Altogether Autism

05/09/2026

This we're celebrating 20 years of Altogether Autism! This family’s journey through their daughter's diagnosis, childhood and early adulthood precisely tracks Altogether Autism’s 20-year history 💜💙💜. When interwoven with MaryAnn’s 15-year Parent to Parent role as peer support to whānau, their story gives on-the-ground insight into the landscape travelled over the past two decades. Link in the comments 👇

This family’s journey through their daughter's autism diagnosis, childhood and early adulthood precisely tracks Altogether Autism’s 20-year history. When interwoven with MaryAnn’s 15-year Parent to Parent role as peer support to whānau, their story gives on-the-ground insight into the landsca...

03/09/2026

If an outfit feels safe and comfortable, you are allowed to wear it again. You do not owe anyone a different outfit every day.

Comfort is a valid reason for choosing what you wear.

What makes an outfit feel comfortable or sensory-friendly for you?

02/09/2026

⌛ Just 2 weeks to go! Have you secured your spot yet? See details below 👇

This workshop will explore social stories and other front-loading strategies, and how these can be used to support Autistic children.

31/08/2026

Have you registered yet? Just two weeks to go! 👇

Explore Autism ADHD through Grow's Auckland-based professional training. Enhance neurodiversity understanding since 2005. Join our expert sessions.

27/08/2026

📣 DSGNZ Conference Paving the Way for Success

Our friends at the Dyspraxia Support Group of New Zealand are hosting their 8th National Dyspraxia Conference in Christchurch this October.

The conference will bring together families, educators, therapists, researchers and adults with dyspraxia from around New Zealand for two days of learning, connection and practical strategies.
📅 2–3 October 2026
📍 Christchurch

The programme includes:
• International keynote speakers
• New Zealand experts
• Practical workshops you can immediately apply
• Lived experience presentations
• Networking opportunities

Keynote speakers include internationally recognised researchers Professor Amanda Kirby (UK), Dr Jill Zwicker (Canada) and Dr Melissa Licari (Australia), alongside New Zealand presenters including Dr Ellen Ford and Professor Kathryn MacCallum.

Link to find out more and register is in the comments 👇

25/08/2026

Strategies for Creating Inclusive Learning Environments.

How can we create learning environments that better support all learners?

Our Strategies for Creating Inclusive Learning Environments workshop offers educators and education support professionals a safe and supportive space to explore practical strategies, tools and resources.

The workshop will focus on:
🧩 Proactive strategies to support sensory needs.
💬 Inclusive communication.
🧠 Understanding and responding to behaviour as communication.

✍️ Registration is required
📅 30 September 2026
🕘 9:00am – 12:00pm
💻 Online via Zoom

Find out more and register:

This workshop offers educators and education support professionals a safe and supportive space to explore strategies, tools, and resources to create inclusive learning environments. We will focus on proactive strategies to address sensory need, inclusive communication, and understanding and respondi...

22/08/2026

Research request 📣

We're sharing a research opportunity from Alana Metz, a Master's student at the University of Canterbury.

Alana is researching Autistic Joy and wants to better understand Autistic people’s lived experiences and perspectives of joy.

Participants are invited to take part in a 60 to 90 minute interview, either online or in person in Christchurch.

Participants need to:
• Be aged 18 or older
• Identify as Autistic
• Have experienced Autistic Joy

For more information, please see the link in the comments or contact Alana Metz at [email protected].

20/08/2026

📚 Supporting autistic children at school
Outbursts at school can be a sign that a child is overwhelmed, rather than “bad behaviour”.

Our friends at Parent to Parent have a helpful resource exploring why school can be challenging for Autistic and other neurodivergent children, and ways whānau and schools can provide support.

It includes practical strategies for identifying triggers, supporting regulation, and working with schools to respond to overwhelming situations.

📖 Read the resource from Parent to Parent:

In this series for Autism Awareness Month 2026, we have put together entry-level, generalised information for common topics brought to our Support & Information team, through the Altogether Autism service.

18/08/2026

Research request 📣
We’re sharing a research opportunity from a team of Australian and New Zealand Autistic and non-Autistic researchers.

They are looking for Autistic people, parents, family members and professionals to take part in an anonymous survey about ways of supporting young Autistic children.

Who is the survey for?
• Self-identified or diagnosed Autistic people aged 16 years or over
• Parents, caregivers or family members of children under 16
• Professionals working with Autistic children

What are the survey questions about?
• Demographic information
• What’s important when supporting Autistic children
• The acceptability of 43 different ways of supporting young Autistic children

⏱️ How long will it take?
Between 15 and 30 minutes.

Link to the survey is in the comments. 👇

If you have questions about the research, please contact:
Dr Hannah Waddington
📞 (04) 463 9773
✉️ [email protected]

Charlotte Cottrell, postgraduate student
✉️ [email protected]

Brydee Dickens, postgraduate student
✉️ [email protected]

18/08/2026

📚 Check out the latest Neurodivergent Stories booklets

Our friends at Island of Misfits Community have released their latest Neurodivergent Stories booklets, sharing lived experiences and perspectives from neurodivergent people.

We were pleased to support this mahi and are proud to see these stories being shared.

Check them out below and have a read 👇