Autism New Zealand Inc. regularly provides training opportunities with a view to improving the understanding of people who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder.. The programmes may be one/two day seminars or workshops, early intervention programmes and individual/family consultations. We organise a national conference every two years in order to attract a wide range of experts in the field of autism spectrum disorders to speak to audiences, and invite international experts and professionals to speak around the country at regular intervals. For details of courses and seminars currently scheduled please see below or click here

Our programmes and seminars are aimed at increasing understanding of people who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder in the wider community.

Participants normally include:

• parents
• family/whanau
• people with an ASD
• caregivers

• teachers
• teacher aides
• people working in supported employment
• support people in educational institutions
• speech language and occupational therapists
• psychologists
• medical practitioners
• paediatricians
• and psychiatrists etc.

Please select the links below for more details on upcoming courses, seminars and training days.

Autism New Zealand National Conference - Making the Connections

Transition from School - Seminar - Hamilton

Training in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)

Using Social Stories^TM with Children who have ASD

help! programme for families, whanau and carers

Implementing FACS

Introduction to Advanced Strategies for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Understanding the Autistic Spectrum; Implications For Learning

NAS EarlyBird^®Programme

S.P.E.L.L. Training

Writing Social Stories^© - Carol Gray Video Workshops

Autism New Zealand National Conference - Making the Connections  top

Making the Connections Conference well be held in Christchurch at the Grand Chancellor Hotel of the week-end of the 12th, 13th and 14th of September 2008 with Post Conference Seminars being held on the 15th of September 2008

For more information about the Conference please Click here

Transition from School - Seminar - Hamilton  top

Leaving school for a life in the community is a big step in every young person’s life. For a young adult with a disability it is no different. It takes planning, dreaming and information.


Date: 26 May 2008

Venue: GSE Waikato
Ken Browne Drive, Hamilton

Time: 9.00 am – 3.00 pm

Target Group: This course is for parents, whanau, caregivers, young adults and professionals working with young adults transitioning from school to life in the community or tertiary education.

Cost: $40.00 (includes lunch and materials)

Content:
* Person-centred planning techniques, such as PATH.
* Visual guide to services and supports in the community.
* Presenters from community organisations looking at care in the community, individualised funding and employment.
* Information about new initiatives from the Ministry of Social Development.

Presenter: Chris McMaster, Special Education Adviser

Email: Chris.mcmaster@minedu.govt.nz
Phone: 07-850-8965

Training in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)  top

Training in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
(Evidence based practice)

Contact Tracy O'Connell for details and further information:

Tracy O'Connell
Training Manager
Autism NZ INC (Auckland Branch)
Phone: 09 846 0913 ext:3
Email: Tracy.O'Connell@autismnz.org.nz

Using Social Stories^TM with Children who have ASD  top

Overview

A full day cost recovery training programme for parents and professionals who support individuals of all ages who have ASD.

Participants will learn how to:

• Write a social story
• Apply cognitive models of learning (ie. Theory of Mind, Central Coherence, and Executive Functioning) in autism when using social stories; and
• Deepen their understanding of why this social tool helps to increase social understanding of those who have ASD.

Participants will develop their own Social Stories for people they support who have an autism spectrum disorder. Maximum of 50 participants.

About the Writer/Presenter—Celeste Littek

Celeste Littek (M.Ed.-Dip.T) has over 25 years of personal and professional experience in the field of Autism. She worked as a regular and Early Intervention teacher prior to becoming a private consultant on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). She delivers training to parents/whanau (e.g., ‘NAS EarlyBird Programme’), teachers, specialists, and support workers (e.g., ‘SPELL programme’). She has developed, co-developed and delivered several training programmes for Autism New Zealand and the Ministry of Education.

Cost

Early registration $100.00
Late registration $130.00


For details of further courses for 2008;
Please email: Training@autismnz.org.nz to

How do I register?

To be able to participate in this programme a registration form must be completed and returned to Autism New Zealand National Office.

You can download a Registration Form here
If you have difficulties with this form go here *

or contact Autism New Zealand Inc.

Phone: 0800 AUTISM (288 476)
Email: Training@autismnz.org.nz


To Register - print and post to:
Autism New Zealand Inc.
P O Box 42052
Tower Junction
Addington
Christchurch 8149
New Zealand

or fax to: 03 339-2649

help! programme for families, whanau and carers  top

The help! programme, developed in the UK in response to research, which has clearly highlighted the importance of support for parents/families/carers of people who have an autism spectrum disorder. Improved learning outcomes as well as reducing stress on families and carers are amoungst the benefits of this programme.

What is the aim of the Programme?

The Help! programme provides parents and full time carers with information, advice and support. It helps develop an understanding of autism spectrum disorders and positive strategies, as well as knowledge of rights, benefits and of local support services.

