Ministry-funded ASD projects
Information about Ministry of Education's autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-specific research, evaluation, and professional learning and development programmes aimed at improving the quality of education and support for children and young people with ASD.
Determining the priorities for supporting children and young people with ASD
For many years the Ministry of Education was supported and advised by the ASD Advisory Reference Group. This Group identified two priorities for improving services and support for young people with ASD: provision of robust, evidence-based information, and improving the skills, knowledge and confidence of those who support the young people. These twin priorities formed the direction for additional Education funding, specifically around ASD and specifically for these purposes.
Budget 2004
Building on the advice from the ASD Advisory Reference Group, in the Education section of the government’s Budget 2004, funding was made available for a research and professional learning programme aimed at improving the quality of education and support for children and young people with ASD.
These programmes are not about direct provision of special education services. Current programmes include the following:
National ASD team
Elizabeth Doell and Joanna Curzon
Team Leaders, Research
Cheryl Palmer
Regional 'Go To' person, Central South Region
Lynne Hayes
Regional 'Go To' person, Southern Region
Stephanie McHardie
Project Officer
To contact the National ASD team: asd.mailbox@minedu.govt.nz [no spam].
Information about what is happening in health about children and young people with ASD is available on the Ministry of Health's website