ABOUT US

About Spectrum ConnectionsSpectrum Connections Charitable Trust is a Bay of Plenty charity supporting families raising neurodivergent children and young people, particularly those with autism and ADHD. Based in Tauranga, our kaupapa is centred on peer support, connection, education and advocacy for parents and caregivers.
You don't have to navigate it aloneRaising a neurodivergent child can mean navigating assessments, education, funding, health and disability services, long waiting lists and complex systems. Many families can feel isolated or unsure where to turn.
Neurodivergent people don't always identify as disabled, and traditional disability services don't always meet their needs. Some families experience “imposter syndrome”, feeling they aren't struggling enough or aren't “disabled enough” to ask for help — even when they are facing significant challenges behind the scenes.
We believe you don't have to be in crisis, or prove that you need support, to deserve it.
Spectrum Connections provides a welcoming, peer-led, strengths-based and neuroaffirming space where parents and caregivers can connect with others who understand, access practical information and feel supported without judgement.
What we offerWe support families through:
  • Peer support groups for parents and caregivers
  • One-to-one peer support, guidance and advocacy
  • Educational workshops and information sessions
  • Inclusive family events and community activities
  • Respite opportunities, including Mum's Day Off
  • Connections to services, resources and community support
We also work alongside schools, health professionals, community organisations and local agencies to strengthen support pathways for neurodivergent families across the Bay of Plenty.
Our TeamSpectrum Connections was founded by MJ (Mary-Jane Du Toit), General Manager, and Rachel Crump, Operational Support Manager.
Our Board of Trustees comprises:
Dr Adam Harrison – Chairperson
Bo O'Sullivan – Trustee & Occupational Therapist
MJ – Trustee & Treasurer
Rachel – Trustee & Secretary
Our VisionA community where neurodivergent children, young people and their whānau feel valued, understood, included and supported — with every opportunity to thrive.
You don't have to be “struggling enough” to deserve support. You don't have to navigate it alone.
From Left to Right, Back row to Front row: Adam Harrison, Letetia Smith, Bo O'Sullivan, Marina Horsley, MJ Du Toit, Rachel Crump, Dorothy Hoven, Emma Cox.

MEET THE TEAM

MARY JANE

Mary-Jane (MJ) Du Toit is co-founder and Charity Lead of Spectrum Connections Charitable Trust, with extensive experience in psychology, adult education, coaching, leadership, change management, capability development and community engagement.
MJ holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology, and is a Prosci Certified Change Management Trainer and Practitioner, trained in the USA. She also holds qualifications and certifications in adult education, training, coaching, team leadership and community engagement.
MJ works part-time with Autism New Zealand as a Regional Adult Facilitator and Outreach Coordinator, supporting autistic adults and strengthening community connections.
She established A-Typical Mums in 2017 and went on to co-found Spectrum Connections following its merger with Asperger’s Connections in 2023. MJ is also a co-founder and coach with Diverse City, providing neurodiversity-informed coaching and education.
As a parent of two neurodivergent boys, MJ combines professional expertise with lived experience to support individuals, families and the wider neurodivergent community.

RACHEL

Rachel is the Operational Support Manager and Co-Founder of Spectrum Connections Charitable trust.  She has two children, her youngest of which is Neurodivergent. Rachel is a qualified Early Years teacher (Dip Teaching and Learning), and holds a Graduate Diploma in Disability Sector leadership. She is also Wharaurau certified in Foundations of ICAMHs Practice, and holds a certificate in 'Child Protection for Local Government Workers' through Safegaurding NZ.
Rachel has extensive knowledge and lived experience navigating the health, disability and education systems locally and nationally with a passion for supporting families and their tamariki and rangatahi helping them to be able to thrive in a world and environment that presents daily challenges to the neurodivergent and disability community.  
With system navigation, funding and school issues as some of the most distinguished challenges facing neurodivergent families and whanau currently, Rachel is passionate about ensuring whanau, families, tamariki and rangatahi feel seen, and supported working with them alongside schools, health professionals and community services to advocate and ensure appropriate, neuro-affirming accommodations and clinical practices are in place where appropriate, whether their child is diagnosed, awaiting diagnosis or un-diagnosed. 
Rachel and Spectrum Connections are here to help and support any families struggling with school, system navigation, health & clinical appointments/meetings, or just looking for a safe place to land where they are understood and supported. 

Meet Our Volunteers

Picture
Island of Misfits, founded by Emma Cox, who is autistic and ADHD, Island of Misfits Community grew from connections made through Asperger's Connections in 2020. After recognising the need for safe and supportive spaces for neurodivergent teens and young adults, Emma created Island of Misfits Community to foster belonging, identity, hope, and meaningful connection.

​The group provides welcoming spaces for conversations about life, faith, and personal growth, particularly for neurodivergent and marginalised young people who may feel different or isolated.
Island of Misfits Community currently runs small potluck-based groups in Maungatapu and Bethlehem, alongside neurodivergent-led workshops and community activities “By Misfits For Misfits.” Their vision is to create an oasis where young people can flourish socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically while building supportive connections within the wider community. Families and young people can stay updated on events and future groups through their newsletter and social media channels.
​
Letetia Smith; bringing both professional and lived experience to her role. She holds a primary school teaching qualification and is a mother of two neurodivergent children with AuDHD. Letetia is passionate about supporting families, sharing practical knowledge and helping create a more understanding and inclusive community for neurodivergent children and their whānau.

Marina Horsely; a mum of three children, two of whom are autistic. She has personal experience navigating the challenges and rewards of raising neurodivergent children and currently home-schools one of her children through Te Kura. Marina is passionate about supporting other families and sharing her lived experience with the neurodivergent community.

Dorothy Hoven is a long-standing advocate for the neurodivergent community and co-founder of Asperger’s Connections, which she helped establish and lead for 13 years. In 2023, Dorothy passed the organisation on to Spectrum Connections, helping pave the way for its continued support of families across the Bay of Plenty. As a parent of an adult child with Asperger’s, Dorothy brings extensive lived experience, knowledge and dedication to supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families.

Our Partners - Diverse City

Professional Training & Consultancy
Spectrum Connections Charitable Trust is proud to partner with Diverse City ADHD & Autism Educational Services to deliver high-quality neurodiversity education, training, and consultancy for organisations, schools, community services, and workplaces throughout New Zealand.

Together, Denise and Mary-Jane (MJ) combine extensive professional expertise with lived experience to help organisations better understand, engage with, and support autistic and ADHD individuals. Our training is practical, evidence-informed, and grounded in current neuroaffirming best practice, equipping teams with the knowledge and confidence to create genuinely inclusive environments.

We believe neurodiversity is a natural and valuable part of human diversity. Rather than focusing on changing the individual, our approach helps organisations understand different ways of thinking, learning, communicating, processing sensory information, and regulating emotions. Participants leave with practical strategies they can immediately apply in their workplaces and services.
Our training draws on:
  • Lived experience alongside professional expertise
  • Evidence-informed, neuroaffirming practice
  • Practical strategies for real-world settings
  • Compassionate, strengths-based approaches
  • Collaborative problem-solving and inclusive leadership
Whether you work in education, health, social services, local government, community organisations, or the corporate sector, we can tailor workshops, professional development, keynote presentations, and consultancy to meet the needs of your team.
​
Our shared goal is simple: to build workplaces and services where neurodivergent people feel understood, valued, included, and supported to thrive.
https://diversecity.co.nz/​
To keep up to date with news, events and support meetings please sign up for our e-newsletter and follow our Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/www.facebook.com/

Sign up for our Newsletter