Who can attend the programme?

It is open to parents and carers of school age children, young people or adults, who have received a diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) within the last 18 months. However, families who have received a diagnosis earlier than this are welcome to contact Autism New Zealand inc. for further discussion.

What does it cost?

The programme is delivered free to parents/carers.

About the Programme

The programme is offered in three age groups: 5-11 years 11-16 years 16 – adult

Up to ten families can attend each programme.

Sessions include presentations, group discussions and video material.

The 20 hour programme, which consists of six sessions, includes the following topics:

• Session 1 – Introduction and sharing experiences of diagnosis
• Session 2 – Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Session 3 – Communication
• Session 4 – Behaviour
• Session 5 – Education (or adult life)
• Session 6 – Legislation and benefits


A help! Parent Manual, including handouts, information booklets and leaflets, and a pack containing information for a personal profile folder for your son or daughter is included in the programme.

Where possible local professionals and Autism New Zealand Inc. staff will attend relevant sessions.

When and where are the sessions held?

The help! Programme Coordinator will liaise with Autism New Zeand branches, organizations, parent groups and local professionals to determine the age group to be covered and where the programme might be held. Autism New Zealand members and peopl whose names are on the help! database are informed of forthcoming programmes.

The programme may consist of a mix of day and evening sessions.

Attendance on the 20 hour help! Programme

Help! Is a 20 hour programme and therefore families should attend all six sessions. We appreciate that committing to attending this full programme may be difficult for some families. Please contact Autism New Zealand Inc to discuss your personal situation.

How do I apply for a place on the programme?

Please contact Autism NZ to discuss forthcoming programmes in your area. Once we have your details they will be kept on a database which will help to inform of future programmes. You will be contacted when a programme relevant to your circumstances is being delivered.

The benefits of the programme

Following a diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder, many parents and carers feel isolated and unaware of what to do next. By providing basic information on communication and behaviour strategies and education and benefits parents are given guidance on how to support their child now and in the future.

The strength of the help! Programme is the sharing of experiences, learning together and reducing isolation. Families attending the programme have said:

“It was good to share with other people who understand our situation and not to be told that things can’t be as bad as we say they are.”

“I have learnt more during these six weeks than in two years of reading all the books and surfing the net.”

“For the first time in 11 years I am able to communicate with my son.”

“Our son now receives ten hours of support at school.”

“The help! Programme was the first real, comprehensive support that we have had. Life is still tough. However, we are using some of the techniques and they are helping us.”

Implementing FACS  top

Functional Assessment Comprehension Skills

This is an observational tool developed by Louise Ulliana for use by parents, teachers and speech therapists who support students with an autism spectrum disorder. The purpose of the tool is to identify the level of comprehension of the student and link this to the level of supoort they will require in different settings and during different tasks.

Participants will:
• work in teams transcribing a video clip of a students interaction
• be guided through the use of the tool in analysing that transaction
• develop the framework of a report from the transcription

Participants or teams will need to bring theoir FACS manual to this workshop. The manual can be purchased from Autism New Zealand ($57.95) prior to the workshop. Max. 20 participants unless attending in teams.

Cost

Early Registration: $100.00
Late Registration: $130.00

Dates and Venue

Currently we do not have have this course scheduled. Please email Training@autismnz.org.nz for further details or ring 0800 AUTISM (288 476) and ask for Michelle (ext 704)

How do I register?

Please complete this registration form and fax to National Office: 03 339-2649 or post to:

Autism New Zealand Inc.
P O Box 42052
Tower Junction
Addington
Christchurch 8149
New Zealand

Introduction to Advanced Strategies for Autism Spectrum Disorders  top

A Presentation by Celeste Littek (M.Ed.Dip.T)

Overview
A full day programme in which participants will further develop their use of:

• Visuals (sharing of useful visuals and linking to the cognition triad)
• Explore Anxiety (introduction to management strategies)
• Communication (including an introduction to the observational tool Functional Assessment of Comprehension Skills (FACS), useful for planning communication goals
• Introduction to socialisation skills such as Social Stories, Comic Book Conversations, Exploring Feelings Programmes, and Relationship Development Intervention (RDI).
• Introduction to augmentative and alternate communication ideas such as Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).

Participants will be asked to identify a student they support and the strategies in use. They will then have an opportunity to develop new strategies for the student and practise writing a Social Story or other ideas for the student. The programme runs from 9am to 3pm.

Who Should attend?
Suitable for teachers (Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary), Teacher Aides/Educational Support Workers, Parents/Carers, Family/whanau and Specialists.

Pre-Requisites
Participants must have completed either of the following Autism New Zealand courses: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders, Implications for Learning or Recognising the Needs of Children and Young People with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, or the NAS EarlyBird Programme.

