Autism New Zealand Wellington Branch

W E L C O M E! 

Our members are drawn from every walk of life, with many people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), family members and professionals involved.

We welcome anyone interested in joining and sharing whatever they have to offer others and whatever we have to offer you through an active branch of Autism NZ Inc.


Address:
Ground Floor, Molesworth House, 101 Molesworth Street, Wellington
(How to find us - Across the road from New World Thorndon, sharing offices with National Office.  You can park at the New World for 90 minutes if you make a purchase there).

Postal Address: P O Box 12599, Thorndon, Wellington 6144

Phone:  (04) 472 1007 

Email: wellington@autismnz.org.nz

Committee Chairperson: Hugh Thomson

Secretary: Hamish James

Office Hours: 
Veerle Van Cooten (Branch Support Coordinator) - is in the office most days, generally between 10am and 2.30pm. (However ringing ahead helps avoid disappointment as our office staff are sometimes out working in the community).

Branch Coverage:
We cover the Greater Wellington area, including Wairarapa and the Kapiti Coast.

Base Services:
(For more services and information please ask for the current e-Newsletter from wellington@autismnz.org.nz and/or ask to be placed on our mailing list)

- Support, Information and Advice for parents, individuals, families, professionals and interested parties
- A focal point for the ASD community
- Liaison with and access to agencies and services
- Parent Support, Adult/Teen Client and Partner Support Groups
- Raising awareness of and fundraising for ASD's
- Lending library and other resources

Newletters:

E News February 2011

Autism NZ Annual Appeal 1 - 7 June 2011

This is our yearly opportunity to raise awareness of Autism in the community and to raise funds for branch and national costs.

To ensure we get maximum publicity and financial returns we would like to hear from anyone interested in helping with collecting.  Please contact Veerle at the branch phone (04) 472 1007 or email wellington@autismnz.org.nz.

Support and Social Groups in the area:

Adult Social Group - Autism NZ
Meets: Generally Monthly
Venue and Time: Varies each Month
Convener: Maureen Walker
Email: walker@paradise.net.nz or wellington@autismnz.org.nz to receive a calendar of events.

The Adult group meets monthly (approximately) for alternating social and informational evenings. Come join dozens of others and make the connection with people who know and accept the often profoundly different way you are you!

For ages 16+, for people on the ASD spectrum and their partner/parent/caregiver/supporter and people interested in assisting in any way.

For so many of those who attend - this gathering is so very much looked forward to, often becoming an individuals most rewarding monthly social event.


OASIS Partner and Parent Support Group - Autism NZ
Meets: Third Sunday of each month
Venue: To be advised
Convener: Veerle Van Cooten (04) 472 1007  or email wellington@autismnz.org.nz for more information.

A confidential, welcoming, and supportive environment for people who have a partner or child/ren with an ASD.

Some helpful sites to visit for basic information - especially about Cassandra Syndrome (CADDS) that oftentimes affects the Partners of people with an ASD:
- www.faaas.org
- www.aspires-relationships.com
- www.faaas.org/doc.php?29161


Cloud 9 Foundation Coffee Group
Cloud 9 Children's Foundation occasionally have a meet-up for Coffee and a Chat to discuss Childhood and Asperger's syndrome. Friendly ear guaranteed! Bring any info and ideas you have to share!
Call Bill on (04) 232 4795 or email foundation@entercloud9.com for further information and dates.
Office located at Tawa Community Centre. Cloud 9, P O Box 51 176, Tawa, Wellington 5249.


Family Support Group - Hutt Valley
Big monthly/ 6 weekly meeting of (mostly) parents with a child on the spectrum who wish to positively engage in the quality sharing of strategies, knowledge and understanding.

Great welcome guaranteed!

Range of books & resources available for free loan. Gold coin donation for hall hire and cuppa please.

Call Carol  Maud on (04) 569 2037 to find out when this independent group will next meet at the Knox Church Lounge, 574 High Street, Lower Hutt.


Family Support Group - Kapiti Coast
Meets: Each 2nd Wednesday of the Month during School Term (Approx)
Venue: 'Westwing', Raumati Beach School, Raumati Road, Raumati Beach
Time: 7.30pm - 9pm
Convener: Sue McLean
Email westwing@xtra.co.nz (Sue) to be added to the list of those to be notified of the monthly meeting date.


Autism 4 Life Support Group - Wairarapa
Meets: One Monday a month
Venue and Time: Open Home Foundation House (81 Lincoln Rd, Masterton) 10.00am to 12.00pm.
Convenors: Wendy M - 021 0296 5043 or Wendy R - 027 246 3632, email roesward@hotmail.com
To provide support, advocacy and information. Come along and meet others who can share common experiences and offer insight.


South Wellington Support Group
Meets: First Thursday of each month
Venue and time: Island Bay Plunket rooms (167 The Parade) 9.15 - 11.00am
Convenor: Email southwellyspectrum@gmail.com for more information
For those who have (or believe they have) a child on the autism spectrum, to support each other and share ideas and information. Pre-school children welcome.


Autism Action Growing Hope With Families 
Are you: Trying to come to terms with an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis for your child?
Feeling overwhelmed and under supported as a family?
Feeling lost and stressed?

Autism Action can work with you to bring peace and hope back into your family.
Autism Action has been created by Laura Southward-Ellis.  Laura is a therapist who has worked in the area of Mental Health for the last twelve years and is a member of New Zealand Association of Counsellors.  Laura is also a parent to three children, one of whom has a diagnosis of autism.

