The Voices From The Spectrum Trust was established in 2018, and is based in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand.
It is setup by, and for, those adults that identify with the Autism Spectrum but who do not need supervisory support or care. We offer a place for them to meet like-minded people. Our goal is to enhance the quality of the lives of our people.
NOTE: We are also here to share information that may be of interest to Autistic adults in New Zealand. Whilst doing so, we do not necessarily endorse any particular products, groups, organisations, programmes, blogs, or ideas expressed in any of the links on this website, nor do they represent the views of the trust, unless specifically stated.
We respectfully acknowledge that each individual is unique and on their own life journey. We celebrate neuro-diversity and welcome Autistic adults from all walks of life.
More about us:
Our group caters for 18-year olds right up to people approaching their retirement years who fit comfortably under the Spectrum’s umbrella, and we recognise, respect and celebrate neuro-diversity in relation to the Autism Spectrum.
This is also the group of Autistic adults that received very little extra support growing up, who now often fall through the gaps in service provision because their needs go unrecognised.
However, their needs are very real, and their struggles to fit into a world that is structured by, and for, non-Autistic (neuro-typical) people, is very real.
Autistic people often struggle with social communication, and some can have sensory difficulties with some environments.
We have set up an active social network of social groups for ourselves. They are safe places to meet friends, have fun, and chat.
Our group may look very capable, but life can be very tough sometimes. It is very common to find our Autistic adults isolated and living with depression and anxiety conditions. Housing problems and homelessness are issues for many too. A large percentage of our group are unemployed, or grossly under-employed, even though many have quite accomplished academic portfolios.
Employment can be difficult if you are seen as different by employers and your learning and working style does not easily fit into the traditional social identity of training or working models. Many also have co-morbid conditions or age related problems to deal with which complicates things even more for them.
Life can be tough for our Autistic population but things can be done to change this.
Activities we are currently involved in:
- Maintaining our website and Facebook page
- Operating our social network of groups
- Building up a private database of information specific to our group, that can be used to guide us in our decision-making
When people get together, they share stories, they share problems and they start seeking solutions to them. This is why groups like ours are so important.
We are a local Hamilton group, we are proactive and we are aware of the use of the wider internet and social media and how we can use this also.
Everyone has times of difficulty and crisis in their lives but where does one turn if you need an ear that understands what you are going through as an Autistic adult? Peer support networks are important in so many ways.
There are also things the Voices from the Spectrum Trust can do to help support the wider Autistic community. We have a role to play in our community but we are also aware that we are very much a part of the wider network of groups and organizations that are for Autistic people and their families. As we say…”all these people matter to us too – they are part of our extended tribe“.
More about our social groups:
We have quite a varied list of groups in our Trust’s social network and our members just choose whichever event they want to come along to.
Our groups are specifically set up for adults aged 18 through to people entering their retirement years.
We set up groups because our people indicate that they would like a group for a particular reason. We also have groups where one can just relax and chat with others. It’s a great place to meet up with other Autists and develop friendships, etc.
If this sounds like you….. and you want to come join us, the way we bring people into the group is..
a] you contact the Coordinator [see our contact section]
b] Then we have a chat either over the phone, meet up somewhere for a chat [the best, but not only, way], or a bit more via email. This is where we can talk and see if our group will suit your needs. We also get to know just a little about you, such as your main interests.
This will give us an idea of who to introduce you to first at our groups — people who may have similar interests — this helps people settle in more quickly.
If someone has ongoing supervisory support needs that our groups are not meant to cater for, we do have information on other groups that may better cater for their needs. It’s all about finding the right place and support for a person.
We keep our groups private to our members so they can relax but, if you do join us, all that is required is to fill in a membership form that will be sent to you. Then, we send you out details each month as to the different groups’ activities and you just come along to whatever you fancy.
Thank you to our supporters:
Whilst we are an organisation set up by, and run by, adults who identify with the Autism Spectrum, we wish to acknowledge the support we get from our friends and whanau from our extended Autism Community, of which many are neuro-typical.
We especially want to acknowledge and thank those people on our fundraising team who are helping the Trust get established, and ensure we can do what we do.