children and adults with Autism
A safe space for Kiwi dads of children and adults with Autism
Who We are
How We Connect
Upcoming Get-Togethers
Our 'Why'
This group was born from a simple, powerful feeling: loneliness. Our founder, a dad to a wonderful 10-year-old autistic son, realized how isolating this journey could be. He knew there had to be other dads out there feeling the same way.
In October 2022, he decided to do something about it and organized the first catch-up for dads in Auckland. The effect was immediate. Meeting other fathers who could truly relate to the unique challenges and joys of raising a child with Autism helped to ease the burden. It created genuine friendships and a powerful support system.
Seeing the incredible impact of these local meetups, the Autism Dads Support Group NZ was created to extend that same support to every corner of the country. Our mission is to ensure no dad on this path feels like he's walking it alone.
Your Nationwide Support Network
We connect our community of dads through a few key ways, ensuring you can find support whether you're looking for an online chat or a face-to-face catch-up.
1. The Private Facebook Group This is the heart of our community. It’s a secure, members-only space where you can:
Share stories, challenges, and advice at any time.
Ask sensitive questions without judgment.
Introduce yourself, your hobbies, and your location to find dads in your area.
2. Local Catch-ups Following the success of our Auckland meetups, we are passionate about helping dads connect in person. We encourage and help facilitate regular, informal catch-ups in towns and cities across New Zealand. It's a chance to build friendships and share experiences with guys in your own community.
3. Monthly National Zooms For those who can't make local meetups or want to connect with the wider national community, we host regular monthly Zoom calls. It's a great opportunity for all of us to get together, share what's on our minds, and support each other from all over Aotearoa.
Upcoming Get-Togethers
All our events are organized and shared within our private Facebook group to ensure the privacy and safety of our members.
Local Meetups: These happen organically across the country as members connect. Check the group to find one near you or get advice on starting your own!
National Zoom Calls: Our monthly Zoom call schedule is posted in the group with dates and times. We'd love for you to join the next one!
To stay up to date, please join our community on Facebook.