Mind Matters. Branch Office

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1 Mind Matters Branch Office Room 18, 1 st Floor, Community House, 50 Halifax Street, Nelson Tel: Nelson-Marlborough@autismnz.org.nz Nelson Marlborough Branch Newsletter October 2012 Office Hours 10 am 3 pm Monday to Friday (closed School Holidays) (Hours may vary, so please ring to make an appointment) From the Chairperson.. elcome to all our new families W and new members. Where has the year gone, it seems impossible that this is the last newsletter of the year! The new office is up and running and it is great that our families can now visit us, as well as having a base to work from. Yet again the Junior/Youth Group did so well at Ten Pin Bowling in September, everyone seemed to enjoy this activity, even the odd Mum who had a go! The older teenage/young adult group continue to meet regularly at De Ville Café, New Street, Nelson and have also been Ten Pin Bowling and off to the movies. Thanks to Nelson City Council, we have secured further funding which will enable us to offer these activities next year. As we get near the end of the year, our thoughts turn to next year and what that means for all of us. Transition is something we all need to know more about and we can ease our way into next year with a few basic strategies and practical ideas. Please join us on Wednesday 7 November at City Church, Nelson for an interesting morning on Transition and feedback on the Autism NZ International Conference recently held in Auckland. This will be presented by Viv Nelson, Field Officer & Jill Hounsell, Chairperson. We will look at transition into school, transition between classes, transition to college, and if there is interest we will also cover transition from college to the big wide world. Details follow in the newsletter. Thanks to everyone who has supported the Branch this year and of course to Viv Nelson, Field Officer and the hard working committee and volunteers who do so much behind the scenes. Cheers, Jill Hounsell, Chairperson Girls Day Expo a Huge Thank You! The Girls Day Expo held on Sunday 14 October was a great success and raised valuable funds for our Branch. A huge Thank You to Jackie Tribe for organizing this event, as well as everyone who attended and the various businesses who supported us with Raffle prizes. Inside this issue: New Office Chairperson Thank You Moving is Fun Early Intervention Playgroup Dance Classes Summer Holiday Programme Transition Forum Discussion Respite Care Services Fun Activities Christmas Picnic Social Groups: Teenage/ Young Adults and Adults Tips & Ideas for Transition 5 to College 6 Books to Borrow 7 Support Groups Thanks to... Autism NZ Inc 8

2 Page 2 October Mind Matters Moving is Fun A gymnastic based movement class for children for with physical activity limitations. Thursday Richmond Town Hall (Tasman Recreational Resource Centre) Just Gymnastics has identified a movement need for primary aged children with physical special needs and has developed a specialised class to help with the child s development, confidence, participation and enjoyment in physical activity. Enrolment is essential and funding may be available to assist with attendance costs. To discuss your child s needs, please call Linda on Contact : Linda & Steve Mace: Tel ; just.gym@xtra.co.nz Supported by: Little Stars Early Intervention Playgroup Time: Every Wednesday morning during term time am to noon St Barnabus Church, Main Rd, Stoke. Come along and enjoy a coffee and chat with other families who have a child/children with a disability and/or special needs. Toys, activities, singing and outdoor area (enclosed & safe) This is a very friendly and welcoming group which also has input from Speech & Language therapists, Physiotherapists & Occupational therapist s For further information contact: CCS Nelson Tel New - Dance Classes for Children with special needs This is a new initiative for our special kids. Peta Spooner of Peta Spooner Academy of Dance will be running these classes. Peta has many years experience of teaching students to dance, as well as working with children with special needs. Who: Primary or intermediate aged children with special needs. (currently 5-10 is the age range, but can go up to 12) Cost: on Tuesdays Peta Spooner s Dance studio in Pioneer Park, Nelson $5 per session (parent group is applying for a Council subside to cover the rest of the costs) Important: Parents MUST STAY for the entire session (this is a health and safety requirement) If you are interested please Jody Piper jody.piper@gmail.com Are you on e mail? Do we have your address? If you don t receive s from us and would like to, please the Branch: Nelson-Marlborough@autismnz.org.nz and we ll make sure we have you on our e mail distribution list. If you have changed e mail address please let us know.

