Child wellbeing

Signs your child might have been sexually abused

Nobody wants to think about the idea that their child might have bee sexually abused. This guide will help you know if this has happened or not and what to do next.

My teenager wants to have a...

If you've ever wondered how to support my teenager with having a boyfriend or girlfriend, this guide is for you.

My child is going through puberty - What is...

What is an intimate care plan? And how can it help your child?

My Child is Anxious – But How Do I Know if they...

We all feel anxiety at times, including your child. This guide tells you how you can manage your child's anxiety and understand if it's an issue.

My child has lost their parent – what can I do...

Supporting a child with their grief is so important. Here's a guide to providing the right support to cope.

Inclusive Education - What is it?

We're sure you've heard of inclusive education. But do you know what it is?

How long does it take to recover from your...

Sometimes even after our child recovers from surgeries and interventions we carry the trauma of it all with us. This is a personal essay about how hard it can be to let go.

How do I keep my disabled child safe online?

Keeping your disabled child safe online can be challenging. As parents it's an incredibly important job. Here are tips for online safety.

How do I help my disabled child with their anger?

Learning to control your anger is a crucial skill. Here's a guide to helping your child manage their anger and find emotionally positive outlets for it.

How can you strengthen bonds between disabled...

Here at Awhi we are often asked for tips on strengthening the bonds between disabled and non-disabled siblings?

How can I support my teenager to explore their...

Supporting your teenager to explore their sexuality when they're disabled and neurodivergent is crucial. Here's how to do it.

How can I help my teenage child to develop a...

Body image and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) can be challenging for neurodivergent and disabled children. Here are tips for building positive body image with and alongside your children.

How can I help my neurodivergent child with...

This article outlines common causes of anxiety in neurodivergent and disabled children and what you can do to support your child if they have anxiety.

Help! How can I prevent my anxiety hurting my...

Helping your child with their anxiety can feel like a full time job. And there's lots of info out there. This guide provides tips and advice and solidarity to help you help your child.

Are you traumatised by your child’s illness?

Parents of medically fragile and disabled children can face medical trauma just like their children do. Let's talk about what we can do to face that trauma.

A Guide to Good and Bad Touching for disabled...

Disabled, medically fragile and neurodivergent children can be at greater risk of sexual harm for a number of reasons. This guide will help you navigate important talks with your children.

Worry-proofing your anxious child /

If your child too often: seeks reassurance, invents illnesses, avoids interactions, avoids trying new things, becomes emotional over minor upsets, or is clingy, afraid to sleep alone, reluctant to...

When young people with intellectual...

"Written for parents and carers of young people with an intellectual disability or autism, this guide provides answers the questions that you may have felt too uncomfortable to ask before....

What does dead mean? :

"What Does Dead Mean? is a beautifully illustrated book that guides children gently through 17 of the 'big' questions they often ask about death and dying. Questions such as 'Is being dead like...

The no worries guide to raising your anxious...

This two-in-one handbook will help you to understand your child's anxiety and how to ease it, while also showing you how to reconcile your own fears and worries that come with raising an anxious...

The kids' guide to staying awesome and in...

"Packed with simple ideas to regulate their emotions and senses, this book will help children aged 7-14 years tackle feelings head-on and feel awesome and in control!... There are also useful tips...

The grief book :

Gives young people the tools that they need to deal with emotions like grief, loss, anger and pain.

The facts of life ...and more :

Gives social workers, teachers, and direct support professionals comprehensive information to educate people with disabilities about sexuality and help them make the best possible choices across...

The challenge of change :

"Based on a resource developed by Trey Malicoat and Amy Morris called The journey of change published by Mother Oak's Child Centre for Grieving Children in Oregon, USA and adapted to meet the needs...

Stay cool and in control with the keep-calm guru :

"This illustrated book introduces wise ways for children to recognize and cope with anxiety, anger, frustration and other difficult feelings and emotions. Using everything from yoga poses and...

Starving the anxiety gremlin for children aged...

Help children to understand and manage their anxiety with this engaging and imaginative workbook. The Anxiety Gremlin is a mischievous creature who loves to gobble up your anxious feelings! The...

