Do you have a child on the autistic spectrum?
Do you know where to get valuable information?
Do you know what support is available from Education, Social Services and Health Services?
Would talking to other parents of children on the autistic spectrum help?
AWARE could help you!
Our objectives are:
- To improve the health and wellbeing of people of all ages who have an autistic spectrum condition (and who may have related conditions), whether or not formally diagnosed, and their families and carers.
- We do this mostly, but not exclusively, by providing support and social opportunities for both children/young people on the spectrum, and their parents/carers.
- To increase public awareness of the needs and challenges of people with an autistic spectrum condition (and who may have related conditions) and their families and carers.
- To provide information and training opportunities to individuals with an autistic spectrum condition and to people working with or supporting individuals with an autistic spectrum condition.
Providing Access to Information
Members of AWARE get access to help sheets with useful local and national contacts in categories including autism and related helplines, websites and support groups; autism-friendly childcare and respite care/personal assistants; therapists and private diagnostic services.
We also have an extensive library of books and DVDs to answer the many questions that autism raises.
Supporting Parents
We meet every month to share experiences & learn from each other and have a lively, informative and supportive closed Facebook group.
Keeping In Touch
We issue a monthly e-newsletter about our activities and any items of interest and regularly post updates in our closed Facebook group.
Learning From Experts
We invite knowledgeable speakers to our monthly meetings and offer various training courses and events.
Supporting Children
We organise a range of activities for children with autism, including a Saturday club, holiday play schemes, cookery sessions, cycling sessions and residential activity breaks.
Supporting Young People (12-18)
We organise a youth club, monthly trip club & residential activity breaks. We also run a monthly cookery club.
Supporting Young Adults (18 – 25)
We have a Moving On social group for young adults with autism age 18+, meeting once or twice a month to go out for social activities e.g. for meals, to the cinema, pub quizzes. The group decides their own programme and any AWARE members on the spectrum, and aged 18-25 years, are most welcome to join us.
Lobbying for Better Services
We work with other support groups, as well as education, health and social care services to raise awareness of autism and to support our members.
Still unsure? Take a look at our Parent Testimonials page to hear what our members think of AWARE…
