A service that supports families of children with autism and autistic traits has celebrated delivering its 50th programme.
Families who have attended the Incredible Years Autism and Language Delay Programme in the Bay of Plenty say their lives have been changed for the better with the skills they have developed.
The programme is funded by the Ministry of Education and delivered by Health New Zealand’s Child Development Service in Tauranga.
It’s been running since 2016 and has so far supported up to 400 children through their parents and caregivers, with much of that success built on the dedication of facilitators, particularly Gill Duncan, who has led all 50 programmes.
Designed for parents and caregivers of children aged two to six years with autism or autistic traits, a formal diagnosis is not required to enrol.
Over 14 weekly sessions, parents meet in small groups with trained facilitators to learn practical strategies that can be used in everyday life.
Sessions include group discussions, collaborative problem-solving, role playing, and opportunities for parents to share experiences with others facing similar challenges.
“The focus is on helping parents better understand and communicate with their child, while building social skills and establishing routines that work for their family's circumstances,” says Gill Duncan, Incredible Years Autism Facilitator and Programme Leader for Bay of Plenty.
“The result is happier households with fewer meltdowns and children who are better prepared for everyday life.”
Nikki, who attended seven years ago, says the strategies they learned continue to make a difference today.
“The programme helped us better understand how our child experiences the world.
“That changed the way we responded to difficult situations and made life at home much calmer.”
The programme has been delivered across New Zealand for many years. Heather Stewart, Team Leader, Child Development Service, Tauranga, believes its success in the Bay of Plenty is largely due to Gill.
“Gill is the leader and glue. She is the main reason we consistently receive positive feedback from parents. She never wants to be the centre of attention, but the parents love her and she is the star.”
The programme operates in more than 24 countries worldwide and research shows improvements in parenting confidence and consistency, reductions in challenging behaviours, and stronger family relationships.
When speaking with current attendees, a common theme was the value of connecting with other parents and gaining practical skills and confidence to navigate everyday challenges. One parent shared a particularly touching example:
“Last year, I couldn't get Betty to sit through even five minutes of a magic show. Last week, she sat through the whole thing, enjoyed it and was really confident.
“Before joining the programme, I felt like I was the only parent facing these challenges and my confidence was low.
“Now I feel much more capable. That confidence has helped Betty too.”
Facilitator Rae Stott says that many families who complete the programme require little or no further support from services such as occupational therapy or psychology.
“This suggests parents leave with increased confidence in managing challenges independently.”
The Child Development Service, Tauranga, now delivers up to eight programmes a year, including periodic programmes in Whakatāne.