Growing up with Autism

GROWING UP WITH AUTISM

Information Sheet for Families October 2013

Growing up with Autism (Brereton and Tonge, 2005) is an evidence based education and skills training programme for families/caregivers of adolescents aged 11-16 years of age who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This programme is fully funded by The Ministry of Health.

Why do this course?

 To meet with other families who have adolescent children with autism to share experiences.  To learn more about the developmental stages of adolescence and the changes it brings in physical, cognitive and social/personality development in the young person  To learn more about understanding and managing social, emotional and behavioural problems that adolescents with autism may be experiencing  To find out about evidence based interventions  To learn about wider support services  To increase awareness of how to support the development of functional skills in a range of areas such as: communication, self-management and social interaction

The programme

Growing up with Autism works with families for 20 weeks and over that time families will attend 10 group sessions and have 10 individual sessions as follows: Session One – Introduction Group Session: Outline and goals of the programme; ASD symptom; Changes from childhood to adolescence Individual session: Your adolescent’s development and changes in ASD symptoms Session Two – Adolescence: What is this Developmental Stage? Group Session: Changes in cognition (thinking) and learning; Parental concerns Individual session: Your adolescents stage of cognition and implications for you Session Three – Physical and Sexual Development Group Session: A changing body; Looking and feeling different Individual session: What’s happening for your child? Session Four – Managing Sexual Development Group Session: Personal hygiene; Modesty and masturbation Individual session: How is your adolescent managing these issues? Session Five – The Social World of Adolescents with ASD Group Session: Exploring ‘who I am’; Increasing social skills

IDEA Specialist Services: Growing up with Autism October 2013 Page 1 of 4 Individual session: Social problems you and your adolescent Session Six – Adjusting and Well Being Group Session: Understanding and managing emotional and behavioural problems Individual session: Practical session to choose relevant goals for you and your adolescent

Session Seven – Communication Group Session: Verbal; Non-verbal Individual session: Implications for you and your adolescent

Session Eight – School Group Session: Transition to secondary; Managing the school environment and school work; Talking to teachers Individual session: Implications for you and your adolescent and practical ideas Session Nine – Family Life Group Session: Family and sibling responsibilities to the adolescent with autism Individual session: Issues in your family Session Ten– Programme review Group Session: Programme review Individual session: Programme review

How is the program delivered?

Initially the first group sessions will be delivered in only four main centres from October 2013 on a fortnightly basis. There is space for up to five families in each main centre: Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin. Details about all session dates and venues will be advised when the referral is confirmed and accepted. If the October groups are full then you can be placed on a waitlist for 2014 groups when there will be more of a choice around dates/times and locations.

Who can participate?

Parents/caregivers of adolescents who are between 11-16 years of age and who have a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

How do I get this service? Parents/caregivers may self refer or professionals can refer on behalf of families with their permission by:  Online via our our webpage: http://www.ihc.org.nz/our-services/idea-specialist-services-asd-services/  Complete in the attached referral form then return completed by either: E-mail: [email protected] Post: ASD Referral Coordinator, P.O Box 4155, Wellington 6140

Scheduled group dates for 2014 will be up on our website shortly. For further enquiries contact the ASD Referral Coordinator on:

IDEA Specialist Services: Growing up with Autism October 2013 Page 2 of 4 0800 273 7587 or e-mail [email protected]

IDEA Specialist Services: Growing up with Autism October 2013 Page 3 of 4 Expression of Interest/ Referral Form: Growing up with Autism

Today’s date: / / Young persons details NAME Date of birth / / NHI Number Gender Ethnicity What diagnosis does this young person have? Who made the diagnosis:

Where was the diagnosis made date: / / and date: Parent/caregiver details Name (s) 1. 2. Relationship to child: Relationship to child: Home Number/Street: Home phone: Address: Suburb: Mobile phone: Town/city: Work phone: Post code: E-mail address: Parent/caregiver first language Session attendance Growing up with Autism is a 20 week course specifically for parents and carers of adolescents aged between 11 and 16 years. There are 10 group sessions (no larger than 5 families) and on alternative weeks, 10 individual sessions. Contact 0800 273 7587 for the group date/time in your area or see our website for scheduled dates http://www.ihc.org.nz/our-services/idea-specialist-services-asd-services/ then enter the location, day and time your wish to attend below: Group commencing on Date/Time: Location: City: Date: / / Day: Time: To be filled in by Referrers only: If this referral hasn’t been filled in by a parent/guardian please provide the following details: (*Referrer must have obtained parental/guardian consent to submit this referral) *Referrer name: Role: Organisation:

Phone number: E-mail:

Signature: Date: / /

Parental/Carer Permission: Confirmation of parents/carers agreement to this referral? Yes / No

Return by: E-mail: [email protected] OR Post: To: ASD Referral Coordinator, PO Box 4155, Wellington 6140

IDEA Specialist Services: Growing up with Autism October 2013 Page 4 of 4