If concerned about a risk to the safety of a young person
Immediate risk: Police phone 111
Ongoing risk to a child: Oranga Tamariki phone 0800 FAMILY This is not an immediate response. In crisis where safety is an issue, call Police.
Mental Health risk: ICAMHS 24-hr phone 0800 505050 This is not an immediate response. In crisis where safety is an issue, call Police.
HELPLINES and WEB sites
Feeling anxious, feeling down
1737 Freecall or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor
Anxiety New Zealand 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)
Depression.org.nz 0800 111757 or text 4202
Mental health Foundation – free resources etc https://mentalhealth.org.nz
Thelowdown.co.nz Web chat, email chat, or free text to 5626
What’s up 0800 942 8787 for 5 to 18 yr olds. Phone counselling midday till 11pm and at weekends from 3pm to 11pm. Online chat available 3pm to 10pm daily
Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254
Feeling suicidal
1737 Freecall or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor
Samaritans 0800 726 666
Suicide Crisis helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Lifeline 0800 543 354
Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254
Yellow Brick Road 0800 732 825
Youthline 0800 376 633 Freetext 234, email chat at [email protected]
SEXUAL ABUSE LINES
Safe to talk text 4334 or call 0800 044 334 webchat safetotalk.nz or email [email protected] national helpline
The Harbour online support and info for people affected by sexual abuse
Help Auckland 0800 623 1700 24 hr helpline.
Rape Crisis line 0800 883300
Womens Refuge 0800 733 843
Shine domestic abuse services 0508 744 633
Male survivors Aotearoa go to webpage – helplines across NZ
Waikato – Male support services trust – 0800 677 289 waikatosurvivors.org.nz
Concerns re safety of a child
Oranga Tamariki for concerns about children and adolescents [email protected]
0508 326459 (0508 FAMILY)
AUTISM SPECTRUM – Organisations and support services
Altogether Autism is an organisation with a strengths-based approach to supporting people on the Autism Spectrum, and which is linked to the Parent-to-Parent organisation. Their website is: www.altogetherautism.org.nz.
Altogether Autism currently hold a contract for the provision of information about autism to parents and families, as well as to those on the spectrum themselves. Use the link below to go direct to this page. If an internet request fails to connect, as can sometimes happen, they are very helpful on the phone (0800 273 463)
https://www.altogetherautism.org.nz/information-hub/request-information/
Autism New Zealand, whose website can be found on www.autismnz.org.nz can also be a useful provider of information and resources. They have local field officers based in Hamilton, who may be able to provide support and/or information. They also run education programmes from time to time, see link below:
https://www.autismnz.org.nz/education/programmes/
For the Waikato branch, contact details are as below:
email [email protected]
website autismnz.org.nz
The local outreach coordinator is currently Sam Mayall (August 2023)
The Children’s Autism Foundation in Auckland may also be able to provide some useful resources, and can be found on www.autism.org.nz and contacted on [email protected] or by phone on 09 415 7406
Tony Attwood : http://tonyattwood.com.au/
A website for further information around Aspergers/Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Tony is one of the foremost experts on Autism, and teaches and presents to clinicians regularly. His information is always of high quality.
The Ministry of Education TIPS for Autism is a school resource for 5-13 year olds with ASD, and is a well-established programme. We recommend that parents enquire about this at the child’s school.
Autism NZ have a training programme of 6 sessions for teachers and parents, with time between each session to work on strategies taught. It is called “Tilting the see saw for teams”. Ministry of Education will fund this but it does require participation by at least one parent as well as the school.
The following websites may also be helpful:
http://seonline.tki.org.nz/ASD/Learning/tips-for-autism
http://www.tipsforautism.org.nz/
Funding and supports for young people and parents
In this region, Disability Support Link based at Thames hospital are responsible for assessing funding needs for people with a diagnosed disability, and communicating with families as to what services it is possible to provide at the present time. Some mental health diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum are covered. Referrals are generally made to DSL by clinicians, and DSL will normally triage referrals within 2 days, passing the referral on to a local co-ordinator, who will arrange for an assessor to contact the family within two weeks of receipt.
Once the assessment is completed, the family should hear back from DSL as to what services it is possible to fund for the young person.
Explore hold a behavioural support contract within this region for ages 0-65. This can be accessed via DSL, and covers those with:
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Physical/sensory disability
- Neurodevelopmental issues
- Plus neurological disorders such as severe epilepsy, motor neurone etc .
Staff will travel to the client’s home, and work in the home with client and family. Typically there are a very limited number of sessions.
Explore does not provide services in schools – this is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education.
Explore usually have a waitlist in the Waikato, so are rarely able to see a young person immediately. Their team is based in Hamilton.
They also provide an early intervention service for children under 12yrs.
Explore runs Stepping Stones – a specially adapted version of PPP parenting programme for this age-group.
Explore services specifically for Autism Spectrum
Explore have a specific programme called ASD plus for 0-7yr olds with autism – mainly a group programme for areas where this is possible.
Teen Life is a programme run mainly in the big centres (Hamilton, Tauranga) for teens on the spectrum, this has had good feedback from families and teens. Teenagers can attend even if the programme is out of the DHB boundary (they don’t use those boundaries).
Targeted parent Support – where high complexity/rigidity/social difficulties are present, Explore can provide up to 4 sessions with the family to assist.
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