Dane Dougan
Morning Report Essentials for Tuesday 25 March 2025
On today's episode, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joins us to discuss changes to the RMA, there are concerns from hospital specialists over plans to outsource procedures to the private sector, an… Audio
Online diagnosis for autism no longer accepted by MSD
Autism New Zealand says the Ministry for Social Development is trying to save money by declining funding applications for people diagnosed via telehealth. Audio
Held for 18 years without charge - this is the life of a disabled man in NZ
The case of 'Jay', held indefinitely without charge for 18 years, is raising questions of how we treat our intellectually disabled community Audio
Held for 18 years without charge - this is the life of a disabled man in NZ
The case of 'Jay', held indefinitely without charge for 18 years, is raising questions of how we treat our intellectually disabled community
AudioA broken system: Report says education system failing
A just released report paints a dire picture of the state of support being provided to neurodivergent children in our education system. Audio
Autism NZ chief on changes to disability funding
The Ministry of Disabled People's announcement that it's restricting the help disabled people can get has left many blindsided.
Respite care, accommodation and noise cancelling headphones are some of… Audio
Research shows NZers with autism more likely to die young
Young New Zealanders with autism are more than twice as likely to die before their 25th birthday, than their non-autistic peers.
The Otago-University led research shows the risk is even greater for… Audio
More support needed to help neurodiverse children
Groups supporting children with conditions such as autism and dyslexia say a government action plan has failed to deliver.
The Neurodiversity in Education Coalition says the plan began in 2019 but… Audio
Autism research too "medicalised" - advocates
Advocates for people with autism say more research funding should be going towards how to support people, as opposed to biological projects that sees autism as a deficit. Researchers at Canterbury… Audio
Children with special needs being excluded from classrooms
Parents of children with special needs are being asked to reduce the hours their children attend school, or take an extended break to avoid being expelled altogether.
Disability advocates say this… Audio
What help for carers of high needs people during lockdown?
Carers of people with autism, intellectual disabilities and high and complex needs say they're preparing for a very stressful four weeks, with uncertainty around respite care and a vastly altered… Audio
Understanding autism
There's growing understanding of what it means to be autistic, with famous faces talking openly about it and supermarkets like Countdown having a quiet hour. Audio
Understanding autism
There's growing understanding of what it means to be autistic, with famous faces talking openly about it and supermarkets like Countdown having a quiet hour.
AudioSpecial education waiting lists grow despite increased support
Demand for specialist help for children with disabilities is outstripping the Education Ministry's ability to keep up. Figures provided under the official information act show the number of children… Audio
Children's right to school may get legal protection
Schools that block or discourage disabled children from attending classes for the entire school day are in for a shock - the Education Ministry has proposed a law change giving children the legal… Audio
Teachers fear govt's plans for special education are too murky
Teachers working in special education are taking a cautiously optimistic view of the government's plan to bring in 600 support staff. Audio
Children with autism finding MLEs difficult to deal with
The New Zealand Herald is reporting the number of school stand-downs for fighting and assault have hit an 11-year high. According to Dane Dougan, the chief executive of Autism NZ, half of those stood… Audio
Undetected autism in girls threatening growth, learning
Parents with autistic girls say it's taking too long to diagnose their daughters, and their lives are being put at risk in the meantime. They say autism in girls often goes undetected because it's… Audio
Parents 'devastated' after closure of disability provider
Parents of children with autism say they're deeply distressed by the cancellation of a raft of support services due to a shortage of funding. IDEA Services - New Zealand's biggest provider of services… Audio
Blood test for autism
Researchers have developed a blood test for autism - and they say it's 96% accurate. Nine to Noon speaks to one of its authors, Dr Juergen Hahn and to the CEO of Autism New Zealand, Dane Dougan. The… Audio