Starting young :

Argues that children of all ages experience grief and provides parents and caregivers of babies and young children with advice and information to help them support children and other adults around...

Something very sad happened :

A "tool for parents, caregivers, therapists, and teachers to help young children understand the concept of death and begin the process of coping with the loss"--Amazon.com.|Intended to be read to...

Sexuality and learning disabilities :

"This brand-new edition of our best-selling handbook, brings the topic fully up to date, with legal changes, latest approaches to supporting relationships and sexuality, plus the inclusion of...

Sexuality and intellectual disabilities :

"This book provides a concise overview of sexuality and gender identity in clients with intellectual disabilities for therapists, social workers, educators, and healthcare providers. It captures...

Sexuality :

Parents describe the joy and challenges of raising children with an intellectual disability. They offer advice and practical strategies to encourage self-esteem and appropriate behaviour, to...

Sex and relationships education for young...

"[This book] provides practical guidance for professionals working with, and parents or carers of, people with co-occurring autism and intellectual disabilities, on how to deliver and adapt sex and...

Safety and consent for kids and teens with...

"The developmental challenges of children with special needs means they are often more at risk of physical or emotional exploitation. This book provides invaluable tools to help parents, carers and...

Respect :

Your body belongs to you and you get to set your own rules, so that you may have boundaries for different people and sometimes they might change. Like when you hi-five your friends and kiss your...

Relationship building and sexual awareness for...

"STARS 2 is an adapted version of the original STARS guidebook that is focused of school-aged children. The STARS 2 model concentrates on four areas: Understanding Relationships, Social Skills...

Private parts are private /

Private Parts are Private reinforces the correct anatomical names children and adults should use for the private parts; and teaches children what they should do if they are touched inappropriately....

Please explain "anxiety" to me! :

This book translates anxiety from the jargon of psychology into concrete experiences that children can relate to. Children and their parents will understand the biological and emotional components...

Personal Space Camp /

Although Louis knows a lot about outer space, the young boy finds himself sent to Principal Goodkid's office to attend Personal Space Camp after his teacher loses her patience with his behavior.

Overcoming anxiety in children and teens /

The key to this book is that it outlines both the science and art of anxiety therapy. The science of overcoming anxiety is using the well researched approach called gradual exposure therapy which...

My underpants rule! /

A fun, easy way to teach children how to protect their private parts. Using a superhero theme, colorful illustrations and child friendly humor, it helps parents/carers/educators gently and...

My body! what I say goes! :

"The crucial skills taught in this book will help children to protect their bodies from inappropriate touch. Children will be empowered to say in a strong and clear voice, "This is my body! What I...

My body belongs to me :

"Without being taught about body boundaries, a child may be too young to understand when abuse is happening--or that it's wrong. This straightforward, gentle book offers a tool parents, teachers,...

Miles is the boss of his body /

"On his 6th birthday, Miles's excitement is dimmed when he finds himself being repeatedly pinched, noogied, hugged too tight, picked up, and tickled by his well-intentioned family-- and decides...

Masturbation, autism and learning disabilities /

"Intimate self-touch and masturbation can pose many difficulties for people with learning disabilities and/or on the autistic spectrum, particularly when it happens in public settings. This frank...

Let's talk about when someone dies /

When someone dies, we can feel a whole host of different emotions and explaining them to a child isn't so easy. This book uses clear, easy-to-understand language to answer complex questions about...

Let's talk about sex /

"Let's Talk About Sex is a sexual health education programme manual for individuals and groups with intellectual disabilities. The manual provides a contemporary, well-structured programme covering...

Let's talk about body boundaries, consent &...

Teaching young children about body boundaries, both theirs and others, is crucial to a child's growing sense of self, their confidence and how they should expect to be treated by others. A child...

Leroy learns about the big P :

"This unique young person's book has been developed by a very experienced NZ counsellor who needed resources to help explain the concepts of personal and private to young clients with a...

