Our Story

Acorn was founded in 2018 in Tāmaki Makaurau in response to a lack of equity and inclusion for neurodivergent young people in education and employment.

Acorn is the only provider in Aotearoa offering a gold-standard, integrated multidisciplinary model of support for neurodivergent children and young people, addressing a significant gap in service provision. We support neurodivergent children and young people and their families who are navigating autism, ADHD, FASD, sensory processing differences, developmental delays, dyspraxia, giftedness, and language processing differences.

What began with two clinicians providing speech and language therapy has grown into a team of professionals across two centres. Today, we support children, young people, and families from across Tāmaki Makaurau in homes, schools, and our purpose-designed centres.

Our team is made up of experienced clinicians who are deeply committed to evidence-based, neuroaffirming practice. We work collaboratively across disciplines to provide coordinated, holistic support that builds skills, confidence, and meaningful participation in everyday life for neurodivergent young people and those who support them.

Originally established as Acorn Autism, the organisation transitioned to Acorn Neurodiversity in late 2021 and became a not-for-profit. This change reflects our broader, more inclusive understanding of neurodiversity and enables us to partner with community stakeholders to increase equitable access to high-quality support for neurodivergent children, young people, and their families.