The Children's Autism Foundation is about to launch Guide to Autism workshops across Northland, offering a wealth of experience and guest speakers including paediatrician and author Dr Paul G Taylor.
Free workshop venues will include Moerewa, Kerikeri and Kaitaia, for whanau/families, caregivers, education workers, support staff and community members living or working with autistic children, as part of the foundation's efforts to equip people with coping skills, strategies, knowledge and confidence to better support the children.
The facilitators, boasting extensive first-hand experience in supporting, training, therapy and advocacy for families of autistic children, will include behavioural therapist and Children's Autism Services manager Elisa Slaat, family counsellor and lead family consultant for Children's Autism Arletta van den Bosch, Dr Taylor, Disability Connect general manager Lisa Martin, and Northland co-ordinator for Altogether Autism Lynne Hansen.
Families and whanau who have a child with autism and who attend a workshop will receive a complimentary copy of Dr Taylor's book A Beginner's Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders - Essential information for parents and professionals.
Dr Taylor, who has been talking about to parents and teachers around New Zealand about autism spectrum disorder for the last 14 years, says his book reflects his strong belief that it is the people with whom the person with autism lives from day to day who are crucial for creating the changes necessary to help them flourish.
