At a glance:

We run a holiday program for autistic kids and teens in the Wellington regions. Our venues change from time to time,  but are always selected based on their ability to be safe, secure, and fun!

We always run the program in the first week of every school holidays, except Summer when it is held in the first 2 weeks of Jan, to help families plan in advance their holiday schedules.

When: Monday – Friday

Time: 9-1pm except our Thursday “long day” 9-3pm

Carer Ratio: 1:1 or 1:2, depending on level of support required

Who is it for: School aged autistic children and teens, with or without a diagnosis. A formal diagnosis is not required to attend our program.

Cost: $55 per day + activity fee where appropriate. Activity fees (such as movie day) are always notified in advance.

Further Cost Information:

Families who are financial members of the AIT ($69 per year) will receive priority attendance for their children at the Holiday Program. Details of how to become a financial member can be found here.

Holiday Program fees are usually able to be fully-funded via Whaikaha’s Carer Support funding or Individualised Funding, however we recommended contacting Whaikaha or your IF Host to discuss any specific approval requirements.

AEW’s Holiday Programme is also OSCAR accredited. This means we meet national standards for safety, staffing, and quality — and families may also qualify for the OSCAR Fee Subsidy through Work & Income. Venues

Venues & Location: Currently we run a Junior (5-11 years) and a Senior (12+) program at Lyall Bay School, 2 Freyberg Street, Lyall Bay.

However, the location at which the holiday program is run is dependent on what venue is available to us at the time and is subject to change due to circumstance. We will let families looking to be apart of the holiday program know in advance what location it will be held at.

Who it is for

We run a strength-based holiday program which is designed to support every child, and even when there are challenges or behaviors to navigate, we don’t want that to feel like a barrier for our families.

Can we cater for particular needs? Absolutely! It’s important to us to be able to cater to all autistic children and young people, and our team have extensive experience working with a wide range of needs.

We encourage you to share as much information as possible about your child, including any specific needs or concerns. Our Holiday Program Coordinators, Stephen and Pete, are here to listen and understand. The more we know about your child, the better we can ensure they enjoy their time with us and feel supported and safe. Don’t hesitate to reach out and discuss your child’s unique needs with us before they join the program.

Next Steps

If you’re interested in joining our next AEW school holiday program, please see our fill in the form below to enquire. Our holiday program coordinators will schedule a  meeting or phone call to discuss your and your child’s needs. Our program is very popular so we recommend contacting us early to register your interest to avoid missing out.

Before any child starts with our program, we gather a full individual profile to help us understand them better— their preferences, desires, and any specific needs. We’ll then arrange a meeting or comprehensive phone call with you to further this understanding.

For new participants, we begin with a 2-day induction during their first holiday program and we’ll do our best to ensure these days work with your requirements.  This allows us to meet and interact with your child, understand their needs, and determine the best days and activities for them. This initial period is crucial for building rapport and ensuring everyone’s safety and enjoyment throughout the program.