KidsHealth NZ Autism-Takiwātanga Support Information For Youth Aged 16 & Older
Autism-Takiwātanga Support Information For Youth Aged 16 & Older
Autism-tākiwatanga support information: what's next?
Ngā kete tipuranga: the basket of growth and development
It can sometimes be overwhelming finding age-appropriate information on autism-takiwātanga. This page is designed to make it easier by tailoring information to youth aged 16 and older.
This page includes information about helpful organisations and links to useful websites. Topics covered include autism-takiwātanga in adulthood, education, and sexuality, gender and relationships. Click on the images to link through to the websites.
Check out a QR code poster highlighting the content on this page.
How should people refer to a person diagnosed with autism-takiwātanga?
Takiwātanga means in his, her or my own time and space. It comes from a Māori phrase for autism - "tōku/tōna anō takiwā".
There is no single way of describing autism that everyone agrees on. People may refer to autism, autism spectrum, the spectrum and ASD. People with autism-takiwātanga often prefer to identify as autistic, an autistic person, a person with autism or as an autistic individual. In the health system, it's often called autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Check out a brief description on Autism NZ's website.
Navigating resources and supports
Finding your way through autism-takiwātanga supports and information can feel overwhelming at times. The links below may help you find what you need, or to find someone to help you.
Autism NZ
Autism NZ has resources on navigating the world of autism-takiwātanga, the diagnosis process and education resources.
Autism NZ has 16 branches nationwide - you can ring your local branch for individualised information and support.
Check out the Autism NZ website.
Altogether Autism
Altogether Autism can provide personalised information packages for you - just click on the 'Ask us a question' box and fill in the online information request form. This website also contains many articles that are relevant to teenagers with autism-takiwātanga.
Check out the information hub section on the Altogether Autism website.
Education
Altogether Autism
Altogether Autism has a range of information on education and adulthood.
Check out Altogether Autism's information on teenagers, including:
- How parents can get exam assistance for NZ special needs students
-
Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) for NCEA Exams: How to get free help with alternative evidence
Check out Altogether Autism's section on adulthood.
Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education has general information on tertiary education, including the different options, student loans and allowances. It also has information on the different types of providers.
Find more information on tertiary education on the Ministry of Education website.
The ministry also has a booklet for parents and caregivers of young people with special education needs.
This booklet includes information on learning support, life after school and preparing to leave school.
Find out more about life after school.
Information on life after school is also available from some post-secondary school education providers, most which will have learning support available. Your school careers advisor or counsellor may also have more information.
Employment
Workbridge-Te Arawhiti mо̄ Mahi
Workbridge helps people with disabilities and other conditions find work and supports them in employment.
The organisation provides a range of free employment support services which are designed to suit each individual's needs.
Check out the Workbridge website.
CCS Disability Action
CCS Disability Action offers employment and vocational services.
The organisation works with disabled people aged between 16 and 65, who are not currently in school and are looking to build their community connections or move into employment.
Find out more about CCS Disability Action's employment services.
It also offers a broad range of support services for disabled people, their family and whānau. Services include advocacy for whānau and support for people to remain living at home or in their communities.
Find out more about CCS Disability Action.
Sexuality, gender and relationships
Some young adults and their families find they want information and support on how to manage aspects of puberty, sex education and gender identity.
Raising Children
The Australian Raising Children website has information on these topics. The information is mainly aimed at parents of autistic young people. Keep in mind not all services described on this site will be available in New Zealand.
Check out the Raising Children website.
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa (previously Family Planning)
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa has a range of information and resources for young people and their families.
Check out the Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa website.
See Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa's information for parents and whānau.
Rainbow Youth
There is a variety of information on gender and sexuality on the Rainbow Youth website. Rainbow Youth also offers a support service and social groups at a number of locations throughout Aotearoa.
Check out the Rainbow Youth website.
Social support for young people with autism-takiwātanga
Many youth with autism-takiwātanga need support to develop social skills and friendships.
Some social skills-focused groups that might be useful include:
- music or dance groups
- youth groups
- physical activity, gymnastics, climbing or sports groups
- Lego groups
- social conversation and speaking development groups
- special interest groups
Contact your local Autism NZ outreach coordinator or Altogether Autism cordinator for more information about groups in your area.
Cultural support
Talk to your iwi or hapu about what support they may be able to provide. For help with finding your iwi website, head to the Te Puni Kōkiri website. Once there, you can find your iwi by searching on the map function. Click on the iwi, then on 'Representative Organisations' - this will give you a website address and contact details for your local iwi.
Check out the map function on the Te Puni Kōkiri website.
Pasifika Autism Support Group is for parents and carers of children and youth with autism-takiwātanga. The group aims to meet every term and also operates a Facebook page.
Other useful information
Needs Assessment Service Coordination Association (NASCA)
Your local NASCA organisation helps with respite care and carer support. If your situation has changed since your last assessment, please discuss this with your NASCA organisation. If you have a carer support allocation, this may need updating.
Find your local Needs Assessment Service Coordination Association services.
Find out more about Needs Assessment Service Coordination Association
Explore (HealthCare NZ) autism-takiwātanga services
Explore (HealthCare NZ) offers a range of services for children with autism-takiwātanga and their families.
Services include:
Targeted Parenting Support programme
This programme helps parents develop specific skills and goals.
A service to help parents and whānau manage challenging behaviour.
Free online courses to help you understand your teen's behaviour, communicate with them and develop strategies.
Check out Explore (Healthcare NZ's) autism support services.
QR code poster
To give others easy access to KidsHealth's autism-takiwātanga content, you can share a QR code poster. Anyone can scan the QR code with their smartphone and go straight to the KidsHealth autism-takiwātanga - support and resources by age group landing page.
Share a digital image of the poster (PNG, 3.0MB) or print out a PDF version (PDF, 1.3MB).
See more KidsHealth content on autism-takiwātanga
Check out KidsHealth's section on autism-takiwātanga
Find age-specific resources for autistic children and their families
Find more supports and resources
This page last reviewed 17 August 2022.
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