The establishment of the Autism Intervention Trust was prompted by the overwhelming need to reduce the financial burden on families with autistic children receiving Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy. ABA therapy is a proven treatment for autism and has consistently been evaluated as best practice for children and young people on the Autistic Spectrum, it is a publicly funded service within many western countries – but not so here in New Zealand. Since its inception 40 years ago, ABA has evolved into a flexible, holistic therapy program which when implemented appropriately, improves the prognosis of all children with autism regardless of ability.

The first hand experiences of the Trust Settlors of the efficacy of ABA, which is supported by studies from around the world, defines both the purposes of the Autism Intervention Trust and how the Trust seeks to provide practical support to children and young people with autism and their families. Such improvements in the quality of life of children on the autistic spectrum should not be determined by a family’s ability to pay, but families seeking assistance in terms of possible treatments for autism must do so with little support and guidance. The establishment of the Autism Intervention Trust will help fill this gap in service delivery and support.

The Purposes of the Trust

The purposes of the Autism Intervention Trust are:

1. To provide assistance and support to children and young people with autism and their families.

2. To contribute towards the cost of ABA therapy or any other recognised treatment for autism, to ensure that these therapies are more accessible to children and young people with autism.

3. To obtain funds to support the above charitable purposes.

Fundamental Principles and Future Vision

The members of the Autism Intervention Trust are passionate advocates for, and believers in, ABA therapy for children and young people with autism. The activities of the Trust will be linked to improving, promoting and expanding ABA-related services.

Families within the autistic community are often isolated, and in one sense the establishment of the Trust has enabled the sharing of ideas and support. It is through this support that many families come to terms and deal with the overwhelming issues associated with having a child with autism.

The activities of the Trust include:

- raising and distributing money to fund ABA therapy for individual children;

- raising awareness and advocacy of ABA as a publicly-funded option; - the promotion and public understanding of autism and ABA;

 - specific services for children and young people with autism and their families incorporating ABA, such as holiday programmes and respite care.