Kia ora koutou,
The Young Neurodiversity Champions want to thank everyone so much who joined our Neurodiversity Hui @ Parliament on Friday 19 July! A special thanks to Chlöe Swarbrick MP, Ingrid Leary MP, and the Cross-Party Mental Health and Addictions Wellbeing Group for hosting us, and to Inspiring Stories, the Cookie Time Charitable Trust and Sensory Sam for their support.
Our time has come
Our gathering at Parliament was a powerful demonstration of our collective strength and the support we have from political and community leaders. Together, we are breaking the stigma and unlocking the potential of neurodivergent young people. We came to Parliament with 15 young people in 2023, over 200 this year, and we will be back in 2025 and every year after with hundreds more until the action we have been promised is taken.
Gratitude
Thank you to those who traveled from right across the motu to join us, and to everyone there for the joyous energy you created. It feels so good to be with our own people and to see our strength and talents in action. We appreciate the political leaders who affirmed their commitment to our cause, including Hon Matt Doocey, Hon Nicola Willis, Hon Jan Tinetti, Hon Willow-Jean Prime, Ingrid Leary MP, Chlöe Swarbrick MP, Dr. Lawrence Xu-Nan MP, and Mayor Tory Whanau.
Watch the big moments!
Stay tuned for a highlights reel, photo gallery, and full hui recording later this week! We'll also be sharing responses from our politicians to the questions we didn't have time to ask.
Our Message
We told our politicians that we have had enough of an out-of-date education system which fails to meet the needs of the one in five young people who are neurodivergent. We need immediate action on initial teacher training, teacher capability-building, practical resources for schools on neuroinclusivity, and a neurodivrersity lens across all areas in education, including new assessment policies.
We made it clear that neurodivergence impacts every aspect of our lives and that support should start early. We want a joined-up strategy around neurodiversity across government, with aligned work in education, (mental) health, social services, justice and other areas. And we want it to be a long-term, sustainable neurodiversity strategy that successive governments continue to deliver on.
We called for two immediate actions:
A Ministerial Advisory Group on Neurodiversity with youth representation to guide the Government’s work on neurodiversity across all services.
Government funding for a youth-led national neurodiversity organisation to build awareness and community.
Action
Our politicians recognised the truth and urgency of our messages and suggested actions, and committed to cross-party collaboration to achieve them. Minister Doocey highlighted the importance of taking concrete actions, stating,
“Let’s just get the actions and pick them off one by one.”
The Young Neurodiversity Champions are now following up with Ministers Doocey, Stanford and Willis to ensure these commitments turn into results. We will update you at least monthly on progress and seek your input and participation.
What's next?
Here's a great list of ways to stay involved!
Invite us to your place!
Want more opportunity to share your stories and thoughts, and to bring others into the conversation? If you would like the Champions to visit your school or organisation, get in touch with us here!
Want to look extra cool?
Get talking about brains!
Get your own set of the fantastic Welcome to My Brain card game we used at the hui. It's an inclusive way to help everyone understand and celebrate neurodiversity. You can purchase a pack or a class set here!
Build your own low sensory space.
We asked you for one thing your school or tertiary could do tomorrow to be more neuroinclusive, and many of you asked for a low-sensory space. We're developing some practical resources on how to do this well, but, in the meantime, check out some of the terrific products from Sensory Sam - and support us with every purchase.
Share your ideas with us.
We would love to hear your feedback and ideas as we work together to change the game on neurodiversity in Aotearoa.
Kia kaha,
The Young Neurodiversity Champions
Ngā mihi nui
Kartini Clarke | CEO
Young Neurodiversity Champions
021 128 5425 | ceo@ync.org.nz
