare Disease Disability Toolkit. https://rarevoices.org.au/toolkit-page/

The Rare Disease Disability Toolkit:
🤝Includes new peer-to-peer supports.
🗣️Builds capacity in disability rights and self-advocacy.
🛣️Supports people to better access and navigate disability and other systems (such as health, education and employment).

Each resource includes a main guide and extra tools to help you speak up for yourself and use together with your support team. There are currently 3 Guides with practical resources around Community, Health and the NDIS.

· COMMUNITY GUIDE (Air Travel):https://rarevoices.org.au/.../Guide...
· HEALTH GUIDE: https://rarevoices.org.au/.../Guide...
· NDIS GUIDE: https://rarevoices.org.au/.../Guide...

More resources will continue to be added to the Toolkit over the coming months.

💙 MOTHER’S DAY GIVEAWAY 💙

This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating the incredible mums, carers and special women in the Angelman syndrome community who give so much love, strength and support every single day.

To show our appreciation, we’re giving away a beautiful hamper gifted by an close Angelman connection filled with goodies to one deserving woman 🌸

To enter:
💙 Comment below and nominate an amazing mum, carer, grandmother, sister, aunty or friend connected to the Angelman syndrome community — and tell us in 25 words or less why they deserve to be spoiled this Mother’s Day.

We know the journey can be filled with challenges, but also so much love, resilience and joy. This giveaway is our small way of celebrating the incredible women who make such a difference every day 💙

Winner drawn at random and announced on Sunday 10th May at 9pm AEST.

💙 Congratulations to Dimity Morris who was randomly selected (see video in comments) on winning the gift pack 💙

Want to hear about the proposed NDIS changes?
Join the PWDA National Community Forum!

When: Thursday 7 May 2026

4:00pm – 5:30pm (AEST – NSW, QLD, VIC, TAS and ACT)
3:30pm – 5:00pm (ACST – SA, NT)
2:00pm – 3:30pm (AWST – WA)

Where: Online via zoom (Access link will be sent following registration)
Cost: Free
Register now - https://forms.pwd.org.au/civicrm/mailing/url/?u=24138&qid=1953315

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY! SIBLINGS

Researchers at are testing an online, group program called SIBS-ONLINE for the first time in Australia.

They are looking for siblings and parents of people with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) to participate in a research study. This includes Angelman syndrome!

You’re eligible if you:
• Are a sibling (aged 12-18 years) or a parent of a patient with a DEE who was diagnosed at least 6 months ago and lives at home
• Have access to a phone, laptop or device with a camera and internet connection
• Can give informed consent and speak English

If you are interested, please access this link to our website with more information: https://www.unsw.edu.au/.../mental-health-and.../sibs-online

You can contact the research team at [email protected] or Maddison Smith (PhD student) at [email protected]

Free online course for Dads! Course starts 12 May and is weekly for 6 weeks. Register now to meet up with other dads of children with developmental delay and disability (0-9 years).
Thanks to ACD - Advocating for children with disability for this amazing opportunity 💙🙏

Making space for dads 👨‍👧‍👦

Working Out Dads is a free six-week online program for dads raising children with disability, aged 0–9. It’s a dads only space to connect and talk honestly, with a mix of peer support and wellbeing.

Each week includes
🔹 Time with other dads who get it
🔹Simple, practical movement tips from a personal trainer, focused on everyday life

The dads say it best:
🔸“I was able to talk openly about the worries and concerns I have for my son, knowing the other dads truly understood”
🔸“It didn’t take long to realise we’re all in the same boat”
🔸“The program really highlighted how important peer connection is. The support has benefited my mental health and wellbeing, and helps me show up as a better dad and partner”
🔸“It was a space for honest conversations I’ve found difficult to have with my own mates”

Our facilitator, who’s also a dad, shared:
🔹“Over the six weeks, you really see the group open up and connect. Watching those conversations grow, and knowing the dads feel safe to be honest and real, is the part I love most”

📅 The next group starts 12 May.

👉 Take the leap and join us or share this with a dad who might need it: https://bit.ly/WODt226Post

GETA Family Conference (Brisbane, this Saturday)

This Saturday, Genetic Epilepsy Team Australia - GETA is in Brisbane to host the 2026 Family & Scientific Conference.

For many in our Angelman syndrome community, epilepsy is a significant part of daily life. In-person registration has closed but you can join online - this is a valuable opportunity to connect, learn, and feel part of a broader rare epilepsy community.

And what a star line-up, including many familiar and trusted faces!

ASAA is grateful for the work GETA does to support families navigating complex genetic epilepsies. Wishing everyone attending a meaningful and empowering day.

📅 Saturday 2 May
📍 Queensland Children’s Hospital + online
💻 Virtual attendance is free
🕒 There’s still time to register!
🔗 Register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/geta-conference-brisbane-2026-tickets-1982856243401
🔗 More from GETA: https://www.facebook.com/genetic.epilepsy.team

New city. Same community. arrives in Brisbane for the first time on 2 May.

You can expect the same high quality scientific program and lived experience perspectives, delivered in a new location.

Join us in person or attend virtually.

📅 Saturday, 2 May 2026
📍 Brisbane + online

SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE
Queensland Children’s Hospital,
Auditorium, Level 7
501 Stanley Street,
South Brisbane QLD

DINNER
The Ship Inn
Sidon St, Brisbane QLD

We look forward to welcoming you to in two weeks!

Register:
💜 https://bit.ly/GETA2026