800+ Families on IHC’s Waitlists for Funded Autism Support

More than 800 Families Are on IHC’s Waiting Lists for Funded Autism Support – And They’re Desperate for Help.

This year’s IHC Annual Appeal focuses on those families.

In New Zealand there are more than 35 thousand people with an intellectual disability, and more than 40 thousand people with autism – some have both. Many of those with autism are undiagnosed adults.

IHC is well known for its support of people with intellectual disabilities, but its 50 years of support for those with autism is less well known.

While more people are now being diagnosed, the bad news is that people have to wait longer for support. Hundreds of families are currently waiting for spots on IHC’s government-funded autism courses. While they wait IHC is responding by finding other ways to help – including providing shorter free workshops.

“It can take up to a year to get on to one of the government-funded autism courses,” says Janine Stewart, General Manager IHC Programmes. “The courses are fantastic, but the wait is too long.”

“That’s why we’re running these free workshops – we know families are desperate for knowledge, advice and help,” says Janine Stewart. “The community workshops don’t replace the courses, but they provide some practical advice to help people with autism and those who support them.”

The Galvan family of Hamilton have two daughters with autism – Bonnie is 4 and Olivia is 6. There is no break in the day – life can be lonely and hard. It’s about late nights, early mornings and needing a lot of strategies to keep their daughters calm.

“What works today doesn’t work tomorrow,” says their mother Ch’von Matene.

Ch’von has attended a funded course and says she can understand why they are in such high demand, “you get so much out of the professional running the course, meeting other families. You are not alone.”

“Families give up. It makes me cry – and we try not to give up,” she says.

When IHC began running the free workshops nearly 500 families signed up straight away. “They are already working, families are getting great information, support and are building networks – but we need help to fund them,” says Janine Stewart.

ENDS

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