3 Mind Matters October Page 3 Summer Holiday Programmes The Art and Fun Holiday Programme run in October was very successful. We will let you know about other Holiday Programmes by once we have details. If you are not on , please give the Branch a call and we can let you know what is available. Word of Advice. If you are considering other Holiday programmes (OSCAR funded) that are available throughout the region, please advise in writing on the enrolment form and tell the staff that your child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In theory your child cannot be excluded from an OSCAR funded Holiday Programme because they have ASD, but if you do not inform staff before and your child has a behavior problem, the child can be removed from the programme. You are invited to join us for a Forum on Transition - tips and ideas! Jill Hounsell, Chairperson and Viv Nelson, Field Officer will present tips and ideas to help you manage Transition. This will cover a variety of transition situations from going to pre school, going to primary school, change of class each year, transition to college and if there is demand we will look at Transition to life beyond college. Viv will also give us a brief update on the recent Autism NZ Conference held in Auckland. We hope that you can join us. Wednesday 7 November 2012 Time: Cost: RSVP: 9.15 am to pm City Church, Montgomery Square Car park, Nelson (Entrance in corner near Rebel Sport/Briscoes & Yazoo café) $5 (Beneficiaries exempt) Please let us know if you wish to attend by Monday 5 November. Nelson-Marlborough@autismnz.org.nz or phone the Branch on It would be helpful to have details of which transition area you are interested in. Respite Care Service give them a call to see if they can help you Flexi-Respite Service with NZCare Our flexi-respite service is up and running. Funded through the Ministry of Health, our service is accessible to families who have a child or young person with ASD. NZCare is able to offer a variety of options to families. We work with the family to identify the respite requirements of the family and the best way we can meet those needs. As our service is flexible the hours can be regular or just as needed. One of our families choosing regular respite has their teenager supported away from the home for one weekend every month. Some others are choosing to save their allocation for school holiday times. In the recent school holidays we provided respite for a number of families with children requiring support. Some of these families requested in-home care for their family member while others opted for out-of -home care, where they could choose what the family member might like to do. Our support workers are enthusiastic and very happy to go to the playground, the library, shops, pools, etc. We also have host families for those wanting their family member to have a home away from home. At NZCare we are happy to be flexible to meet the needs of the family. Please feel free to contact us to discuss possible options. Caley Brooks, (03) , or Barbara Clere on (03)

4 Page 4 October Mind Matters Fun Activities for our ASD Kids We would like to offer our ASD kids the opportunity to meet each other and do some fun stuff. Our goal is to encourage our children and young people to exercise, have fun and feel great about themselves. A huge Thank You to Nelson City Council for supporting this initiative Junior & Youth Group Activity Christmas Picnic, Natureland at Tahuna, Nelson Who: Cost: Bring: Weather: Important Notes: For our kids and young people with ASD & their families. Saturday 8 December 2012 at 12 noon Natureland, Tahunanui, Nelson $2.00 per child/ young person. (Under age 2 is free) $5.00 per adult. A picnic, something to sit on. If wet cancelled. A caregiver/parent must be with each young person. Please Register: Nelson-Marlborough@autismnz.org.nz with your name, contact details & address, name of student, age and how many other children are coming. Thanks to Nelson City Council for contributing to this event. Teenage/Young Adult Group Activity If you are a person between 15 years & 25 years who has Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism and would like to meet and talk with other young people with ASD, come and join us for an afternoon. Every Monday from 2.30pm to 4.30 pm (but check school holidays) Things you need to know: Café De Ville, New Street, Nelson Person with ASD must be fairly independent and able to be left at a table on their own A parent or caregiver MUST need to attend initially. (They will sit at a different table to you) Food & Drink at your own cost. For more information contact our Field officer Viv Nelson. viv.nelson@autismnz.org.nz or Tel: and leave a message New Support Group for Golden Bay We are pleased to announce the first Support Group Meeting for families with children & young people with ASD. Paula Meer ASD Coordinator with NMDHB & Jill Hounsell, Chairperson Autism NZ Nelson/Marlborough will be attending along with other professionals such as RTLB & a Paediatrician 11 am Monday 19 November 2012 Where : to be advised Invites will be sent out and e mail reminder. For more information give us a call at the Branch on New Adult ASD Support Group Due to insufficient numbers attending we have suspended this group. We hope to have this up & running again early next year. If you are an adult age 25 and over who has Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism, and would like to meet with other people who have ASD, please contact the Branch: Phone on or e mail viv.nelson@autismnz.org.nz.