Important
Participants are encouraged to bring examples of visuals, schedules, and ideas that they have found successful to share with other participants (the best ideas are those discovered by carers and professionals).

How do I register?
To be able to participate in this programme a registration form must be completed and returned to Autism New Zealand National Office.

Cost:

Early Registration: $100.00

Late Registration: $130.00

Duration: 9.00 am to 3.00 pm

For further details of more courses for 2008
Please email: Training@autismnz.org.nz for further details or ring 0800 AUTISM (288 476) and ask for Michelle

For a Registration Form - Please Download here, print and post or fax. *

Please email us at Training@autismnz.org.nz or call us on 0800 AUTISM (288 476) for more information. If you would prefer to receive a registration form by post please include your postal address.

When completed please post to:

Autism New Zealand Inc.
P O Box 42052
Tower Junction
Addington
Christchurch 8149
New Zealand

or Fax: 03 339-2649

About the Writer/Presenter—Celeste Littek

Celeste Littek (M.Ed.-Dip.T) has over 25 years of personal and professional experience in the field of Autism. She worked as a regular and Early Intervention teacher prior to becoming a private consultant on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). She delivers training to parents/whanau (e.g., ‘NAS EarlyBird Programme’), teachers, specialists, and support workers (e.g., ‘SPELL programme’). She has developed, co-developed and delivered several training programmes for Autism New Zealand and the Ministry of Education, and (e.g., ‘Tips for Autism Programme’; ‘Early Identification and Service Delivery to Preschoolers with Autism’; ‘Recognising the Needs of Children and Young People with Autism and Asperger Syndrome’).

Other training programmes she has developed include ‘Using Social Stories with Children who have ASD’, ‘Collaborative Early Intervention and Family Service Plans for Children who have ASD’, and ‘ASD—Early Detection and Intervention’. Celeste has also used social skills programmes such as ‘Exploring Feelings’ and ‘Relationship Development Intervention’. Her research has focused social inclusion of people who have ASD and developing collaborative intervention models in New Zealand.

Understanding the Autistic Spectrum; Implications For Learning  top

Course Overview

Understanding the Autistic Spectrum; Implications for Learning, will introduce participants to the Autism Spectrum and the learning differences of these students.

It will give an understanding of the Spectrum and help plan for Student Success.

What will the course cover?

Introduction to the Spectrum
(a more developed introduction)

How to modify the curriculum for those with an autism spectrum disorder

Focus on high functioning autism
(including Asperger’s Syndrome) or,

Focus on Low functioning autism
(including Kanner’s Syndrome)

Suitable to adapt for all students on the autism spectrum

Develop strategies which best suit your supported student

Practical focus on age and/or ability

Can focus on Early Childhood, Primary or, Secondary School aged students

Aim

Participants will develop strategies which best suit the student they support with an autism spectrum disorder.


Who should attend?

Suitable for two or more team members ie: parent and teacher. Also suitable for staff and professional development, parents, teachers, specialists and educational support teams.

Duration

This is a six hour training programme run throughout New Zealand.

Cost

$100.00 per delegate per six hour course
Late Registration $130.00

Upcoming courses for 2008
New dates to be announced shortly



For further details of more courses in 2008
Please email: Training@autismnz.org.nz for further details or ring 0800 AUTISM (288 476) and ask for Michelle

For a Registration Form - Please Download here, print and post or fax. *

When completed please post to:

Autism New Zealand Inc.
P O Box 42052
Tower Junction
Addington
Christchurch 8149
New Zealand

or Fax: (03) 339 2649

NAS EarlyBird^®Programme  top

The NAS EarlyBird^® Programme (N.A.S. - National Autistic Society, UK) is free for families of pre-schooler’s (under 5 years) to support parents between diagnosis and school placement.

This programme is set up to help families understand their child's autism spectrum disorder and assist parents and caregivers gain skills to help with their child’s social communication and behaviour at home before they start school.

This is a 2 month programme that combines group training sessions for parents and caregivers with individual home visits. A maximum of 6 families will be on any one programme at one time. Parents need to commit to a (four) six hour training sessions and four (1-2 hour) home visits, and ongoing work with their child during the programme.

An information meeting will be held when there are enough families in an area, living within a two hour drive from the venue.

Who can participate

Applications are accepted from parents/carers of pre-school children with a diagnosis. Two parents or carers should attend.

Expression of Interest Form

In order to put your child on the waiting list for this program you will need to complete an Expression of Interest Form. You will not be obligated to take part in this program if you complete the form.

The waiting list is important because it allows us to know which families are needing to attend the programme and helps us to keep you informed about opportunites for you and your child.

