This website, developed independently by the New Zealand Guidelines Group with funding from the Ministry of Health, was launched in April 2010. It brings together information about ASD for two groups of people:
- 'recognisers' - anybody who might come across a child or adult with a possible ASD, including relatives, friends and caregivers
- 'referrers' - health or education practitioners who make initial clinical assessments for ASD and refer for specialist hospital assessment when required
The website has information and education resources to help people recognise the basic signs and symptoms of possible ASD, and decide what actions they can take. The resources are derived from the New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline.
Website: http://www.nzgg.org.nz/asd
Altogether Autism
Altogether Autism
An information and advisory service for people with ASD, their families, whanau and the wider New Zealand community.
Freephone: 0800 ASD INFO (0800 273 463)
Website: http://www.altogetherautism.org.nz/
Mental Health Foundation NZ
The Mental Health Foundation provides comprehensive information on ASD. This includes myths about and causes of autism, living with autism, treatment options and other support groups.
Phone: 64 9 300 7010
Fax: 64 9 300 7020
Resource Centre: 64 9 300 7030
Email Resource Centre: resource@mentalhealth.org.nz
Fax: 64 9 300 7020
Resource Centre: 64 9 300 7030
Email Resource Centre: resource@mentalhealth.org.nz
Ministry of Education
The ASD resource for teachers is also useful for other people supporting children and young people with ASD, including parents. It introduces some of the challenges faced by young people with ASD, some of the characteristics of these disorders, and practical strategies for support. To request a free printed copy of this booklet, email: asd.mailbox@minedu.govt.nz. The Ministry of Education website also has a section What is education doing about ASD?
Australian website
Raising Children Network: The Australian Parenting Network
The Raising Children Network website provides comprehensive information on ASD in the section Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Please be aware that some of the content (such as information about services available, costs and information about funding of medications) applies only to Australia and may not be relevant to New Zealand. However, much of the information is relevant to New Zealand families.
Other international websites
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, UK
The Great Ormond Street Hospital website provides the booklet Understanding and managing behaviour problems in children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders. The booklet has been written to offer an overview of some of the behavioural difficulties that may be experienced by children with ASD. It also offers guidelines on how to manage these behavioural difficulties. Some of the information may not relate to your situation because each child and their circumstances differ.
Visual strategies
Students with ASD and lots of other students with behaviour or communication challenges tend to be visual learners. They understand what they see better than what they hear. Therefore, they benefit significantly from the use of visual strategies.
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