Chad Blair - Neurodiversity Consultant

Chad Blair - Neurodiversity Consultant I help individuals, whānau, schools & workplaces identify and understand neurodivergence through education, coaching & advocacy.

06/09/2026

Many neurodiverse children have a special attraction to water. Now researchers, councils and advocates are working to find ways to teach water safety skills.

27/08/2026

We are excited to announce that our partner organisation Equity House is now seeking registrations of interest for five units in Orewa, Auckland.

These units will be available to move into from early December 2026.

The one-bedroom units were built for adult autistic tenants, with consideration of sensory sensitivities and needs.

The units do have shared internal access and a communal laundry, but are otherwise sole-occupancy. They’re brand new, safe, secure and well-appointed, in a quiet location close to nature.

To be eligible to apply, you will need to either be on the social housing register, or be eligible for social housing.

If you’re not sure if you would be eligible, please email [email protected] for a resource to help you determine your eligibility.

You can register your interest in these units by completing this form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VJDQ6QW

Please complete the form by 5pm on Sunday 30th September.

Equity House will assess these registrations to see if they broadly meet the Public Housing Register criteria. For those that do, we will send an invite to an information session.

Please only complete this form if you are interested in these specific units. If you would like to register interest for Equity House properties in other locations, please do so here: https://equityhouse.org.nz/contact/

A great discussion today about the relationship between neurodiversity and addiction. People came with some great questi...
26/08/2026

A great discussion today about the relationship between neurodiversity and addiction. People came with some great questions and hopefully walked away with more understanding.

18/08/2026

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

14/08/2026

Kia Ora Koutou,

The Disability Support Services Bill has passed its second reading, and is likely to become law.

In our submission against this bill, we said that it would go against disabled people’s fundamental rights to the care they need and the level of independence they want. In particular, we argued that the bill’s ‘family first’ model would significantly increase the burden on both disabled people and their families and whānau; expressed our concerns about the ability for the government to use secondary legislation to introduce means and asset testing to disability supports; and made it clear that the lack of consultation with the disabled community and with carers, family and whānau was unacceptable.

In response to overwhelming community feedback, some changes have been made to the finished legislation. Rather than requiring disabled people’s families to take “responsibility in the first instance” for their care and support, the final legislation mandates that families have a “responsibility to contribute to the wellbeing of their members”. Wording around disabled people being required to access family support before being able to access DSS support has also been changed; under the new law, access to family support is one of several factors that must be taken into account when decisions are made about providing DSS-funded support.

A consultation requirement has been added when approving and establishing Ministry-funded disability support service programmes; the Minister must consult “representatives of disabled persons as the Minister considers appropriate”. While we do not believe this consultation requirement goes far enough in requiring disabled people’s input into programmes that will affect their lives, we do recognise that it is a step in the right direction.

The final area of concern we raised was around the ability to add income and asset testing to disability services. This has been left open in the final legislation. While this does not change anything immediately, we will be keeping track of future disability services legislation, and we will advocate strongly against any newly introduced legislation that introduces income or asset testing to disability supports.

This bill does not change any existing eligibility for DSS support, or change the processes for accessing DSS support and funding. It will apply to any new government-funded disability support programmes and services. You can find out more here: https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/improving-dss/dss-bill

08/08/2026

A tidy desk becomes "OCD". Bored in a meeting? "ADHD". A disappointing exam result? "That was traumatising." It's part of the idea behind "concept creep".

03/08/2026

Kia ora koutou,

Over the past 24 hours, two media stories have highlighted issues that are deeply important to the autistic and wider autism community.

The first relates to comments about the use of "reasonable force" in schools. Autism NZ does not support approaches that rely on punishment or physical intervention as a response to behaviour.

For autistic and other neurodivergent children, behaviour is a form of communication. Children who are struggling need understanding, appropriate support and environments that meet their needs. Further, there is a need to invest in PLD and development for educators and school leaders, so they are equipped to understand, support, and respond to a diverse range of learners.

Families also need access to timely support. Removing a child from the classroom or using restrictive approaches should always be a last resort, after proactive strategies and reasonable adjustments have been explored.

The second story highlights the growing financial hardship experienced by many families raising disabled children. We know from working alongside whānau across Aotearoa that the costs associated with disability can place significant pressure on families. We support measures that reduce these barriers, and oppose cuts to benefits and other financial support.

Autism NZ is an independent charity. While we deliver some government-funded services, we are not a government organisation. Our role is, and always will be, to advocate for the needs, rights and wellbeing of the autistic and wider autism community.

We will continue to speak up for evidence-informed, compassionate approaches that improve outcomes for autistic people and their families, regardless of where the conversation is taking place.

24/07/2026

Sat 7 Nov, The Aurora Centre. Practical, neuro-affirming strategies.

24/07/2026

We are SO excited to announce Aotearoa's First ARFID Diagnosis Assessment Pathway!!!

ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is not only under recognised but is extremely undiagnosed... That is often because there is no one to diagnosis it (some paediatrician's will but it's very few).

Receiving a diagnosis of ARFID has many benefits including recognition to medical and allied health professionals, support plans for preschools/schools, some funding opportunities and most importantly access to the correct and appropriate treatments.

The waitlist is now open!
Head to our website to register your interest - https://nourishtherapy.co.nz/arfid-diagnosis/

04/07/2026

Kia Ora Koutou,

Today we have two research requests to share that you may be interested in. Please note that some research studies offer a koha as a thanks for participating, but if we post that here the researchers are inundated with spam accounts! So if that is the case, it will be made clear when you contact the researcher or participate in the research.

Please also note that we share these requests on behalf of researchers, in the hope of assisting with studies that will be of benefit to our community. If you have questions, suggestions or concerns, you need to contact the researchers directly with the contact details provided below.

1) Exploring communication experiences of autistic tertiary students:
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Contact: [email protected]

Description: This study aims to gain insight into autistic tertiary students’ experiences with communication in a university setting. Participants experiences will be used to produce an honours research project, and potentially for academic publication.

Participants need to have a formal autism diagnosis, be tertiary students and be between 20-50 years.

To participate, please email [email protected] or [email protected]

2) Navigating Healthcare in Aotearoa: Experiences of Māori Takiwātanga Takatāpui

Contact: [email protected]

Description: This study aims to uplift the voices of Māori Autistic LGBTQIA+ people by exploring their experiences of accessing and navigating (healthcare) services.

We are seeking participants who are willing to share their kōrero (stories, experiences) to help build a deeper understanding of how healthcare systems can better support our communities.

Participation involves an interview, either online or in-person, where you will be invited to speak about your experiences with accessing and navigating healthcare services. Your insights will contribute to strengthening equity and improving hauora services for Māori Autistic LGBTQIA+ people.

Ngā mihi mō tō whakaaro ki te tautoko i tēnei kaupapa.

To participate, follow this link https://vuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cJfbGpvIA4D8D9s or email [email protected]

Address

38B Hoon Hay Road
Christchurch
8025

Telephone

+64221920629

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