Help! is at hand
(Filed: 12/06/2002)
 

A new countrywide scheme has been launched offering help and support to the parents of children and adults with autism and Asperger syndrome. Jude Allen reports
 

Run the marathon and raise money

2002 is not only Autism Awareness Year, but also the 40th Anniversary of the National Autistic Society (NAS). Initially set up by a group of parents who felt frustrated and isolated, the NAS has become the UK's leading charity for people with autism and those who care for them.

However, while there is a growing awareness and understanding of autistic spectrum disorders, it remains difficult for the parents and carers of the 500,000 plus affected by the disorder to find the support, advice and access to services that they need.

This Friday sees the official launch by the NAS of the Help! programme, a new service for parents and carers of children and adults with autistic spectrum disorders who have been diagnosed after pre-school age. The programme comprises an introductory session and six further core sessions that provide post-diagnostic advice in a secure and supportive environment. It gives the opportunity for parents to find out more about the disorder, to better access local services and to find ways to deal with their situation. Jan Snook, Help!'s programme manager, has worked with many children who have had little support and their schooling has been completely inappropriate to their needs.

"Most importantly", says Snook, "gaining a better understanding of their son or daughter will help [parents] to support their child in a more positive way in the lonely months after diagnosis."

At the scheme in Nottingham, which she has just set up, feedback has been extremely positive with parents saying that the programme has been life changing. It is not, as she points out "rocket science but rather offers general coping strategies". The overwhelming response to the six pilot schemes has reinforced the need for such help.

The NAS has rececntly received the funding it needs to expand the service across the UK. This year there will be 11 Help! programmes in England, with eight in Scotland and two to four in Wales. Until now, the NAS has set up and drawn attention to the programmes by mailing its members, contacting local health professionals and coordinating with local autism support groups. If you would like to find out more about your nearest scheme and how to get involved please email Jan Snook at helptemp@nas.org.uk or contact your local NAS office. Visit www.nas.org.uk to find out more about the National Autistic Society.

Run the marathon and raise money

The New York City Marathon (November 2002) is one of the best urban marathons in the world and the NAS have a number of guaranteed entries for this fantastic race.

Join the NAS 40th anniversary marathon team and they will arrange a package where you could go free and provide you with all the fundraising and training support you need to succeed.

Please contact ebolton@nas.org.uk to for more information.

 

 

	31 May 2002: The blossoming of Jessy Park [changing attitudes to autism]
	1 May 2002: Understanding autism: I pray the Government will support us
	30 April 2002: Understanding autism: can MMR damage your baby?
	29 April 2002: Understanding autism: breaking out of the bubble
	31 October 2001: How Sammy joined our world [on Asperger syndrome]
	15 May 2001: Suffering in silence no more [raising awareness of autism]

 

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