Some facts and figures about children and families at New Zealand's Champion Centre

 

This is extracted from their Annual report, BUILDING FUTURES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, 2012/2013. 

We have served 1,609 children since the programme began and our graduates range in age from 6 to 37 years old. 

Of the 154 children currently in the service, there are 64 girls and 90 boys. 20 of our current clients identify as Māori, 1 as Cook Island Māori, 1 as Chinese, 3 as Indian, 1 as Malaysian, 2 as Philippino, 1 as Samoan and 1 as South African and 121 as New Zealand European (or simply 'New Zealand'). 

Not all parents have reported their home status, but at least 11 children are being raised by solo parents, and 4 are fostered. 41 families come from areas of Canterbury outside Christchurch and 106 from Christchurch. 

The largest group of children by diagnosis are those born prematurely. 85 were born anywhere from 2 to 15 weeks early with birth weights as low as 530 grams. Of the 85, 21 have a diagnosable disability requiring a full service and 64 are on the Assessment and Monitoring programme at risk of developmental delay. Of the remaining 69 children, 26 have Down syndrome; 10 have Autism Spectrum Disorder; 13 have a diagnosis of developmental delay of unknown cause; 4 have a primary diagnosis of cerebral palsy; and the remaining 16 have diagnoses of specific syndromes or conditions resulting from other causes. 

Children attend individualised programmes with others at their same age and/or developmental stage. In these programmes each child/family has one-on-one time with each therapist/specialist as well as group time for music and kai. 27 children are in programmes for babies, 28 in what we call 'middle years' programmes and 28 are preparing for school in our 'transition' programmes. A further 7 are currently in our Relating and Communicating programme, but are expected to transition into the appropriate programme before transitioning into school. 

Want to know more? Visit: http://www.championcentre.org.nz/

Contact: Dr Susan Foster-Cohen This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.