Altogether Autism

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].

📚 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:

Outbursts at School - 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.

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]

📚 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 👇

Our friends at Grow Ltd are running Neurodiversity 201: Autism, ADHD and beyond, a follow-on workshop from Neurodiversity 101.

The workshop dives deeper into strategies to support a high quality life for neurodivergent people.

📅 21 September
⏰ 9am–3.30pm
💻 Online via Zoom

You must have completed Neurodiversity 101, delivered on 14 September, or a similar course to enrol.

Find out more and register:

ADHD | Grow Grow offers ADHD professional development in Auckland. Explore 201 Neurodiversity: Autism, ADHD and beyond. Training experts in New Zealand since 2005.

Cooking can be joyful, a way to connect, care, follow a special interest, or nourish ourselves.

But sometimes, cooking is just another thing that needs to happen.

Food doesn’t need to be fancy. A scoop or two of refried beans, some lentils and your favourite spice mix can make a very passable (if inauthentic) dhal at a pinch.

Refried beans are also a handy straight-from-the-fridge option when you need something quick, filling and all one texture.

We want to hear from low-spoon cooks and those who love the kitchen: what are your favourite meals or kitchen tips?

🌟 Join us as we explore Social Stories and other front-loading strategies - practical tools that can support Autistic children by helping to reduce anxiety and create positive, inclusive environments.

✍️ Registration is required
📅 17 September 2026
⏰ 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
🏷️ $80
💻 Online via Zoom
👇 Link to register in the comments.

Social Stories and other front-loading strategies to support Autistic children - 17/09/2026 - Your Way Kia Roha This workshop will explore social stories and other front-loading strategies, and how these can be used to support Autistic children.

Today we’re at the What's Outside the Box? Expo!

Everyone loves our Takiwātanga pens. We’re having a great day meeting so many rangatahi and tangata whaitakiwātanga.

It’s also great to catch up with so many of our disability service provider friends who have stalls here too.

Ngā mihi to everyone who has stopped by to say hi. We’re having a great time!

Our friends at Grow Ltd are hosting Neurodiversity 101: Autism, ADHD and beyond on 14 September.

The workshop explores neurodiversity, neurodivergent experiences, strengths-based approaches, and practical ways to support neurodivergent people.

📅 14 September
🕘 9am–3.30pm
💻 Online via Zoom

Find out more and register here:

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

Research request 📣

We're sharing a research opportunity from researchers at the University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha.

Researchers are inviting autistic adults (18+) to take part in a half-day co-design wānanga exploring how digital technologies could make community healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand more accessible.

The project is co-designed with autistic researchers and includes autistic co-facilitation.

Participants can attend:
📍 Christchurch – 9 September 2026 (in person or online)
📍 Wellington – 28 October 2026 (in person)

You can take part if you:
✅ Are 18 years or older
✅ Identify as autistic (formally diagnosed or self-identifying)

For more information and to register, see the links in the comments. 👇

If you have any questions about the research, you can contact Professor Laurie McLay at [email protected] or Dr Ruth Monk at [email protected].