The Teen Life programme aims to empower parents and support professionals to understand more about how autism is experienced by autistic teenagers.
The next batch of Teen Life programme options will be available for registrations on Friday, October 23rd, 2026.
Scroll down to our Course Schedule below to view all current available programme options.
The programme creates opportunities to discuss useful strategies and share ideas to support the young person. For our face-to-face programmes, parents/caregivers can choose to have a professional attend alongside them, but this isn’t compulsory and is limited to one person. Unfortunately, we are unable to include professionals on our remote programmes.
The programme is fully funded by the Ministry of Social Development / Disability Support Services, so there is no cost to participants.
Out of respect for others who may have sensory sensitivities, it would be appreciated if attendees could avoid wearing perfume, or other strong fragrances and ensure that cell phones are kept on silent mode, while attending face-to-face groups.
Parents/caregivers of a child aged between 10 and 15 (up to 16th birthday) who has an autism diagnosis. Unfortunately we are unable to accept referrals for young people who have turned 16 years prior to the group commencing. Up to two family members and a supporting professional (invited by the family) can attend together. The child/teenager does not attend the programme with the family. Unfortunately, we are unable to include professionals on our remote programmes.
To join one of our remote programmes, you will need a device (tablet or computer) and access to the internet.
The Teen Life programme is written and published by the National Autistic Society United Kingdom and delivered under licence by Explore.
The content focus is on Autism and autistic perspectives. This programme focus is not on intellectual disability in Aotearoa. Please consider this when you register.
6 group sessions cover the following topics:
Session 1
Understanding autism
Session 2
Understanding autistic identity
Session 3
Stress and anxiety
Understanding behaviour
Session 4
Health and wellbeing
Session 5
Puberty
Session 6
Education
Transition to adulthood
Choosing a programme from the schedule below and then doing one of the following:
We can accommodate a maximum of 8 families per programme and places will be allocated on a first received basis. We need a minimum of 4 families to run the programme so the programme may need to be cancelled if we don’t receive enough referrals. Your registration can only be accepted if you detail the dates/times of an available programme.
Unfortunately, we do not hold a wait list for this programme, but please do
check back as we will add additional programmes each school term.
To be fair to the other families that are waiting for a place, please be aware that we can only provide one group place per family / per household on Teen Life Programmes.
| Course | Day | Dates | Times | Weeks Running |
| North Island | ||||
| Hamilton | Mon, Tues, Wed | 2/11/2026 – 4/11/2026 | 10:00am – 2:30pm | For three days |
| South Island | ||||
| Christchurch | Tuesday | 20/10/2026 – 24/11/2026 | 9:30am – 11:30am | For six weeks |
| Richmond | Tuesday | 27/10/2026 – 1/12/2026 | 9:30am – 11:30am | For six weeks |
| Remote | ||||
| Remote Delivery | Monday | 12/10/2026 – 23/11/2026 | 10:00am – 12:00pm | FULL |
| Remote Delivery | Tuesday | 13/10/2026 – 17/11/2026 | 9:30am – 11:30am | FULL |
| Remote Delivery | Wednesday | 14/10/2026 – 18/11/2026 | 12:30pm – 2:30pm | FULL |
| Remote Delivery | Thursday | 15/10/2026 – 19/11/2026 | 10:00am-12:00pm | FULL |
| Remote Delivery | Monday | 19/10/2026 – 30/11/2026 | 10:30am – 12:30pm | For six weeks |
| Remote Delivery | Wednesday | 21/10/2026 – 25/11/2026 | 10.00am – 12.00pm | For six weeks |
| Remote Delivery | Friday | 23/10/2026 – 6/11/2026 | 10:00am – 2:30pm | For three weeks |
| Remote Delivery | Friday | 20/11/2026 – 4/12/2026 | 10:00am -2:30pm | For three weeks |