Navigating Challenges and Opportunities
For grandparents and whanau caregivers with special needs children in their care an additional layer of complexity, stress and anxiety is added to their daily lives.
This guide does not purport to cover all of the issues and options available to you to access the help that you need.
Over time our own knowledge of the best sources of help and advice will be added to this website.
If you have a special needs child in your care and would like to share your learning and best tips or your organisation can help our members please get in touch with us so that we can add it to our growing resources and post it to our website.
Child Disability Allowance
The Child Disability Allowance is a fortnightly payment made to the main carer of a child or young person with a serious disability. It is paid in recognition of the extra care and attention needed for that child. Please refer to the Work and Income website here for current information on the eligibility criteria and rates applicable.
Informative Websites on Autism
Altogether Autism
A nationwide information and advisory service for autistic people, their families, whānau and professionals working with autistic people.
About Autism Booklet: Parent to Parent
An up to date, neuroaffirming, informative guide on autism in childhood
Autism Guidelines Website
Provides information about the New Zealand Autism Guideline.
Reframing Autism
Australian Resources.
Family Services Directory
Looking for support for you and your family? The Family Services Directory lists organisations in your area that can help.
Kanorau Takiwātanga Consultants
This E-learning module aims to provide mātauranga on takiwātanga for whānau at the initial stages of their journey. It shares knowledge on a te ao Māori perspective on takiwātanga, offering support and guidance for whānau throughout the diagnosis process, along with practical tips to implement to support your taonga whaitakiwātanga.
Ministry of Education: Autism and learning
Learning about Autism.
Support Agencies
Carers NZ
A resource for carers with a wealth of information and resources.
IHC
Living with intellectual disability in New Zealand. IHC New Zealand Inc will advocate for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with an intellectual disability and support them to live satisfying lives in the community.
Kids Health
Child and youth health information site to support parents and health professionals by the Starship Foundation and Paediatric Society.
Youthlaw
Youthlaw is a specialist nationwide community law centre for children and young people under the age of 25. Youthlaw has particular expertise in education law ranging from school enrolment, discipline to special educational needs.
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