New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline - Ministry of Health

Part 5: Living in the community
5.2 Recreation and leisure
Summary of recommendations
Recommendations:
5.2.1 All children and adults with ASD should have access to leisure facilities and
meaningful activity tailored to their needs and interests and designed to promote
social inclusion.
Grade
B
5.2.2 Family members should be supported to maintain social relationships. C
5.2.3 Leisure and recreation planning should be included in a student’s/young
person’s transition programme and this information shared with post-school
providers.
C
Person-centred planning should:
• focus on individual choice and preference, including strengths, capacities,
interests and experiences
• include recognition that people with ASD have a right to privacy and a right
to be autistic.
5.2.4 Individual leisure plans need to be regularly evaluated in all services by staff
clearly identified to have the responsibility and who should have received
specialist education for the role.
5.2.5 All children with ASD should have access to good-quality play opportunities,
including one-to-one support and adapted toys and equipment.
5.2.6 Where a child or young person is provided with a respite service or is outside
the normal home environment, the environment needs to be structured and
predictable, and it needs to support the function of the child in communication,
personal independence and safe leisure skills.
5.2.7 Ongoing one-to-one support should be provided to those who need it to enhance
their ability to pursue leisure pursuits.
5.2.8 Services should provide ongoing support where required to help someone with
ASD build up and maintain social contacts, using strategies to promote social
inclusion (section 3.2.b).
B
C
C
C
B
C
C
Recreation is a powerful tool for promoting independent functioning, community inclusion,
education, employment, proficiency of life skills and improved overall quality of life. Meaningful
routines, use of resources, recreation initiation and planning for structure and organisation are
important processes for supporting a person with ASD to participate and enjoy a balance of leisure,
work, self-care and other commitments 374 (Recommendation 5.2.1).
Part 5
New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline 173