Explore Autism programmes
Explore offers ASD Plus, Teen Life and Targeted Parent Support.
Through these programmes, Explore supports parents to understand what autism is, build on existing strengths and knowledge and develop new skills to address areas directly relating to their child’s diagnosis.
ASD Plus
The ASD Plus – Education for Families Programme is for parents, family/ whanau and caregivers of a young child with a diagnosis of autism. The programme supports participants to better understand the way in which their child thinks, learns and experiences the world. It aims to introduce participants to a range of practical strategies that support positive interactions and skill development.
The programme is jointly funded by the Ministries of Health and Education. There is no cost to participants.
Who can attend?
Parents and caregivers of a child aged 0-6 years (up to 7th birthday) who has an autism diagnosis or whose child is currently undergoing assessment and it is felt that it is highly likely that a diagnosis of autism will be given.
The programme
The programme is comprised of 7 sessions, covering the following topics
- Introduction to Autism
- Understanding my child’s communication
- How my child senses the world
- My child’s learning style
- Stress, anxiety and routines
- Understanding behaviour
- Managing into the future
Wherever possible we will endeavour to offer this programme in a group context; so that families have the opportunity to connect and to learn with and from each other.
Individual follow up is available to support families to apply their learning to their own child and home situation.
If families are unable to join a group then we are able to support them to complete the programme through individual visits and/or video conferencing within their own home.
How can I apply?
Parents & caregivers can do this by:
1. Downloading and completing the referral form and emailing this to explore@explore.org.nz.
2. Calling 0800 000 421 and asking one of our team to complete the referral for you.
3. Asking someone to do this for you e.g. Service coordinator at NASC, Developmental/autism coordinator
Teen Life (Young person aged 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. It creates opportunities to discuss useful strategies and share ideas to support people with autism through their teen years. Parents/caregivers can elect to have a professional accompany them in the programme but this not compulsory and is restricted to one person.
The programme is funded by the Ministry of Health. There is no cost to participants.
Who can attend?
Parents/caregivers of an autistic child aged between 10 and 15 (up to 16th birthday). Up to two family members and a supporting professional can attend (with parental permission)
The programme
The programme is comprised of 6 group sessions, covering the following topics:
| Session 1 | Autism in teenagers Hidden presentation in women and girls The autistic perspective |
| Session 2 | Understanding your diagnosis Understanding intense interests Managing expectations |
| Session 3 | Self esteem Spending time with other people |
| Session 4 | Puberty Independence skills |
| Session 5 | Stress and anxiety Understanding behaviour |
| Session 6 | Education |
How can I apply?
Parents & caregivers can do this by:
1. Selecting a programme from the schedule below and then doing one of the following:
2. Download and complete the referral form. Remember to specify the programme you wish to attend from the calendar and email this to explore@explore.org.nz.
3. Calling 0800 000 421 and asking one of our team to complete the referral for you
4. Ask someone to do this for you e.g. Service coordinator at NASC, Developmental/autism coordinator
We can only accommodate a maximum of 6 families per programme and places will be allocated on a first received basis. We need a minimum of four families to be able to run the programme and may need to postpone delivery if we do not receive enough referrals.
Click on your area below to find what programmes are scheduled near you:
Auckland
| Location | Day | Dates | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papatoetoe | Tuesday | 12 February – 19 March 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Penrose | Thursday | 7 March – 11 April 2019 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
| New Lynn | Tuesday | 30 April – 4 June 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Belmont | Tuesday | 30 July – 3 September 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Pakuranga | Tuesday | 30 July – 3 September 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Penrose | Wednesday | 23 October – 27 November 2019 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
North Island
| Location | Day | Dates | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | Wednesday | 6 March – 10 April 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Hamilton | Monday | 4 November – 9 December 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Tauranga | Tuesday | 28 May – 2 July 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Tauranga | Monday | 14 October – 25 November 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Whakatane | Monday | 29 July – 2 September 2019 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm |
| Rotorua | Wednesday | 20 February – 27 March 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Taupo | Wednesday | 8 – 22 May 2019 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm |
| Palmerston North | Tuesday | 12 February – 26 February 2019 | 10:30 am – 2:30 pm |
| Palmerston North | Thursday | 24 October – 7 November 2019 | 10:30 am – 2:30 pm |
| Napier | Tuesday | 26 March – 9 April 2019 | 10:30 am – 2:30 pm |
| Wellington – CBD | Tuesday | 12 February – 19 March 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Wellington – TBC (Porirua/Kapiti) | Friday | 17 May – 21 June 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
| Wellington – Petone | Friday | 16 August – 20 September 2019 | 10:00 am – 12:00 noon |
South Island
| Location | Day | Dates | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blenheim | Thursday | 14 – 28 February 2019 | 10:30 am – 2:30 pm |
| Nelson | Thursday | 2 May – 6 June 2019 | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm |
| Nelson | Thursday | 7 November – 12 December 2019 | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm |
| Christchurch – TBC (Central) | Wednesday | 27 February – 10 April 2019 | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm |
| Christchurch – Burnside | Wednesday | 1 May – 12 June 2019 | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm |
| Christchurch – Kaiapoi | Wednesday | 24 July – 28 August 2019 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm |
| Christchurch – Central | Tuesday | 15 October -19 November 2019 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm |
| Oamaru | Friday | 22 February – 29 March 2019 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm |
| Dunedin | Friday | 17 May – 21 June 2019 | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm |
| Dunedin | Thursday | 25 July – 29 August 2019 | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm |
| Invercargill | Wednesday | 16 – 30 October 2019 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm |
Targeted Parent Support (0-19th birthday)
This is a brief intervention programme, comprising up to seven family contacts and aims to support families to focus on a specific area associated with their child’s autism diagnosis. The programme is primarily aimed at supporting skill development and is not intended for children and young people who need specific and targeted support in relation to challenging behaviour.
This support works best when focused on a specific issue or area of development, for example:
- Planning for successful transitions
- Introducing strategies to support social understanding
- Understanding and managing sensory differences
- Teaching a new skill or routine
Where multiple referrals are received to different Explore programmes, Explore will review all referrals and make a decision about the best service fit given the information received and proceed with 1 referral.
Who can access this programme?
Families who have a child/young person aged between 0 and 18 years with an autism diagnosis.
Please note that families will need to have capacity to meet regularly over a 3 – 4 month period.
How do I access these programmes?
Referrals can be made through a specialist such as an ASD coordinator, paediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist or your NASC coordinator.
Specialists can request a referral form by emailing a request to explore@explore.org.nz.