Skip to content

Grace Fava: Westfield Local Heroes 2018

Love for her sons inspires Grace to help thousands of others

Grace Fava’s two sons are doing very well in high school. But she still becomes emotional when she speaks about her initial struggle to find support for their autism spectrum disorder.

“I thought that if I’m having this much difficulty and frustration, imagine those who don’t have English as their first language, who don’t have the amount of education that I did,” she says.

So, Grace gathered up seven like-minded parents and around her kitchen table they hatched a plan for a modest information service.

That was 2007. Since then Autism Advisory and Support Service has moved out of Grace’s spare room into a purpose-designed cottage in Liverpool, NSW. It is NDIS-accredited and has 25 employees and volunteers.

About 500 people from across Australia and overseas contact the service each month by email, in person or by contacting its 24 -hour Autism hotline – the only one in the southern hemisphere. There is also a steady stream of requests for help and referrals from community organisations, health services, doctors, schools and politicians.

“We have helped thousands of people over the years,” says Grace, who is CEO of the non-profit organisation.

“I’m proud to say that almost 12 years later we also offer allied health interventions, professional development and network families with the support they need. It’s all about the best possible outcomes for children and adults on the spectrum.

“We take a step back and say let’s bring in the correct support and make sure we have the right outcome. We try to get an overall view instead of focusing on one issue,” she says.

“We have the lived experience that other organisations don’t have.”

Grace says it is “very exciting” and an honour to be voted a Westfield Local Hero. “I am honoured because what I do is out of love, first of all for my children, but that goes out to other children and families in need.

The service will use its $10,000 Westfield Local Heroes grant to provide subsidised therapy services to people with autism who do not attract funding through the NDIS or are on a waiting list for funding. This will include speech, occupational, behaviour and music therapy as well as psychology, physiotherapy and social skills groups.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here.

The Body Shop: 20% off Easter Weekend

The hunt is over. Beauty gifts for a Happy Easter.​ Hop to it. Limited time only.

Read more

Win 1 of 10 family trips to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Get ready for your chance to WIN 1 of 10 family holidays to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort in California with Flight Centre!

Read more

You may also like

Johnny Bigg: For The Big & Tall Guy: Smarten up

Suit up and look smart for any occasion.

Read more

Egg-cellent Easter gift ideas for everyone

Spread the joy this Easter with gift ideas for the whole family.

Read more

We acknowledge the Cabrogal people of the Darug Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land we gather on today and pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their Elders past and present.

Scentre Group operates its Westfield Living Centre portfolio with a responsible business mindset across the four pillars of community, people, environment and economic performance. More information can be found in our 2022 Responsible Business Report.

© All rights reserved Scentre Group 2024