Cloud 9- Children's foundation NZ

What We Are All About
We are a support oganisation that works on both the national and regional level in New Zealand to help out children and teenagers who have Asperger's Syndrome. We also aim to assist those who help people with Asperger's Syndrome such as the person's family and carers, teachers and professionals. An important first step in helping children and teenagers with Asperger's Syndrome is increasing the awareness of the syndrome in New Zealand as well as around the world. We therefore have many programs and activites which aim to lift the profile of Asperger's Syndrome in the community.

How We Came To Be
Raymond Thompson is the Chairman of the Cloud 9 group of companies which produces family orientated television shows distributed to over 125 countries around the world. Both Raymond Thompson and his son have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Raymond felt that New Zealand needed more readily available information and support for children and teenagers with Asperger's Syndrome. He also believed that he could be a positive successful role model for others. In October 2000 the Cloud 9 Children's Foundation was established as a non-profit charitable trust.

---> There are all sorts of activities and great support networks within Cloud9, they could be really interesting to get in touch with to find out more information about engaging with autistic (esp. aspergers) children. what stimulates/over or under stimulates etc

a snippet from a student's work on Cloud9 site:
(really interesting essay) http://www.withyoueverystepoftheway.com/page24/page25/page25.html
"

An eccentric Scientist, famous for the theory of relativity.
The richest person in the world, computer genius and the head of the corporate giant Microsoft.
A baroque composer who became the most famous of all time.

Albert Einstein

Bill Gates

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

What do these 3 elite achievers have in common apart from their genius?

Asperger Syndrome!!!"

--->especially people with high functioning autism (aspergers), can be incredibly tallented in a particular area, the area of talent just needs to be located and nurtured..