Autism support services

We've also provided some information on autism to give you an understanding on how our support services are structured to help.

What is autism?

Autism is a neurological difference (a difference in the way the brain experiences and interacts with the world) not a mental illness. It's currently estimated to be present in 1-2% of our population. If you are interested in finding out more about this please visit Altogether Autism's Autism Prevalence in New Zealand external webpage.

As defined by Autism New Zealand, every autistic person is unique, with a wide range of skills, qualities, interests, and personality styles. The autistic community has a saying, “if you have met one autistic person, you have met one autistic person.”

There is so much diversity within autism because it is not a single condition but a cluster of underlying neurological differences that are present in varying ways in each person. The behaviour and needs related to these differences share common themes but show up in different ways for each autistic person. For this reason, the level of support required needs to be tailored to the individual.

DSS funded services and information

There is a range of Disability Support Services and government-funded services available to support your or your child's everyday life and goals. They can be tailored to meet your needs and lifestyle.

If you'd like to access these services, the first thing you need to do is contact your local Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) provider. You do not need a referral to contact them yourself.

They will work with you to:

• complete a needs assessment
• identify what you might need support with, and
• organise that support for you.

Find a NASC near you.

Autism specific supports available

Autism Parent Education: Provides a range of courses nationally for family, whānau and caregivers. The courses, Exploring Autism external and Teen life external are delivered either in person or remotely and each target different life stages. They can be accessed via self-referral, via a clinician or your GP or via referral by Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC). 

Autism Behavioural Support Services: Behaviour services external are available for individuals with behaviours that are impacting on their own lives and the lives of others. The service is based on a Positive Behaviour Support model and is individualised for each person being supported. Referral is via a clinician, your GP or the NASC (Needs Assessment Service Coordinator). 

Autism Developmental Coordination support: For families who have a member who has been identified as possibly having autism or who has had a diagnosis of autism. The Developmental Coordinator provides a single point of contact for the child and family and supports them to access appropriate support and therapy services. Autism Developmental Coordination is delivered regionally via Child Development Services (CDS).

Child Development Services (CDS): This service facilitates support pathways, such as referral to Allied Health supports such as Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Therapy. Access to Child Development Services and Autism Development Coordination is via referral by your GP to Child Development Services, Health New Zealand.

Other services and information

Online resources and forums are a great way to learn more about services available, educational opportunities or support groups you might like to join. 

There is also a wide range of information on autism and services nationwide. We are in the process of gathering a list of these resources, you can find some of them listed in this section. Some of the organisations listed are funded by DSS and some are funded by their community.  

• Acorn Autism Charitable Trust external: An interdisciplinary centre in central Auckland and North Shore Auckland for children, adolescents and young adults offering evidence based, whānau-focused services. They provide diagnostic assessments, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural therapy, and mental health services. 
• Altogether Autism external: A free, nationwide autism information and advisory service. They run workshops, curate resources and can provide personalised advice.
• Autism Intervention Trust external: A small Wellington-based trust that supports autistic children and their families through providing recreational activities, like holiday and gym programmes. They've also partnered with Victoria University of Wellington to develop and evaluate early intervention therapy programmes. It is grant and parent/member funded.
• Autism New Zealand external: A provider of services, support, education and information on autism for autistic people and family/whānau, caregivers, and professionals. Autism New Zealand provide a helpful online database of local and regional support organisations and providers on their Community Links external website.
• Autistic Self Advocacy Network external(ASAN AUNZ): An advocacy organisation run by autistic people and for autistic people in Australiaand New Zealand. Their focus is to enable autistic citizens to achieve their full potential in society.
• Care Matters external: Has a broad range of online resources and facilitates Enabling Good Lives (EGL) workshops for families and caregivers.
• Enrich+ external: Provides a range of services across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, including social groups, holiday programmes, supporting activities, employment, living and transitioning from school support.
• Kanorau external: Kanorau offer support, information and programmes to enable tāngata whaitakiwātanga and their whānau to lead good lives.
• Parent to Parent external: Facilitates local support groups across the country in partnership with Altogether Autism. They also run helpful workshops on a wide range of relevant subjects which are a great way to find support amongst other families.
• Pasifika Autism Support Group external: This support group is for Pacific people who are autistic and their families. Currently only operating in Wellington and Auckland.
• Taonga Takiwātanga external : A Gisborne based group set up to support whānau who have a child or whanau member with Takiwātanga. 

Autism Guideline Third Edition

The Aotearoa New Zealand Autism Guideline: He Waka Huia Takiwātanga Rau ('the Guideline) describes best practice on how to support autistic people in New Zealand.

Written for a clinical audience the Guideline includes over 300 evidence-based recommendations developed by clinicians, educators, researchers, and people with lived experience. 

• Learn more by visiting Aotearoa New Zealand Autism Guideline: Third Edition.