Autism
Sara Seager: searching for planets beyond our solar system
Sara Seager is a renowned Canadian-born astrophysicist and planetary scientist based at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her research focuses on the discovery of planets outside our own… Audio
Young activist Dara McAnulty on his passion for nature
Sixteen-year-old Dara McAnulty turned his blog about the natural world around him into a diary, which has been published amid the coronavirus crisis. Audio
Progress in helping autism spectrum disorder children sleep
Lead Investigator of the Good Nights Canterbury and Autism Sleep project Dr Laurie McLay explains to Jesse what inroads they have made for families dealing with ASD children's sleeping problems. Audio
Charlotte Nightingale - exploring the "spectrum"
Disability advocate, Touch Compass Dance Company's Charlotte Nightingale has written a play about a teenager who's not only on the autism spectrum but also has ADHD. She talks about The Incredible… Audio
Virtual reality to help people with autism
A team of students from Auckland University are developing a virtual reality system that could help people with autism. Audio
Steven Joyce on autism
When your child is diagnosed as being on the spectrum it's a pretty lonely journey, says former National MP Steven Joyce, whose 9-year-old son Tommy has autism. Joyce is a patron of the autism… Audio
Bringing orchestral music to sensitive ears
In a possible world-first the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra is exploring a new way to help those who find the sound of a symphony orchestra overwhelming.
Understanding autism
There's growing understanding of what it means to be autistic, with famous faces talking openly about it and supermarkets like Countdown having a quiet hour. Audio
Takiwatanga Sanctuary - a haven for animals and for families
Steve and Phil Brown have set up their King Country home and farm as a sanctuary for children with disabilities and their families. Their rescued animals are on the staff and help entertain and… Audio, Gallery
Autism insights: 'The Parenting Spectrum'
Finding out that you or someone you care about is on the autism spectrum is a lot to get your head around; for families, loved ones and for the person themselves. Fiona Churchman and Travis Saunders… Audio
The autism employment conundrum
Two years ago, then 18-year-old Jackson left school with NCEA level 3 in maths, economics, physics and travel/tourism. He started looking for a job in the construction sector. And he’s still looking… Audio
Is the mental health system "broken" for autistic adults?
New research from support group, Altogether Autism is suggesting the mental health system isn't delivering for adults on the autism spectrum. Over half the respondents to a recent survey rated their… Audio
Sara Harvey: Agony Autie
Sara Harvey started Agony Autie as a way to talk about being autistic and all the 'different' experiences being autistic entails. Video, Audio
Chris Byrne: treasuring Susan Te Kahurangi King
The Museum of Modern Art has acquired three works by Kiwi artist Susan Te Kahurangi King. The acquisition follows the increasing awareness of her works around the world. Susan, who is 66, grew up in… Audio
Inspiring IT pioneer Dame Steve Shirley
Dame Stephanie Shirley (who goes by Steve) is an IT pioneer, a philanthropist involved in autism charities, and a refugee. She was born Vera Buchthal and she and her sister were sent to England from… Audio
Is the model for funding high-needs education broken?
In 2016-17 more than 9,000 high-needs students were funded by the Ministry of Education through its "Ongoing Resourcing Scheme" or ORS. ORS subsidises the wages for teacher aides. The average number… Audio
Keith Duffy: Boy band members becoming men
Keith Duffy started out as a member of boyband Boyzone, then went on to play Ciaran in Coronation Street. He's now teamed up with another former boy band member and Irish compatriot, Brian McFadden of… Audio
A bloomin’ good life on the spectrum
Alan Gardner has pink hair, pink fingernails and green thumbs. He also has Asperger Syndrome and presents the TV show The Autistic Gardener. Alan talks to Kathryn Ryan about how he views the world and… Audio
Oz supermarket 'quiet hour' for autism spectrum
New Zealand's autism association hopes the weekly quiet hour being rolled out by a major supermarket chain in Australia could also be introduced here.
Undetected autism in girls threatening growth, learning
Parents with autistic girls say it's taking too long to diagnose their daughters, and their lives are being put at risk in the meantime. They say autism in girls often goes undetected because it's… Audio