5 Mind Matters October Page 5 Nelson/Marlborough Branch Tips & Ideas for Transition to College M oving from Primary school and Intermediate to College is a huge step for our ASD Kids & Families. One of the biggest challenges is the fact it is so different; the variety of subjects, number of teachers your young person will have & to be fair to them, they only teach that student for a short period of time most days. There are new sets of rules, many unwritten and expectations of Self Management, something very hard for our kids. However, there are good points some of our kids really benefit from the regular timetable, moving from one class to another is a natural break for them. Here are a few ideas that may help and we also have copies of material/ ideas other parents have used. Get Prepared Early! Check out your options and talk to other parents if possible. Ideally visit a year before so you get a feel of what the College is like. Talk to them about what help will be available transition, teacher aide support, buddy system, quiet retreat area, etc. Meet with the school/college in Term 3 /4 If you have already decided, the next step is to make an appointment to see the College Councilor or Special Education Needs Coordinator to discuss your young person. It is important to be open and start to form a good working relationship. You know your child best, but you need to pass on as much information as you can to help the College. Be prepared before the meeting & write everything down. Here are a few suggestions: Teacher Support Notes should be limited to 2 sides A4 (An example is available) Put together information including an over view of your child, a photo, their likes, dislikes, strengths, difficulties like organisation, listening, sensory problems, anxiety & behaviour signs of meltdown, calming strategies. Ideally every teacher your child will have should have a copy of these notes at the beginning of the new Term. Be a detective Try to find out as much as you can see a typical college day through your child s eyes/ears. What are the rules, are there air dryers in the toilets, safe/quiet place for break time and homework what is expected & is there a homework diary. An example of the type of information/ questions you may need to know is available. Transition Visits - giving our kids time to see and experience what college is like, is essential. Try to arrange a number of visits for part of a day/ whole day, so that the child gets to see what classrooms are like, the noise buzzer/bells that warn change of class, toilets, gym, library. Attending Assembly is also a good idea. Be aware of sensory overload may need ear plugs & make sure they are near the end of a row easy exit if it gets too much. Get a plan of buildings and take photos, so you can show your child a visual plan of the important places office, toilets (make sure they know how to tell male/ female toilets!!), library etc. This is a good opportunity to show them what a Timetable is and how it works. To Tell or not to Tell! This can be a tricky problem and is individual choice. The college teachers must know that the student has ASD, so that they can prepare and understand the difficulties that the student may have. Your child s peer group will know they are different, especially as they approach puberty. Being up front makes it clear to everyone that they must make allowances and be understanding. Some students have written a letter to their classmates & teachers to be given out on Day 1. Discuss with your young person how this could be done and encourage them to use their own words. Samples are available. We also have a recommended reading list to help a young person with ASD/Aspergers. Timetables These can be very confusing & are different for each college. Often our kids will have huge anxiety because they don t know what is coming next, what is expected of them. Understanding the Timetable will really help.

6 Page 6 October Mind Matters Usually a Timetable isn t available until just before the start of the Term, so it s important to get this e mailed or pick up from college as soon as available, along with details of which class the student is in and the names of teachers by subject, important people like the Principal, office staff, teacher aides, canteen staff. Photos are great if available. Ideally put the Timetable on a computer and set up in an easy to read format. This can be put up at home and used as a visual reminder to make sure the correct books/gear is packed. If possible set up a daily timetable so that the child can easily refer to it during the day. Uniform Get this as early as possible & label everything. Wash items several times & have your child try them on and wear it a few times to check for sensory issues. Travel to/from school How will the child get to college if using a bus, make sure you practice several times. Also take into account the noise factor of other students may need ear plugs. Make sure you give your child plenty of down time when they get home. They will be exhausted & be prepared for behaviour problems. Communicate with the School/College Set up a Home/College communication system. Stay in touch (often by e mail) to see how things are going. Anxiety Remember your child s anxiety will be huge prepare, try to make life easier and use visual/ written information so they know what is happening and so reduce stress. Make sure you have some calming strategies to help reduce stress. Lots of water & peppermints can help throughout the day. Look after yourself this is a very stressful time! More information The following samples of material used by other parents are available from the Branch. Disclosure Story - telling the school/college teachers, peer group about ASD. Sample of Teacher Support Notes Information book Set out visual/written instructions for the child about what school/college will be like using the photos & information you have gathered. Go over this with your child & keep it somewhere they can refer to. It is very important to show them coming home & when the end of the college day is. Visit College - over the holidays or the few days prior to start of Term when it is quiet. Count down a week or so beforehand count down the days until college starts use a visual. Day 1 Will not be like any other day it will be very different and often chaotic with new books issued, meeting new classmates etc. Try to get an outline of what to expect and write it down/visual of what the day may be like. Ask for Buddies to help out during break times. Your job Is to make life as easy as possible. Pack the child s bag the night before; help them get organised right books/equipment, daily timetable, PE Gear. We want them to be independent but this is not the time to add extra stress. Sample of questions/things to find out Sample of Typical College Day Sample of a Timetable & Daily Timetable Sample of College Rules Sample of Day 1 information Recommended Reading for young People with ASD/Aspergers Autism NZ Nelson/Marlborough Room 18, Community House, 50 Halifax Street, Nelson 7010 Tel Nelson-Marlborough@autismnz.org.nz