Laura works with families in their own home.  She looks at ways to:
Explore what a diagnosis of autism/aspergers might mean for your child and your family.
Work with you to strengthen family relationships: parents, siblings and others.
Develop the optimum home environment for your child.
Help you develop coping strategies for high stress times, such as meltdowns.

Contact Laura on:
Email: getset2go@getset2go.co.nz
Phone:  04 565 4419
Cell:  027 565 1265 text or ring


Other Groups/Activities in the area:


Social Skills Group - Autism NZ
Meets: Weekly (during school term)
Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre
Time: Thursday 4.30pm to 6.00pm
Convener: Serena Stace - please contact the office on (04) 472 1007 or email wellington@autismnz.org.nz

For those children aged 7 to 13 years of age who have an ASD. Registration required!
The main goal of the Autism NZ children’s social skills group is to help your child to become comfortable with other children and adults and support them in learning socialisation and communication skills. Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) find communicating and making friendships with other children difficult. The group provides a safe, fun environment for your child with ASD. As the facilitator I use various techniques to encourage interaction and communication between the children. These include art making and individual, group and parallel play. As this is a very child-centred process and each child and their needs are different, and my main aim is to use collaborative and sharing techniques to keep all the children happily engaged. At times it might look messy or chaotic to you, but it is carefully managed by me as facilitator supported by my volunteers. I am a child psychotherapist with expertise in autism so this professional background informs my work.
We are happy to talk to you about any particular needs or goals for your child.  Social activities and opportunities! Please contact the branch for more information.


Learn to Swim Program for Children- Wellington
The ultimate aim of this programme is to provide parents and caregivers with an affordable way to introduce their child to swimming and build confidence in this area.  These lessons are one on one and normally run from your local swimming depending spaces available.
Please contact the Branch for further details - wellington@autismnz.org.nz.


Cloud 9 Pre-Teen and Teen Clubs
Pre - Teen Club  10 to 12 years - 11.30 to 1.00pm
Teen Club  13 to 19 years - 2.00 to 4.00pm

Both groups meet at the Tawa Community Centre for games and activiies or just a place to meet others on the spectrum.  Freindly welcom guarenteed.  Call Bill Murray on  04 232 4795 or email foundation@entercloud9.com for more information.


Rimutaka Gymsports - Adapted Classes
Rimutaka Gymsports are running adapted gym classes for people with a disability or special need. This is an opportunity to help develop movement skills and have fun in a supported and adapted environment. Classes run for up to 1 hour.
Cost: $5 per session
Times: Monday 3.30pm – Any Age and Saturday 12.45pm – Any Age
Phone: 526 2990
Email: rimutaka.gym@xtra.co.nz
Address: 55 Montgomery Crescent


Simoana’s Surfcoaching presents...... A FREE SPECIAL NEEDS SURFING EXPERIENCE IN WELLINGTON
A fun recreational experience for the family (with an autistic child) to enjoy together.
Simoana has over 35 years surfing experience and is certified by International Surfing Assn (ISA) & Surfing NZ. She has also completed a Surf Life Saving and current First Aid certification and is a member of Disabled Surfing NZ.

Venue: Very Far Western corner of Lyall Bay (Maranui End)
When: Weekend mornings approx 10am when the weather is calm and there is little to no swell. Please call about 8am to confirm, Simoana will be down at the beach on any particular day.
Parents/care givers will be fully responsible for their children and be expected to be involved and assist in the water with the surfing experience.
Find out more at: www.surfcoachingwellington.co.nz/special-needs.html
(Koha or donation for running costs, gear and caregivers appreciated)
Additional helpers on the day to get children into wetsuits/life jackets are appreciated.  Any donation of old surfboards/wetsuits or lifejackets also appreciated.
Contact - Simon Parkin (04) 383 6670   Mobile 027 240 2059
Please note people may be taking photos. Please advise if you do not wish your child’s photo to be used for publicity purposes.
Tandem board and life jackets kindly sponsored by Wellington Airport "Wild at Heart"
Warm quality wetsuits kindly sponsored by the Island Bay Lions.


Do you shop online?  Do you want to help raise money for wellington branch?
At no cost to yourself you can help support your branch by shopping through the yourfastshop site - follow this link:
Support Autism New Zealand - Wellington Branch by shopping with leading retailers at www.yourfastshop.co.nz/AUTISMNZWGTN
Access great online stores like: Woolworths, Dell, Dominos Pizza, Flight Centre, Fatso, Noel Leeming, OfficeMax, iSubscribe, Bond and Bond and lots more!  While shoping online you are supporting us! 
 

Movies and Videos regarding Autism

Autism Every Day (7 minute version) - www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDMMwG7RrFQ&feature=related

Autism and Aspergers Awareness - www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vQsY0rD8BQ&feature=fvst

The face of autism - www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7kHSOgauhg

Living with my autistic son - www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_R_CUxrZ8I&feature=fvw

The X Factor 2009 - www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j7c4HNX3TU

Adam - a movie that explores Autism and relationships. This movie is now available on DVD released 2009.  Starring Rose Byrne and Hugh Dancy.

A refreshing romantic drama that looks at the relationship between Adam, a young man with Aspergers and his beautiful neighbour.  A great opportunity to see Autism portrayed in a realistic and sympathetic way in the popular media. 

Watch the Trailer -  www.flicks.co.nz/trailer/adam/1085/#TB_inlineheight=399&width=730&inlineId=moviePlayer