Otago Autism Support (OAS) has received $20,000 from Newman's Own Foundation - the independent charitable organisation founded by Paul Newman, which donates all profits and royalties from every bottle of Newman's Own salad dressings to charities worldwide.
OAS founder Nicola Herbert, of Dunedin, was delighted with the donation, and said it would help 10 Otago children with autism.
Mrs Herbert said when her own son Ryan was diagnosed with autism, it had a massive impact on her life, and she became heavily involved in the autism community.
In 2004, she established Otago Autism Support which provides care and one-on-one therapy for children from pre-school to primary school, and occasionally into intermediate if required.
"It's very difficult when parents first learn their child has autism.
"Our son was diagnosed when he was 2.
"All I could think of at the time, was [the film] Rain Man because that was all I knew about autism.
"The support that our group offers helps parents move through the fear and bereavement for the loss of a child that you thought you had. The family dynamics change."
Therapy and case-management costs were high, and the group relied heavily on raising funds to help pay for these services. Otherwise, parents had to pay, she said.
"It's absolutely brilliant to receive this funding.
"We're very lucky to receive it, considering the costs that we incur."
The Newman's Own Foundation has given more than $US300 million ($NZ367 million) since 1982, $1.5 million of which has been given to New Zealand charities since 1990.
