The Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha has published a new supplementary paper updating the Aotearoa New Zealand Autism Guideline: He Waka Huia Takiwātanga Rau.
The Guideline describes best practice on how to support autistic people in New Zealand.
The supplementary paper includes a review of research relating to a person’s sex or gender in the presentation of autistic characteristics, the timing of diagnosis; and how they mask autistic characteristics.
In its summary of conclusions, the Ministry states:
- When considering the possibility of referral or diagnosis for autism, practitioners should be aware of the diversity of presentations of autism and consider the possibility of gender-based differences in autistic characteristics.
- In assessment for autism, individuals presenting characteristics should be compared with reference to those of non-autistic peers of the same gender and intellectual abilities.
- Masking of autistic characteristics can occur regardless of age or gender. Support goals should be consistent with creating an environment where autistic people can be safely and authentically autistic.
- When assessing characteristics for autism, clinicians and practitioners should be aware that diagnostic characteristics of autism may present differently to stereotypically male presentation, particularly for individuals who are (cisgender) female/girls/women, transgender, non-binary, and/or genderfluid.
The supplementary paper compliments the Autism Guideline. The first edition of the Guideline was published in 2008. The third edition, published in 2022, considers autism (takiwātanga) across the whole of a person’s life – from early childhood through to adulthood.
This Guideline provides an opportunity to better understand and communicate best practices for supporting autistic people and their families and whānau. Developed by clinicians, educators, researchers, and people with lived experience, and based on reviews of local and international research, it provides a framework for improving services, based on robust and reliable information.
It is a ‘living guideline’. This means it is regularly updated with supplementary papers to remain responsive to the needs of autistic people in this rapidly evolving field.
