Local Branches: Wellington

Address: Ground Floor, Molesworth House. 101 Molesworth Street, Wellington

Phone:  (04) 472 1007 

Fax: (04) 470 7617

Email: wellington@autismnz.org.nz

Committee Chairperson: Hamish James
Secretary: Kathy Reid

W E L C O M E ! Our members are drawn from every walk of life, with many family members, clients, professionals, and people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) 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!

How to find us: Across the road from New World Thorndon, sharing offices with National Office.

Postal Address: P O Box 12599, Thorndon, Wellington 6144
Telephone:  04 472 1007   Fax: 04 470 7617
Email: wellington@autismnz.org.nz


Office Hours:  Karen Brady - Branch Support Coordinator - is in the office most days - generally between 9.30 am and 2.30 pm.
! 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, the Kapiti Coast, and lower Horowhenua (Levin & below).

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
- Liaision 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
- Activities, Seminars, Newsletters
- and much more...

Ring  04 472 1007   or email wellington@autismnz.org.nz to receive our latest newsletters.

Newletters

E News Dec 2009

E News Feb 2010

E News May 2010

Other Information

Asperger  top

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 Group - Hutt Valley  top

Big monthly 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  04 569-2037  to find out when this independent group will next meet at the Knox Church Lounge, 574 High Street, Lower Hutt.

Family Group - Kapiti Coast  top

Meets: Each 2nd Wednesday of the Month during School Term
Venue: 'Westwing', Raumati Beach School, Raumati Road, Raumati Beach
Time: 7:30pm-9pm
Convener: Sue McLean

Telephone  04 472 1007   or e-mail westwing@xtra.co.nz (Sue) to be added to the list of those to be notified of the monthly meeting date.

Family Groups - Wairarapa  top

Please email wellington@autismnz.org.nz for further details

Social Skills Group - Wellington  top

Meets: Weekly (during school term)
Venue: Johnsonville - Please contact the branch for more information
Time: Thursday 4.30 pm to 6.00pm
Convener: Serena Stace   04 472 1007  - 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!

Adult Group - Wellington Region  top

Meets: Call for Monthly meeting information
Venue: Varies each Month
Time: Varies each Month
Convener: Maureen Walker
E-mail: walker@paradise.net.nz

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!

Please e-mail Maureen to receive a calendar of planned activities and to be placed on the mail/e-mail list.

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 Group - Wellington  top

Meets: Third Monday of Each Month
Venue: 4 Broderick St, Johnsonville
Convener:    (04) 472 1007  or email wellington@autismnz.org.nz

A confidential, welcoming, and supportive environment for people who have a partner 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  
- (Transcript from a Dr. Tony Attwood Workshop for partners of people with ASD)

Homeschooling ASD Children Support Group top

We are two local families homeschooling children on the autism spectrum.  We are keen to get in touch with other parents in the Wellington Region who are, or are thinking of, homeschooling their ASD child(ren).
We’d like to set up a support group for those on this journey so we can share such things as what is working and resource ideas. We appreciate, like all children, each ASD child is unique and every family will have their own way of meeting their child’s learning needs.
At this stage we think it would be great to have the opportunity to meet informally once a month as parents. We could also look at the possibility of having a regular get together for the children of the involved families.
If you are interested in knowing more and/or getting involved, please either contact:
Autism New Zealand Wellington Branch on 478 2700 or email wellington@autismnz.org.nz for further information.

Learn to Swim Program for Children- Wellington  top

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

Featured and Useful Web-sites  top

A KIWI SITE FOR PEOPLE WITH ASPERGER'S - www.asplanet.info
Alyson keeps her international Kiwi-based site at the very forefront for people with an ASD with the latest information, interviews, life-stories, links, forums and other positive and uplifting items.

A KIWI SITE FOR NEWS-STORIES-INFO-LINKS - www.humans.org.nz
Put together by the inspiring Russell lads for Kiwis who are not at all complacent about Asperger's and Autism and definately have something worth hearing about!

Integrated Learning Therapy for Children with Autism, ADHD, Aspergers, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.
www.integratedlearningtherapy.co.nz

 The ADD Assessment & Family Support Centre - www.addnz.org.nz .  Offers diagnosis for Autism and ADD/ADHD.  Reasonable costs and waiting times.  Self referral acceptable.

Autism Action Growing Hope With Families  top              

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

Videos regarding Autism on YouTube

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

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

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

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

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

---To recommend a website please contact the Branch wellington@autismnz.org.nz--- 

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 http://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!

Events coming soon to Wellington Branch

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

I have over 35 years surfing experience and am certified by International Surfing Assn (ISA) & Surfing NZ. I have also completed a Surf Life Saving and current First Aid certification.  I am also a member Disabled Surfing NZ.

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.

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 I will down at the beach on any particular day. Find out more at:
http://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 Ph: 04: 383 6670   M: 027 2402059

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.

Wellington Branch wish to thank everyone who came along to this event!

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

Training