FAQs
How much does it cost?
The course is fully funded by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. There is no cost to participants. In addition, up to $450 (GST excl.) is funded as a contribution towards teacher release and other costs for each team who attends.
Who is in each team?
Teams can range from 2 – 8 people depending on their individual circumstances. Family and school representation is a minimum requirement. Teams could include:
- Family members (parents, grandparents, older siblings or other family/whanau),
- School representatives (classroom teachers, SENCO, teacher’s aides, Principals, etc)
- Special education staff such as Ministry of Education, Special Education or Resource teachers – Learning and Behaviour staff - speech-language therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, special education advisors, supplementary learning support teachers etc
- Other support staff or key workers – behaviour support services, child and family centres, social workers, respite or home support staff or co-ordinators, etc.
What are the attendance criteria?
Attendance is for teams and not individuals. Each team must have a parent and teacher as a minimum - there is no maximum.
Children must be between the age of 5 and 12 years (primary age)
The child must have a diagnosis of ASD; or, where there is no formal diagnosis, all team members must agree that the child will benefit from ASD-specific supports, approaches and interventions.
Who runs the course?
The course is co-facilitated by a special educator (Ministry of Education, Special Education staff or Resource Teacher – Learning and Behaviour) and a parent who is also qualified as a teacher.
The course materials and resources are all provided by ‘tips for autism’ who are contracted by the Ministry of Education to do this. ‘tips for autism’ is also responsible for organising the courses and participants.
We are interested in attending/hosting a course. What can we do?
The Ministry of Education funds a number of courses in New Zealand each year. Further courses can be held using alternative sources of funding.
