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 Implementation of the recommendations from the ASD Guideline

We are pleased to announce that the Ministry of Health has been given approval to allocate funding for improving services in line with the recommendations of the New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline.


The NZ Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline was launched on April 2nd 2008. Vote:Health has allocated $15 million over three years to implement the Guideline recommendations to improve Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) services for people in New Zealand.


An implementation plan has been developed, a key component of which was deciding on the most appropriate way to allocate funding. This process received input from:


The New Zealand Guidelines Group is contracted to support the implementation process. They have worked closely with the Implementation Advisory Group to determine the priorities for the allocation of funding. These priorities were:


  1. Assessment and diagnosis
  2. Support for families
  3. Interventions (including early intervention and behaviour support to strengthen families, and transitions)
  4. Respite

Improving co-ordination and developing the workforce flows through all of the above priorities.


Three phases of service development are planned to implement this funding. These include:


  1. scaling up existing, proven programmes and services
  2. bringing on stream new initiatives and embarking on ‘investment’ activities
  3. delivering on the ‘investment’ activities, consolidating initiatives and incorporating measures to provide for sustainability

We are pleased to announce that the implementation and purchase plans were approved by Cabinet on the November 4, 2008. Funding is allocated in line with the agreed priorities. Allocation of approximate funding over the next three years against these priorities is listed below:


Implementation Programme Management
PriorityApproximate funding allocated 2008 - 2011
Improved assessment and diagnosis including research and development $1.6m+
Support for strengthening families (e.g. further parent education) $4m+
Effective interventions (e.g. early support and behavioural support) $2.5m
Effective respite$3.5m
Improved coordination (NASC and DHB) $2m+

The implementation process will take a number of years to complete. The current funding provides the government with an opportunity to improve services and allows for future development.


The Ministries of Health and Education are working closely with the New Zealand Guidelines Group to progress the implementation plan. It is anticipated that scaling up of existing services and the development of new initiatives will happen quickly to increase the capacity of the sector to support people with ASD. These services will be increased.


Pilot programmes that were positively evaluated will be further developed, and the Ministry of Health will offer this work formally through requests for proposals. They will be advertised on the Government Electronic System (GETS) at www.gets.govt.nz.


Further details on the implementation plan and a more comprehensive newsletter will be available within the next two weeks.