Autism
Spectrum Playgroup: a special place for kids with autism
After an autism diagnosis, every parent asks 'What next?' and most often the answer is 'Waiting list', says Cat Noakes-Duncan. So she set up a playgroup with a difference. Audio
My son's beautiful friendship with the virtual assistant Siri
In her book To Siri With Love, American journalist Judith Newman tells how her detail-obsessed son Gus, who is autistic, learnt to converse and engage more deeply with the world thanks to his virtual… Audio
Getting people with autism into work
Kathryn Ryan talks to John Craven, the Chair of Specialisterne in Australia who's part of a global effort to find one million jobs around the world for people with autism by the year 2025. He's hoping… Audio
Families caring for adult children say IHC has 'absolutely lost the plot'
Disability services provider IHC is betraying its families and its principles, say parents of adults with intellectual disabilities. Audio
Ruby Knox murder case: DHB reveals review details
The Nelson Marlborough DHB is set to begin its review in response to the case of a severely autistic 20-year-old murdered by her mother.
Nicky Wagner on funding and support for autism
Disabilities Issues Minister Nicky Wagner discusses how IHC pulled out of a contract for autistic support programmes, and how "all disability services want more money." Audio
Autism families underfunded and undersupported - advocates
Rhys and Lara Hogg have had to move to Marton so they can afford to be the full-time carers of their autistic son Hunter. They say it's a tough slog and they need more support from the government. Audio
Disabilities Minister criticises IHC for cancelling autistic programme
The Disabilities Minister has lashed out at an IHC-run service for autistic people, accusing it of cancelling its services with no notice, and abandoning its vulnerable clients. Audio
Professor Russell Snell - the hunt for autism genes
To mark Brain Day 2017* (and part of international Brain Awareness Week), Kim talks to Professor Russell Snell, a world-renowned geneticist based at the University of Auckland who has long studied… Audio
Autistic man sobbed and howled in locked room, parents say
Ashley Peacock's parents, who demanded his release, say health authorities have agreed to let him move to a house in the country. Video
Blood test for autism
Researchers have developed a blood test for autism - and they say it's 96% accurate. Nine to Noon speaks to one of its authors, Dr Juergen Hahn and to the CEO of Autism New Zealand, Dane Dougan. The… Audio
Science news: testing for autism and a new treatment for tumours
Dr Chris Smith looks at a blood test for autism that can pick up biochemical markers that are significantly altered in autistic patients; and testing underway on a new approach to treating brain… Audio
"Normal is boring!" - Josef Schovanec
Kathryn Ryan meets Dr Josef Schovanec, French writer, academic, polyglot and advocate for people with autism. He's an advisor to the French government, and travels France and the world, speaking about… Audio
Autistic rights advocate speaks against murderous mother's sentence
An advocate for autistic rights has spoken out against a Nelson mum's four year sentence, saying it sends a message that murdering an autistic person is a viable option for desperate parents. Audio
Autistic boy due in court for fifth time in five days
A 14-year-old autistic boy will appear in the Palmerston North District Court again today, as his parents battle with agencies to find him a permanent place to live.
Minister should have acted sooner over seclusion rooms - Greens
Education Minister Hekia Parata should have stopped the use of seclusion rooms in schools as soon as she found out about them, the Green Party says.
Jailed autistic man abandoned by mental health agencies
The mother of a young autistic man who has spent nearly a week in prison feels she and her son were abandoned and ignored by mental health agencies after being "put in the too-hard basket''. Audio
Autistic 18-year-old's imprisonment 'outrageous', judge says
A young autistic man who has spent nearly a week in prison has now been put in a special care facility, after the judge called the situation "outrageous". Audio
School staff refuse to talk to police about seclusion room complaint
Staff at one of eight special schools that have used seclusion rooms to discipline children have refused to talk to police investigating a family's complaint.
Autistic man's imprisonment 'outrageous', judge says
A young autistic man who has spent nearly a week in prison has now been put in special care facility after the judge called the situation "outrageous". Audio