Supporting the community following the Bondi Beach tragedy

The recent tragic events at Bondi Beach have been a distressing time for many people in our community.

At Aspect, our focus is on supporting the wellbeing of the students, families and communities we work with. In response, we have developed a set of resources to help parents, carers and educators have calm, age-appropriate conversations with children, young people and adults on the autism spectrum about what has happened.

The following resources are now available:

• Fact sheet for parents and teachers - on talking with children on the autism spectrum about traumatic events. This includes practical guidance, helpline numbers and links to additional information and support services.
• Fact sheet on talking with adults on the autism spectrum - about traumatic events. This includes practical guidance, helpline numbers and links to additional information and support services.
• Social story for preschool and early primary school-aged children - designed to explain what has happened in a clear and reassuring way.
• Social story for older children and teens - providing age-appropriate information and support strategies.
• Social story for Autistic adults - providing information and support strategies.

Our thoughts are with those who lost their lives, their families and friends, and with everyone touched by this terrible event – especially the Jewish community, who will be feeling this loss more personally, as well as those who risked their lives to protect others.