Kidpower safety comics :

"In this book you will find: Directions for adults on how to introduce "People Safety" to chilren ages 3 - 10. - Engaging social stories that teach children how to make safer choices and get help...

Kidpower safety comics :

Even if your kids are not big yet, they have big powers. Mouth Closed Power. Stop Power. Walk Away Power. From 'The Trash Can For Hurting Words' to 'The Keep Telling Until You Get Help Story', this...

It's my body :

Your body is amazing! It can move, grow and heal as well as help you think, read and talk. Look after your brilliant body, from eating well to exercising and keeping clean. Respect your body and...

Is Daddy coming back in a minute? :

Alex and his father are on a boys-only weekend when his father has a heart attack. Alex finds someone to call the ambulance, but his father dies on the way to hospital. His mother comes to get him...

Intellectual disability and the right to a...

"One of the perennial political/philosophical questions concerns whether it is ever justifiable for a third party to paternalistically restrict an adult’s freedom to ensure their own, or society’s,...

I miss you :

Explores the difficult issue of death for young children. Feelings and questions about this sensitive subject are looked at in a simple but realistic way. Written by a psychotherapist and counselor...

How to parent your anxious toddler /

Why does your toddler get upset when his or her routine is disrupted? Why do they follow you from room to room and refuse to play on their own? Why are daily routines such as mealtimes, bath time,...

How can I tell?: indicators of child abuse and...

Explains how to recognise the signs or symptoms of child abuse and neglect.

Hey warrior /

Kids can do amazing things with the right information. Understanding why anxiety feels the way it does and where the physical symptoms come from is a powerful step in turning anxiety around....

Hey awesome /

If kids with anxiety could see their strengths, they would feel so much bigger than their anxiety. They would feel bigger than everything - as though a tiny, tip-toed stretch could have them...

Helping your child with worry and anxiety /

Harrison Spader, personal space invader /

"Harrison P. Spader sat a little too close. Shook hands a little too long. High-fived a little too hard. And hugged a little too much. Harrison P. Spader was a personal space invader. But that all...

Disability and child sexual abuse :

"Examines the ways in which society marginalises, institutionalises and places disabled children in situations of unacceptable risk, and how - as evidenced in the survivors' narratives - patterns...

Dealing with death /

This sensitively written guide will help children to understand and come to terms with death and grief, whether they are dealing with the death of a loved one themselves, or whether they want to...

Dealing with anxiety /

This book will help you to understand what anxiety is, see how your mind works and learn ways to change how you feel.

Consent :

A child who has learned all about their body boundary and that they are the only person who gets to say who enters it is eager to share this information with others.

Communicating with children when a parent is at...

"When a parent is nearing the end of life, children can feel like their world has been turned upside down, and they are often scared and confused about what is happening. Sensitive and clear...

C is for Consent /

As "Finn navigates a gathering of relatives and friends, his parents encourage him to make his own choices about whether to receive and offer physical affection. At the end, he uses the lesson he's...

Boyfriends & girlfriends :

"Boyfriends & Girlfriends is for parents and professionals caring for adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities. It provides an entryway to discuss the...

Body safety book for kids /

Nina experiences an invasion of her personal space and decides what action to take. Topics include personal space, body bubbles, appropriate and inappropriate touching, and steps to take when...

Bobby and Mandee's good touch, bad touch /

Introduces the topic of sexual abuse, and how children can protect themselves. Includes questions to gauge the child's understanding, and tips for parents. Author and former Deputy Sheriff Robert...

Ask first, monkey! :

"Meet Monkey. Tickletastic Monkey. He's the best tickler in the world, ever; even his mum says so. And there's nothing he loves more than tickling ALL his friends at playtime! But what happens if...

An exceptional children's guide to touch :

"The rules of physical contact can be tricky to grasp, especially for children with special needs who are at a heightened risk of abuse. This delightfully illustrated and friendly picture book...

A sky of diamonds :

"When Mia learns that her mother has died, all the colour in her world changes to a dreary grey. She feels guilty, angry, sad and lost (sometimes all at once!), and she doesn't know what to do to...

