Autism Services for Teens (10 – 15 Years)

The Teen Life programme aims to empower parents and supporting professionals to understand more about how autism is experienced by autistic teenagers. 

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Teen Life

The programme creates opportunities to discuss useful strategies and share ideas to support the young person. For our face-to-face programmes, parents/caregivers can choose to have a professional attend alongside them, but this isn’t compulsory and is limited to one person. Unfortunately, we are unable to include professionals on our remote programmes.

The programme is fully funded by the Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People so there is no cost to participants.

Who can attend?

Parents/caregivers of a child aged between 10 and 15 (up to 16th birthday) who has an autism diagnosis. Unfortunately we are unable to accept referrals for young people who have turned 16 years prior to the group commencing. Up to two family members and a supporting professional (invited by the family) can attend together.  The child/teenager does not attend the programme with the family. Unfortunately, we are unable to include professionals on our remote programmes.

To join one of our remote programmes, you will need a device (tablet or computer) and access to the internet. 

Working together to understand your Autistic Teen

6 group sessions cover the following topics:

  1. Autism in teenagers
    Hidden presentation in women and girls
    The autistic perspective
  2. Self-esteem
    Spending time with other people
  3. Stress and anxiety
    Understanding behaviour
  4. Understanding your diagnosis
    Understanding intense interests
    Managing expectations
  5. Puberty
    Independence skills
  6. Education
    Planning for the future

Parents/caregivers can apply by

Choosing a programme from the schedule below and then doing one of the following:

  1. Downloading and completing the referral form Remember to specify the programme you wish to attend from the calendar and email this to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can submit an online referral form by clicking on the button below. 
  2. Calling 0800 605 001 and asking one of our team to complete the referral for you
  3. Ask another professional in the teenager’s support team to complete the referral e.g. Service coordinator at NASC, Developmental/autism coordinator

Course Schedule

We can accommodate a maximum of 6 families per programme and places will be allocated on a first received basis. We need a minimum of 4 families to run the programme so the programme may need to be cancelled if we don’t receive enough referrals. Your registration can only
be accepted if you detail the dates/times of an available programme. 
Unfortunately, we do not hold a wait list for this programme, but please do
check back as we will add additional programmes each school term. 

To be fair to the other families, that are waiting for a place, please be aware that we can only provide one group place per family/ per household on  Teen Life Programmes.   

Course

Day

Dates

Times

Weeks Running

North Island

 

 

 

 

Whakatane

Mon, Tues

6/05/2024 – 7/05/2024

9:30am – 2:30pm

For two days

Hamilton

Mon, Tues, Wed

6/05/2024 – 8/05/2024

10:00am – 2:30pm

FULL

Auckland Penrose

Tuesday

7/05/2024 – 11/06/2024

10:00am – 12:00pm

WITHDRAWN

Wellington Petone

Tuesday

7/05/2024 – 11/06/2024

10:00am – 12:00pm

WITHDRAWN

Wellington Petone

Tuesday

7/05/2024 – 11/06/2024

1:00pm – 3:00pm

WITHDRAWN

Auckland Penrose

Thursday

9/05/2024 – 13/06/2024

10:00am – 12:00pm

For six weeks

Auckland Penrose

Thursday

9/05/2024 – 13/06/2024

12:30pm – 2:30pm

For six weeks

Palmerston North

Monday

10/06/2024 – 24/06/2024

10:00am – 2:00pm

For three weeks

Hastings

Friday

17/05/2024 – 21/06/2024

9:30am – 11:30am

For six weeks

South Island

 

 

 

 

Christchurch

Wednesday

8/05/2024 – 12/06/2024

12:30pm – 2:30pm

FULL

Nelson

Tuesday

28/05/2024 – 2/07/2024

9:30am – 11:30am

For six weeks

Remote

 

 

 

 

Remote Delivery

Tuesday

30/04/2024 – 4/06/2024

12:30pm – 2:30pm

FULL

Remote Delivery

Monday

6/05/2024 – 17/06/2024

12:00pm – 2:00pm

FULL

Remote Delivery

Tuesday

7/05/2024 – 11/06/2024

10:00am – 12:00pm

FULL

Remote Delivery

Tuesday

7/05/2024 – 11/06/2024

12:30pm – 2:30pm

FULL

Remote Delivery

Tuesday

7/05/2024 – 11/06/2024

10:00am – 12:00pm

FULL

Remote Delivery

Tuesday

7/05/2024 – 11/06/2024

10:00am – 12:00pm

For six weeks

Remote Delivery

Wednesday

8/05/2024 – 19/06/2024

6:30pm – 8:30pm

FULL

 

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