Jess Wilder
2 Feb 2025
Everything happening in February. Tips and hints and other stuff.
Newsletter for February
Welcome to the monthly newsletter. Here’s what’s happening this month:
Muffin Stuffin is back! However, on the 18th the Muffin Stuffin is cancelled for Judi to attend the DSS in-person consultation in Lower Hutt. There will be more information about this below.
Coffee and Chill is for autistic adults to socialise, sit and be comfortable in group having a cuppa with others. Please remember that questions are great, but others have a right to not answer.
Art group is about paper craft this month. Including colouring, cutting, creating. Making shapes. Some idea’s available are Chinese new year, recycling trucks, 3d shapes and layered pictures.
Support meeting is an evening meeting for parents and carers. Come and share how the first month of school has gone.
Book for these events online at:
Upcoming Events | Upper Hutt Autism Group (uhautismgroup.org)
NEWS:
DSS Community Consultation:
This is to gain feedback regarding assessments and funding options for equipment and services. I think it’s the 3rd or 4th time in the year since March 18th, but the first time that it has been announced to the community outside of a survey. There are both in person and online options and I recommend doing one at least. The link to the page is here:
Community consultation - opens on 10 February and runs to 24 March 2025 | Disability Support Services
A great resource for greater understanding and support is from Awhi Ngā Mātua
The in person consultation for the Hutt Valley is the 18/2/25 in Lower Hutt, and you need to register with them here Disability Support Services Consultation Survey
I know that UHAG is about support and inclusion and hopefully you all feel that. But part of inclusion is being able to access supports to make that possible. That is what the funding and the DSS is meant to be about. On the 18/3/24 a lot of that funding was placed out of reach to families, and while not “removing it” it was made inaccessible on a different level. So that is why it’s important to tell your story in these consultations. So please register, and remember Judi will be there also, to support you but also to share her challenges (even though Autism isn’t negative it does have challenges).
Back to school tips:
Remember you are the expert in your child. So your input is helpful, use a character matrix, a profile sheet and be honest. Email support@uhautismgroup.org for a template, if you need support filling this out add that to the email and Judi will help.
For new starts and younger students remember they will be tired and hungry and overwhelmed and socialled out, give them a break and a movement focused afternoon (park, trampoline, swim in the river. Not adding after school activities for the first week is a great idea.
UHAG is happy to come to school to support you with ideas that may help the transition.
For older students and those starting college, good luck. The first week of school is tough it’s totally different. Speak with the dean of the year, learning support coordinator and form/ako teacher with strategies you know work.
Colour code the books for each subject and the timetable. Get setup access to a device to use in class. If typing isn’t possible then the Goggle doc’s voice to text is a really great dictation solution (and free).
ART GROUP
Both of this month’s Art groups are about paper and card
There will be:
• Paint
• Glue
• Paint pens
• Coloured card
• Pens
• Card templates
• Glitter
• Pegs and dragon designs, snakes
Fundraising:
We have cards to sell. They are blank inside get in touch and purchase 1/5/10 Prices are:
$2.75 for one card $12.00 for a pack of 5 $22.00 for a pack of 10
We are a registered charity and donations are tax deductible, so please contact us on how to support Upper Hutt Autism group. If you know of any fundraising events looking for a worthwhile group please let them know about us.
You can donate at: Bank Account is: 06-0773-0834699-00 and add the particulars : DONATION and we will send out a receipt.
Last Bits:
We are on the lookout for our own space. A place that is available all the time (not for events but the day to day stuff) if you know someone with space then let us know.
In January:
200+ people visited the Website
2 art groups
785 views on Facebook,
1 coffee n chill
2 holiday events for families
1 family supported to get a diagnosis
5 families supported with advocacy
Finally: If you are struggling and need someone to listen and support you or your whanau email, messenger, call UHAG and we will try and help.
Email: support@uhautismgroup.org
Phone or text: 0211953711
Also Facebook messenger, Instagram messages, whatsapp, chocolate aisle of Pak n Save (or Woolworths and new world) or anything else. Do not be afraid to reach out.
Here is the full version: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:ap:545e873c-8e9a-401e-9ad5-971ef3c17f34