1-2-3 a calmer me :

A young girl learns a technique for dealing with anger--and it works.

The no worries guide to raising your anxious...

This two-in-one handbook will help you to understand your child's anxiety and how to ease it, while also showing you how to reconcile your own fears and worries that come with raising an anxious...

The kids' guide to staying awesome and in...

"Packed with simple ideas to regulate their emotions and senses, this book will help children aged 7-14 years tackle feelings head-on and feel awesome and in control!... There are also useful tips...

Starving the anxiety gremlin for children aged...

Help children to understand and manage their anxiety with this engaging and imaginative workbook. The Anxiety Gremlin is a mischievous creature who loves to gobble up your anxious feelings! The...

Safety and Consent for Kids and Teens with...

"The developmental challenges of children with special needs means they are often more at risk of physical or emotional exploitation. This book provides invaluable tools to help parents, carers and...

Masturbation, Autism and Learning Disabilities :

"Intimate self-touch and masturbation can pose many difficulties for people with learning disabilities and/or on the autistic spectrum, particularly when it happens in public settings. This frank...

Is daddy coming back in a minute? :

Alex and his father are on a boys-only weekend when his father has a heart attack. Alex finds someone to call the ambulance, but his father dies on the way to hospital. His mother comes to get him...

How to parent your anxious toddler /

This accessible guide demystifies the difficult behaviors of anxious toddlers, offering tried-and-tested practical solutions to common parenting dilemmas. Each chapter begins with a real life...

Communicating with children when a parent is at...

"When a parent is nearing the end of life, children can feel like their world has been turned upside down, and they are often scared and confused about what is happening. Sensitive and clear...

Ask first, monkey! :

"Meet Monkey. Tickletastic Monkey. He's the best tickler in the world, ever; even his mum says so. And there's nothing he loves more than tickling ALL his friends at playtime! But what happens if...

An exceptional children's guide to touch

"The rules of physical contact can be tricky to grasp, especially for children with special needs who are at a heightened risk of abuse. This delightfully illustrated and friendly picture book...

Too close, too far, just right :

Designed to help children understand the concept of personal space.

Time Timers

New Zealand website selling timers that can help people manage their time better.

The Grief Centre

Website of the New Zealand charity that supports adults, children, and families/whānau with counselling, resources, support groups, bereavement support and community talks.

Support for child victims of sexual crimes :

"Summarises the types of support available for children (including adolescents) who are victims of sexual crimes in New Zealand and internationally, to help them recover from their experiences and...

Relaxation guides for kids :

"Whatever your personal situation right now, meditation can help you to feel greater calm and inner peace. Instead of using your outer will to transform your life, meditation helps you to access...

Mental Health Foundation

The New Zealand charitable trust's website includes resources on all aspects of mental health.

Information about harmful sexual behaviour

Explains what harmful sexual behaviour is, outlines the law in New Zealand regarding what defines harmful sexual behaviour and includes links to data and research on the extent of harmful sexual...

How gratitude changes you and your brain

New research is starting to explore how gratitude works to improve our mental health.

Handling disclosures of child abuse

Only a minority of children and young people actively disclose abuse. Most child abuse is disclosed accidently or though observation by an adult of a child or young person’s behaviour, words and...

Gratitude Letter

How to guide to writing a gratitude letter.

Depression NZ

"This website helps New Zealanders recognise and understand depression and anxiety. We want to reduce the impact that depression and anxiety have on the lives of New Zealanders by encouraging early...

Anxiety NZ :

"Anxiety New Zealand Trust supports people living with anxiety and other mental health experiences. We offer specialist clinical services, ongoing peer support groups, educational resources, and...

Anxiety :

Learn about anxiety, signs to look for, how your doctor determines if you have GAD and treatment options.

"How bad should it be before I tell someone?" -...

This research explores how people with intellectual disability use the internet and how they experience and deal with online abuse. It also identifies gaps in the support and resources that are...

Does gratitude writing improve the mental...

Although the past decade has witnessed growing research interest in positive psychological interventions (PPIs), their potential as adjunctive interventions for psychotherapy remains relatively...