7 Mind Matters October Page 7 Books Available To Borrow We are currently building a library of resource books which are available to borrow free of charge. 1. Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin (My Life with Autism) 2. Asperger Syndrome by Tony Attwood (A guide for parents and professionals) 3. The New Social Story Book by Carol Gray 4. Visual Strategies for Improving Communication by Linda Hodgdon (Practical supports for Home and School) 5. Solving Behaviour Problems in Autism by Linda Hodgdon (Improving Communication with Strategies) 6. Asperger s Syndrome by Winter (What Teachers Need to Know) 7. Various Autism Spectrum Quarterly Magazines 8. Asperger s What does it mean to me? by C Faherty. 9. Congratulations! It s Asperger Syndrome by Jen Birch 10. Taking Care of Myself by Mary Wrobel 11. Toilet Training For Individuals With Autism by Maria Wheeler 12. Exposure Anxiety - The Invisible Cage by Donna Williams 13. The curious incident of the dog in the night time by Mark Haddon 14. Kiwi Social Skill 1 by Tautoko Services. 15. Kiwi Social Skill 2 by Tautoko Services 16. Jenison Journal - Gray s Guide to Bullying 17. Relationship Development Intervention with Children, Adolescents and Adults by Steven Gutstein & Rachelle Sheely 18. Conference Notes Rotorua 2005 Unwrapping the Gift - Focus on Ability 19. What is Asperger syndrome, and how does it affect me? - A guide for young people. 20. I have Autism What s that? by K Doherty& Ors. 21. Making it a Success by Sue Larkey. 22. The Essential Guide To Secondary School by Sue Larkey & Anna Tullemans. 23. How To Stop Your Words Bumping Into Someone Else s by Anna Tullemans & Rhonda Dixon. 24. Practical Sensory Programmes for Students with ASD by Sue Larkey. 25. Socially Speaking by Alison Schoeder 26. Surviving Social Situations in NZ by Tautoko Services. 27. All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome by Kathy Hoopman 28. Exploring Feelings Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to Manage ANXIETY by Dr Tony Attwood 29. Exploring Feelings Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to Manage ANGER by Dr Tony Attwood 30. Putting the Pieces Together; Helping young children understand ASD by Sue Larkey & Gay Von Ess 31. Aspergers and Girls by Tony Atwood, Temple Grandin e.a. 32. No More Meltdowns by Dr Jed Baker 33. Thriving in Adulthood with Asperger s Syndrome by Craig Kendall 34. Behaviour Solutions for the Inclusive Classroom by Beth Aune, Beth Burt & Peter Gennaro 35. Teacer Assisstants Big Blue Book of ideas by Sue Larkey & Anna Tullemans 36. Special Girls Business 37. Special Boys Business Games & Activities for Childen with Autism & Aspergers by Tara Dalaney These books are available by post or collect from : Yvon Smit s shop Jewel beetle, Upstairs above Whitcoulls, 240 Trafalgar Street, Nelson. Phone E mail yvon@jewelbeetle.co.nz Thank you to Fresh Choice Richmond for donating $200 for new books for our library. Please return our books to the Branch Library! We all want to use them and they have cost us a lot of money! For books which are not returned an invoice for the full cost of the book, will be sent to the person who borrowed it.

8 Page 8 Nelson Marlborough Branch Field Officer: Viv Nelson Room 18, 1 st Floor Community House 50 Halifax St, Nelson 7010 Phone: Nelson-Marlborough@autismnz.org.nz Office hours 10 am 3 pm (closed school holidays) (Please ring to make an appointment) About Us Note: Come & Join Us Meet other parents who understand, exchange ideas/information, & have a laugh! Support Group Nelson am Thursday 1 November am Thursday 29 November 2012 De Ville Café New Street, Nelson Venue is child friendly with gate at the entrance. We are a group of parents, who work on a voluntary basis, offering support and information to other families who have someone with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Nelson & Marlborough region. Key Activities Support Group Marlborough Thanks to Lyn Caughey of SF Marlborough (Supporting Families in Wellbeing) for hosting this on our behalf am the first Tuesday of every month Family Room at the office of SF Marlborough 4 Scott Street, Blenheim Everyone is very welcome. Provide parents and carers with support, Information & advice Field Officer Support Provide information to professionals and liaise with other agencies Provide workshops Raise awareness of ASD Provide a Newsletter with information, and what is happening locally Books available from our Branch Library Support Groups National Office P O Box 6455 Marion Square Wellington 6141 Phone: Bookstore/Library: Phone: 0800 autism ( ) Support Group Golden Bay 11 am Monday19 November 2012 TBA Our thanks to : Tasman District Council The Canterbury Community Trust Network Tasman Trust Community Organisation Grants Scheme NZ Lottery Grants Board The Lion Foundation Nelson City Council Lioness Club of Nelson The Autism NZ Inc (Nelson/Marlborough Branch) does not necessarily support, endorse or recommend any method, treatment, product, programme, or therapist for those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. We do, however, seek to inform, in the belief that you have the right to know, so that you may make informed choices.