Support Services 

Here at Spectrum Connections we are dedicated to helping our families find and navigate the support services that are readily available to them at a local as well as a national level. If you have any questions about accessing these services feel free to get in touch and we can do our best to answer any questions. 

Diverse City ADHD/ASD Coaching
With a unique blend of professional qualifications and personal insight, we offer compassionate, evidence-based education and coaching that truly connects. Whether you're navigating school, work, or everyday life, we’re here to support every step of your neurodivergent journey.
diversecity.co.nz
[email protected] or [email protected] 

ASD Coordinator - BOPDHB Child Development Services
Judy Norris is the ASD Coordinator at the BOPDHB Child Development Services in Tauranga and can be contacted
on 07 571 4768 or via email at: [email protected] or go to
https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/public/community/child-development-service-bay-of-plenty-hauora/

Autism NZ - Bay of Plenty Branch 
Janine Parsons-Eade is the Outreach Coordinator for Autism NZs Tauranga/BOP region. As the Outreach
Coordinator, Janine provides support to individuals, families/whanau and their support network. Autism NZ also
provides training to families and professionals who work with people who have an Autism diagnosis.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (07) 571 0003
Website: https://www.autismnz.org.nz/

Parent to Parent
P2P is a national organisation working with families and children affected by disabilities, health impairments, rare
syndromes, and special needs. They also match families to Support Parents who provide information, advice, and
emotional support to families and provide Sibling events, Family events and Coffee/Support groups.
Contact Co-ordinator: Jane Ford
Mobile: 027 808 3945
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parent2parent.cbop​
Website: https://parent2parent.org.nz/
Office Hours: Open Monday-Tuesday from 8 am to 4 pm and Wednesday from 8am-12pm

Altogether Autism 
A national information and advisory service for people with ASD. They provide information packs on ASD for
parents and teachers as well as individualised information and professional training. The website is also a great
resource with many articles on ASD topics.
Freephone: 0800 273 463
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.altogetherautism.org.nz/

Explore - Autism Services
Explore provide ASD programmes for families including ASD+, Teen Life and Targeted Parent Support. Explore
also offer Behaviour Support programmes to address challenging behaviour, including Stepping Stones and
Behaviour Support.
Referral by Support Net
Website: https://www.healthcarenz.co.nz/explore-autism-programmes/

CCS Disability Action
CCS Disability Action is the largest disability support and advocacy organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
They support people with all types of impairments and have been working alongside disabled people since 1935. At the forefront of service provision, advocacy and information sharing in the disability sector. They partner with disabled people, their families and whānau to enable them to have choice and control in their lives.
Website: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/
Phone: 07 578 0063 or 0800 227 2255
Email address: [email protected]

CHIRP
Child Health Integrated Response Pathway, CHIRP are a team of public health care workers who can guide
children and whānau with worries about child development, challenging behaviours, and possible neurodiversity such as autism and ADHD. Your GP, school or healthcare professional might refer your child to the CHIRP team if there are concerns about your child's development, challenging behaviours, and possible neurodiversity such as autism and ADHD.
Phone: (07) 557 5658 or 027 283 4768
Email: [email protected]

Recreate NZ
Recreate NZ provides programmes across Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington &  Christchurch for young people with disabilities. From cycling the Otago Rail Trail to a night out for dinner and a movie, we have something for everyone.
Website: https://www.recreate.org.nz/bay-of-plenty
Phone: 09 638 5364
Email: [email protected]

Enrich Plus
Offers personalised programmes ensure individuals gain the skills needed to achieve their goals. From navigating social situations, building meaningful relationships, transitioning from school, adjusting to independent living, or gaining employment, our team works alongside individuals and their whānau to give them the tools to realise their potential and achieve their goals.
Phone: 0800 367 424
Email: [email protected]

Other services
Nadia Du Plessis - Psychologist
Nadia is an experience educational psychologist who has gone into private practice. 
022 644 9772
[email protected]

Vicki-K Baby and Family Consultant
Vicki helps families with babies, and specials needs with sleep and support services as well as any other pre and post-natal support
027 562 3968
www.vicki-k.co.nz
[email protected] 

The Different OT - Kelly Karlson
Kelly is an experience Occupational Therapist in private practice
https://thedifferentot.co.nz/

Family Works Northern 
Family Works Northern is a wonderful wrap around service for families that provides counselling and therapy services, outreach and advocacy and social work.  There services are free. 
Contact them through their website - https://www.familyworksnorthern.org.nz/contact/ 

Local and National Disability support schemes. 
Sunflower Lanyard
The hidden disabilities sunflower lanyard is a scheme growing in popularity not only in NZ and Australia but all over the world. Participating businesses, public spaces, shops, airports and organisations are specifically trained to provide assistance to those wearing the lanyards within their organisation. In New Zealand ALL international and most regional airports recognise these as well as some public spaces. 
You can obtain a lanyard from any international airport in NZ, Westfield Mall, or order directly from the website (although this does include a small cost.) More information can be found on the website 
https://hdsunflower.com/au/

Hapai Access Card 
The Hapai Access card is the New Zealand version of the Access Card known overseas. Similar to the sunflower lanyard participating businesses are specifically trained by Hapai to provide support to card holders. Cards can be applied for through their website with a small fee and are individually assigned symbols according to a persons specific needs. Card applications require a supporting signed document from an approved Specialist or Support service. CCS disability Tauranga is able to endorse these for clients. Check out the website for more information and application details as well as a list of places that accept cards and their conditions eg - Carer free and Card holder discount available etc. 
https://www.hapaiaccesscard.org.nz/

BayVenues Disability Access Card 
This card is available to residents who reside within the Tauranga City Council catchment. It provides free access for the card holder plus ONE carer into Bay Venues Pools.  Mount Hot Pools, Greerton Pools, Memorial Pools (Summer only), Otumoetai Pools and Baywave (does not include hydro slide passes these must be purchased)
Bay Venues Access Cards application forms are available from any Bay Venues Pool or one the Tauranga Pools Website 
https://www.taurangapools.co.nz/about-us/accessibility    - Scroll down to disability access membership and download the form. - you need to get a GP, medical professional or approved specialist to fill in the medical/disability certificate. 

Other sites
 Cloud 9 Children's Foundation
Another great NZ website full of information specifically on Aspergers Syndrome (Or now more knowingly referred to as high functioning autism) is Cloud 9 Childrens Foundation.
An excellent guide for parents, grandparents, teachers, and kids themselves. This site was set up by a father and son who has Aspergers.
Website: https://withyoueverystepoftheway.com/