Resources and education options available for children with ASD

Special education policy

A fundamental policy of special education resourcing in New Zealand is that children and young people are supported according to their needs and not their medical diagnosis. This is because different children with the same diagnosis can have vastly different needs while children with different diagnoses may have their needs addressed by very similar services.

Special education support typically accessed by young people with ASD

Children and young people with ASD have a range of abilities and needs, and live and learn in a range of different settings. The nature and extent of additional education support they access varies accordingly.

Some young people with ASD have few additional specialised support needs, particularly if they are in a structured and predictable learning environment with teachers who are responsive to the unique learning needs of every young person. Other young people need significant additional support across a number of different skill areas.

The young person's curriculum level is not always a good indicator of their support needs - high academic achievers sometimes need considerable support, while those working at earlier levels of the curriculum may need less support.

Teaching strategies which are of benefit to young people with ASD are also effective for many other young people. Teachers need the skills, knowledge and confidence to use effective teaching and learning strategies that respond to the needs of all individuals.

Education support workers (ESW) (the name given to teacher aides working in early childhood education services) and teacher aides can be a useful form of support for some young people with ASD, helping them to remain on task and manage better socially. For other young people an ESW or a teacher aide can be a barrier to social development and achievement.

The special education supports and services available are not ASD-specific - many children and young people access them.

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Advice for families

Families wanting advice about support for their child's individual needs are encouraged to contact their local Ministry of Education, Special Education District Office.

Schools and early childhood services

Schools and early childhood education services work with the Ministry of Education and their communities to assist children and young people to learn and participate in society. Schools are responsible for the education of all their students and play a key role in providing and coordinating support and funding for children with special education needs.

The parents and whānau section has a school directory which can be used to find and make contact with schools in New Zealand. Review information on each school is included in the school's profile. Additional review information can be sourced at the Education Review Office's website.

The parents and whānau section also has useful information about special education in the early years, school, secondary school, and beyond school. These pages include links to information such as choosing a school, the transition from early childhood to school, steps to meeting your child's needs and problem solving.