Spectrum Connections

29/10/2026

Happening tomorrow Friday 30 October
Merivale community centre
10am

💙 CONNECT, SHARE & FEEL UNDERSTOOD – AUTISM CONNECT & SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS GROUPS 💙

Looking for connection, understanding and support? There are opportunities to connect with other Autistic people, parents and caregivers both online and here in our local community! 🫶

🌐 Autism Connect – Online Groups with Autism NZ

Autism New Zealand facilitates Autism Connect, an online platform bringing the autism community together from across Aotearoa.

💙 Autistic Adults Group
📅 Monday 2 November | 🕓 4pm

💙 Parents & Caregivers Group
📅 Tuesday 10 November | 🕓 4pm

Both groups run fortnightly, providing opportunities to meet, chat and connect with others who understand your experiences.

✅ Registration for Autism Connect is required before attending.

🔗 Find out more: https://autismnz.org.nz/autism-connect-app/

📝 Register here: https://autismnz.org.nz/sign-up-autismnz/

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Youth Group – Expressions of Interest

Autism NZ is exploring restarting its online group for Autistic young people aged 15–18 (turning 15 during 2026). To express interest, email [email protected].

☕ Connect Locally with Spectrum Connections

At Spectrum Connections Charitable Trust, we facilitate our own local peer support groups for parents and caregivers of autistic and ADHD children and young people of all ages.
Our groups offer a welcoming, understanding space to share experiences, ask questions, build connections and support one another. You don't have to navigate the journey alone. 💙

📅 Our upcoming local gatherings:

☕ Friday Peer Support Coffee Group
📍 Merivale Community Centre
🗓 Friday 30 October | 10am

💻 Online Peer Support Group
🗓 Wednesday 11 November | 10am

🥐 Family Brunch
📍 Sulphur Point Marina Café
🗓 Sunday 22 November | 11am
Come along, connect with other families and enjoy a relaxed brunch. Food and drinks are at your own cost.

☕ Friday Peer Support Coffee Group
📍 Merivale Community Centre
🗓 Friday 27 November | 10am

🎉 Family Year-End Celebration
📅 Saturday 28 November
A chance for our Spectrum Connections whānau to come together and celebrate the year! Please email us to enquire about details.

📧 Email: [email protected]

Whether you're looking for online connections across New Zealand or local support here in Tauranga, we welcome you to explore the options and find what works for you and your whānau.
Please share this post with anyone who might benefit. The more connected we are, the stronger our community becomes! 💙

29/10/2026

From CarersNZ

27/10/2026

A very beautiful spectrum connections mama needs our help. Samara is a kind, giving, gentle soul who is loved by many, especially her beautiful family. Cancer treatment is expensive. Please donate to Samara via give-a-little

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/hope-for-samara-strength-and-support?fbclid=IwZnRzaAVN1ulleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWZkaWQWURHfhRB_SNNnuYnxRJ-MlStkny4TyXNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6nnF_xSvq42HWgpS2ENwSfdLY89PzgD8gtKmv9EljyNR8FKbbz6HFJWCE8fw_aem_OdcFQ0bulDm8sbfqzS948g

Stand with Samara: Supporting Her Family Through Leukaemia

27/10/2026

💙 CONNECT, SHARE & FEEL UNDERSTOOD – AUTISM CONNECT & SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS GROUPS 💙

Looking for connection, understanding and support? There are opportunities to connect with other Autistic people, parents and caregivers both online and here in our local community! 🫶

🌐 Autism Connect – Online Groups with Autism NZ

Autism New Zealand facilitates Autism Connect, an online platform bringing the autism community together from across Aotearoa.

💙 Autistic Adults Group
📅 Monday 2 November | 🕓 4pm

💙 Parents & Caregivers Group
📅 Tuesday 10 November | 🕓 4pm

Both groups run fortnightly, providing opportunities to meet, chat and connect with others who understand your experiences.

✅ Registration for Autism Connect is required before attending.

🔗 Find out more: https://autismnz.org.nz/autism-connect-app/

📝 Register here: https://autismnz.org.nz/sign-up-autismnz/

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Youth Group – Expressions of Interest

Autism NZ is exploring restarting its online group for Autistic young people aged 15–18 (turning 15 during 2026). To express interest, email [email protected].

☕ Connect Locally with Spectrum Connections

At Spectrum Connections Charitable Trust, we facilitate our own local peer support groups for parents and caregivers of autistic and ADHD children and young people of all ages.
Our groups offer a welcoming, understanding space to share experiences, ask questions, build connections and support one another. You don't have to navigate the journey alone. 💙

📅 Our upcoming local gatherings:

☕ Friday Peer Support Coffee Group
📍 Merivale Community Centre
🗓 Friday 30 October | 10am

💻 Online Peer Support Group
🗓 Wednesday 11 November | 10am

🥐 Family Brunch
📍 Sulphur Point Marina Café
🗓 Sunday 22 November | 11am
Come along, connect with other families and enjoy a relaxed brunch. Food and drinks are at your own cost.

☕ Friday Peer Support Coffee Group
📍 Merivale Community Centre
🗓 Friday 27 November | 10am

🎉 Family Year-End Celebration
📅 Saturday 28 November
A chance for our Spectrum Connections whānau to come together and celebrate the year! Please email us to enquire about details.

📧 Email: [email protected]

Whether you're looking for online connections across New Zealand or local support here in Tauranga, we welcome you to explore the options and find what works for you and your whānau.
Please share this post with anyone who might benefit. The more connected we are, the stronger our community becomes! 💙

27/10/2026

Tauranga Xmas pool party!
November 7th from 10-12pm.
With thanks to Caring Families Aotearoa, email [email protected] for a fun family day for all.

23/10/2026

❣️

23/10/2026

Celebrating ADHD Awareness Month

Here are some options for getting a diagnosis:

BEEHYVE:
The cost for an ADHD assessment with Beehyve depends on the type of evaluation:
Screening (1.5-hour online assessment): $265 (evaluates DSM-5 ADHD criteria, includes a professional interview and report). Not a formal diagnosis.
Diagnostic Assessment: $695
See https://www.beehyve.health/assessment-and-clinical

ADHD SIMPLE:
$799 one time fee
https://www.adhdsimple.co.nz/assessments-and-treatment/adhd-assessment-nz

TELEPSYCH NETWORK:
Offer comprehensive packages, from $799
https://telepsychnetwork.nz/services/diagnostic-assessments

22/10/2026

☕💛 PARENT & CAREGIVER COFFEE GROUP – FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER! 💛☕

Are you a parent or caregiver of a neurodivergent child or young person with autism and/or ADHD? Come and join us for a relaxed morning of connection, conversation and a cuppa! 🫶

📅 Friday 30 October 2026
⏰ 10:00am
📍 Board Room, Merivale Community Centre, Tauranga

Our peer support coffee group is a welcoming space where parents and caregivers can connect with others who understand the unique joys and challenges of raising a neurodivergent child or young person.

☕ Enjoy a cuppa and a chat
💬 Share experiences and ideas
💛 Find understanding, encouragement and connection
🫶 Know that you’re not alone on this journey

Whether you're looking for support, a friendly chat, or simply a space where you feel understood, you are welcome!

There’s no pressure to share, and no judgement — just a supportive community of families who get it.

Hosted by Spectrum Connections Charitable Trust, supporting parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children and young people across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty.

We’d love to see you there! Please spread the word and tag a parent or caregiver who might like to join us. 💛

22/10/2026

It matters so much 🫶

Share with another parent you know who is having to be "that parent" for their neurodivergent kid right now in case they need a lift 💙