This programme has been funded by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education

Please Download the Expression of Interest form here *, print and post or fax to:

National Office of Autism New Zealand Inc.
Phone 0800 autism (0800 288 476) or
03 339 2627 x 704
Fax 03 339 2649 or
Email Training@autismnz.org.nz for further details

S.P.E.L.L. Training  top

A maximum of 30 people will be permitted to attend each course. There is NO charge to parents, family/whanau and volunteers to attend this course.
Priority is given to parents and their support people including respite caregivers, teacher aides and other 'hands on' support staff.

Course Content
This course has been developed to replace and update current training in Autism theory and practice, and, to provide up to date knowledge and information on Autism Spectrum Disorders.


S - Structure
P - Positive Expectations and Approaches
E - Empathy
L - Low Arousal
L - Links

Topics covered will be:
History of ideals and implications for intervention
Range of gender basis of condition
Overview of causes
Diagnostic issues - associated conditions
Definitions and classifications
Prevalence
Characteristics of Autism
Understanding Autism at a cognitive level
Understanding difficulties of individuals with Autism and their families
Responding to Autism - an overview of approaches
Understanding quality of life issues
Implications for teaching and learning
Framework for understanding and responding to Autistic Spectrum Disorders
SPELL - An overview and introduction

Upcoming Course Details for 2008:

Tauranga
Date: 4^th & 5^th August 2008
Venue: Hotel Armitage
Closing Date: 21^st July 2008

Hawke's Bay
Date: 14^th & 15^th October 2008
Venue: To be announced
Closing Date: 29^th September 2008

New Plymouth
Date: 21^st & 22^nd October 2008
Venue: Devon
Closing Date: 6^th October 2008

Manawatu/Wanganui
Date: 18^th & 19^th November 2008
Venue: Coachman
Closing Date: 11^th November 2008

Gisborne
Date: 24^th & 25^th February 2009
Venue: Emwerald Hotel
Closing Date: 9^th Febrauary 2009

Auckland
Date: 10^th & 11^th March 2009
Venue: Waipuna
Closing Date: 24^th February 2009

Christchurch
Date: 24^th & 25^th March 2009
Venue: Chateau
Closing Date: 10^th March 2009

Wellington
Date: 7^th & 8^th April 2009
Venue: Captial Gateway
Closing Date: 24^th March 2009

Hamilton
Date: 21^th & 22^th April 2009
Venue: Novotel
Closing Date: 7^th April 2009

Nelson and Marlborough
Date: 5^th & 6^th May 2009
Venue: Blenhiem Country Hotel (Scenic Circle)
Closing Date: 21^th April 2009

Rotorua
Date: 19^th & 20^th May 2009
Venue: Novotel
Closing Date: 5^th May 2009

Greymouth
Date: 9^th & 10^th June 2009
Venue: Ashley Hotel
Closing Date: 26^th May 2009

Auckland
Date: 23^th & 24^th June 2009
Venue: Waipuna
Closing Date: 9^th June 2009

For further details of more courses for 2008
Please email: Training@autismnz.org.nz for further details or ring 0800 AUTISM (288 476) and ask for Michelle (extention 704)

The courses will run from approximately 9.00am till 3.00pm. Morning Tea and Lunch will be provided. A registration form needs to be completed and returned to Autism New Zealand Inc, National Office.

Venues are subject to change, please check your confirmation letter once registered very carefully.

For a Registration Form - Please Download here, print and post or fax. *

Please email us at Training@autismnz.org.nz or call us on 0800 AUTISM (288 476) for more information. If you would prefer to receive a registration form by post please include your postal address.

When completed please post to:

Autism New Zealand Inc.
P O Box 42052
Tower Junction
Addington
Christchurch 8149
New Zealand

or Fax: (03) 339 2649

Writing Social Stories^© - Carol Gray Video Workshops  top

Social Stories^© are an educational tool developed by American Educator & Autistic Spectrum Disorder(ASD) Consultant Carol Gray.

The result of using a Social Story^© is often renewed sensitivity of others to the experience of the person with ASD, and an improvement in the response of the person with ASD

Autism New Zealand Inc. will not be running these video workshops as it has in the past, rather we will have the tapes available to hire through National Office. Individuals or groups can borrow these and purchase a workbook to enable them to work through the workshop themselves. The tapes will be $10.00 to borrow for a two week period, and the workbooks $20.00 each.

If you are interested please email us at info@autismnz.org.nz or call us on 0800 AUTISM (0800 288 476) to request more information.

If you want to know more about Autism New Zealand Inc. in general please contact:

Email: info@autismnz.org.nz - National Office
Phone: 0800 AUTISM (288 476)

(+64) 03 332-1038
Fax: (+64) 03 332-1024

or address correspondence to:
   P O Box 7305
   Sydenham
   Christchurch
   NEW ZEALAND

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