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
Individual session: Social problems you and your adolescent
IDEA Specialist Services: Growing up with Autism
October 2013
Page 1 of 3
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 groups will be delivered in 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. There will be 5 group sessions and 5
individual sessions prior to a Christmas break. The groups will then recommence
around January/February 2014 for an additional 5 group and 5 individual sessions.
Details about where group sessions will be held will be advised when the referral is
confirmed and accepted. If spaces are taken in October groups then you can be
placed on the next spaces available in groups commencing 2014.
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?
Families/caregivers may self refer or professionals can refer on behalf of families
with their permission by:

Fill in the attached referral form then return completed by either:
E-mail:
Post:
GUWA@idea.org.nz
ASD Referral Coordinator, P.O Box 4155, Wellington 6140
For locations, dates and times contact the ASD referral coordinator
on: 0800 273 7587
IDEA Specialist Services: Growing up with Autism
October 2013
Page 2 of 3
Referral Form:
Growing up with Autism
For groups starting October 2013 – limited spaces available
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 and
date:
date:
/ /
Parent/caregiver details
Name (s)
Home
Address:
1.
2.
Relationship to child:
Relationship to child:
Number/Street:
Home phone:
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 - then enter the location, day and time your wish to attend below:
Group commencing on Date/Time:
Location:
(i.e. Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton or Dunedin)
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:
Phone number:
E-mail:
Organisation:
Signature:
Date:
Parental/Carer Permission:
Confirmation of parents/carers agreement to this referral?
Yes
/ /
/ No
Send completed referral form to: ASD Referral Coordinator, IDEA Specialist Services:
E-mail:
GUWA@idea.org.nz
Post:
PO Box 4155, Wellington 6140
IDEA Specialist Services: Growing up with Autism
October 2013
Page 3 of 3