New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline - Ministry of Health

Part 7: Mäori perspectives
Part 7
both positive and negative impacts from stigma
surrounding the thoughts and myths attached
to ASD.
A range of contextual factors was also cited as
being worthy of note. Included among these
was the need for professionals to examine the
background of the child presenting. It was
suggested that the reason for the child’s social
withdrawal might be because they were raised
in a dysfunctional environment. Reiterating
this opinion was the call for experts to pay
careful attention to how the child presents to
professional services.
Regarding cultural factors, participants offered
the view that there might be a mismatch of
models between whänau and professionals
relative to child development. There may also be
a mismatch between services and expectations
of outputs. This was described as a differential
in ‘cultural pace’ between the expectations of
professionals and those of the whänau. How
whänau view the spirituality of the child with
ASD in relation to their world view was also
posited as a cultural consideration.
Services and ongoing support
16. People with ASD use a wide range of
services within the disability sector. What
are some of the barriers for Mäori accessing
disability support services?
Attendees to the hui gave similar responses to
this question as those obtained for question 1.
These included the following categories:
• geographic isolation (access difficulties and
isolation)
• funding and resource constraints
• lack of culturally appropriate professionals,
services, and contexts
• lack of information available for whänau
• lack of whänau support, the resource
constraints of single parenting, or the needs
of other children
• reluctance to seek treatment, or a delay in
treatment seeking.
Isolation from appropriate services was cited
as a possible barrier, as was not having access
to much-needed resources such as a telephone
and transport. Relative to culturally appropriate
services, the provision of ‘Mäori services for
Mäori people’ was discussed along with making
available kaupapa Mäori services for children
and young people up to the age of 15 years.
Culturally appropriate day services and respite
and residential placements were also called for.
A request to extend the choices and improve
the provision of community-based professional
support was noted.
Once again it was also suggested that there
might be a discrepancy in funding between
children with severe ASD and those who are
higher functioning individuals. A lack of clear
information about available services, how they
can be accessed and the rights of parents were
cited as possible barriers, as were difficulties
in identifying where the responsibilities and
boundaries existed across government agencies
providing ASD services. It was also noted that
late diagnosis of ASD might prove to be a barrier
for Mäori accessing disability support services.
About this, it was suggested that there might be
reluctance on the part of whänau to accept the
initial diagnosis especially if they lack trust in
the health system and of health professionals.
If they do not accept the diagnosis it is unlikely
that they will access the appropriate services.
17. What are some of the most significant
service gaps for Mäori and how could these
gaps be addressed?
This two-part question received a range of
responses that were similar to those obtained
for question 1. Answers to the first part of the
question regarding current gaps in disability
support services were grouped into the
following three categories:
• emotional response
• lack of culturally appropriate professionals,
services, and contexts
• lack of information and support available for
whänau.
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New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline