Autism Argyll news

World Autism Awareness Day

Sun, 1 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139, tabled by the State of Qatar, which declares April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day in perpetuity.
The World Autism Awareness Day resolution encourages all Member States to raise public awareness of autism and to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention. It further expresses deep concern at the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges to long term health care, education, training and intervention programmes.
Read the full resolution here
UN World Autism Awareness Day Resolution

Achievement Bute Autism Project

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 12:18:21 +0000

As part of Achievement Bute’s Autism Project, Autism Argyll were asked to present a series of autism awareness talks to parents, Achievement Bute staff and other interested individuals. Over two days in February we spoke to over 30 people and feedback from the events was positive. Quotes from evaluations included
“The course was very interesting and has given me an excellent insight into the issues that occur for people with autism.”
“Very well presented and gave me the urge to learn more.”
“The 2 presenters were able to share first hand relevant experiences and information from their own family background so it was not purely theory based which was helpful. Very professional presentation, informative and user friendly language.”
Autism Argyll will work closely with Achievement Bute on their project over the next few years.

Autism Awareness Presentation

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

In January, Autism Argyll gave an autism awareness presentation to classroom assistants from schools in Argyll & Bute who are studying towards their PDA (Professional Development Award). The presentation was well received.
One person commented “Very informative, Allowed for discussion and feedback. Will be useful in my everyday work”.
We were delighted to be joined by Murray MacDonald, a young man on the autism spectrum from Oban, who gave a short presentation on what autism means to him. Murray certainly impressed the audience. Comments from the evaluations included
“ Murray – wow- what an inspirational young man!”
“Murray’s presentation was very inspirational and what a brill sense of humour.”

Grant Award for Achievement Bute

Sun, 1 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

We are delighted to announce that Achievement Bute has been successful in its application for a grant to run a 4 year project to support a group of young people on the autism spectrum through the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Achievement Bute is a small, families-led voluntary organisation and registered charity which was set up in 1998 by parents and family members of disabled children living on the Isle of Bute. Parents wanted to ensure that their children could be supported to live ordinary, fulfilling lives in the local community.
The aim of the project is to work directly with between 6 and 10 children/young people on the autism spectrum over a 3¼ year period, helping them to gain the skills which will equip them to deal with the challenges of going forward into young adulthood. Specific individual outcomes will be determined collaboratively between the young people themselves, their parents and those who work closely with them, but we envisage the work to include such things as: support to learn to travel independently; to participate in volunteering; to learn how to deal with unexpected changes in daily life, to learn how to interact appropriately in social situations, to have an awareness and understanding of sexuality- all of which will lead to improved social inclusion and employability.
Autism Argyll have been asked to work in partnership with Achievement Bute to provide initial autism awareness training in January or February 2012 with follow-up training, advice and support throughout the course of the project. Autism Argyll will provide a platform for sharing and disseminating the learning from the project to a wider audience.

Scottish Strategy for Autism

Wed, 9 Nov 2011 11:52:38 +0000

Members of Autism Argyll travelled to Edinburgh on 2nd November for the launch of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Strategy for Autism. Autism Argyll’s chair, Alison Leask, is a member of the Government’s ASD reference group and was involved with the development of the document.
The Strategy’s vision is that those on the autism spectrum are respected, accepted and valued by their communities and have confidence in services to treat them fairly so that they are able to have meaningful and satisfying lives. It gives 26 recommendations which are geared towards ensuring the improvement of services for people on the autism spectrum.

Full version:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2011/11/01120340/0

An overview version:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2011/11/01120553/0

Easy read version:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2011/11/01102918/0

Short Break Bureau

Tue, 1 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The Short Break Bureau is a new way of coordinating short breaks for those who are cared for and their carers in Argyll and Bute. The British Red Cross and Argyll & Bute Council are working in partnership to provide a personalised service which is tailored to the needs of the individual. The bureau arranges and promotes short breaks within Argyll & Bute but also outwith the local area.
The service is available to those over the age of 18 with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health issues and older people. The breaks are overnight and must be taken away from the home lasting from a minimum of one night up to two weeks.
The Short Break Bureau aims to provide more flexibility, more choice and more control for those going on overnight breaks. Funding for the breaks is provided by Argyll & Bute Council and is based on assessed need. However, the bureau can also be used free of charge for those who are self funding breaks.
For further information, please contact Lynda Barr or Claire MacDonald on 01436 672744 or e-mail lbarr@redcross.org.uk or cmacdonald@redcross.org.uk

Chris White and Dave Rex Presentation

Tue, 1 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

These are just some of the comments from delegates who attended an event held in Inveraray on Monday 3rd October. Autism Argyll were delighted to invite Chris White and Dave Rex to give presentations on two issues which affect those on the autism spectrum.
Chris White is a Speech & Language Therapist working for Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust. Chris researched and developed the “Social Play Record” in collaboration with children, parents, teachers, therapists and the voluntary sector. She runs workshops on social play and has published a book about it called “The Social Play Record: A toolkit for assessing and developing social play from infancy to adolescence”.
The “Social Play Record” is available from the Autism Argyll library or can be purchased from Amazon. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Social-Play-Record-Developing-Adolescence/dp/1843104008 Proceeds from the book are given to Lincolnshire Autistic Society and to Gosberton House School, both of whom were very involved in the book’s development.
Chris talked about social play and its importance in developing communication skills, social interaction and relationships. She looked at how the Social Play Record can be used to assess social play and plan interventions.
After lunch there was a presentation by Dave Rex, a dietician for NHS Highland who works with children with an ASD or ADHD diagnosis, and advising schools on how to promote healthier eating habits in all children.
Dave gave an interesting talk on how diet affects the physical health and mental wellbeing of children with an ASD diagnosis, what dietary interventions are safe, practical and effective, how to assess the adequacy of a child's diet and how to broaden the range of foods acceptable to a child with ASD.
Feedback from the day was very positive and we plan to hold similar events in the future.

Autism Argyll AGM

Sat, 1 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Autism Argyll held its AGM at the Lochfyne Hotel, Inveraray on Wednesday 14th September.
Chair, Alison Leask, gave a report of the group’s activities over the past year. We now have 164 members and on average we are contacted six to eight times per month for information and advice. A copy of Alison’s report can be found on our documents page.
Following the AGM we had three different presentations on a variety of topics. Alison Hay gave a thought-provoking presentation entitled “Keeping Safe on the Internet”. Alison used a number of resources from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre and we have put a link to this website from our national websites page
Eileen Sutton from Sleep Scotland gave an overview of Sleep Scotland and the services they provide. Sleep problems affect many families with children on the autism spectrum and it was good to discover what help is available. More information on Sleep Scotland can be found on our national websites page.
After lunch, there was a presentation by Scottish Autism. Charlene Tait talked of the changes that had taken place at Scottish Autism (previously The Scottish Society for Autism) and emphasised the organisation’s commitment to support people with autism in Scotland throughout the whole life journey. Charlene was followed by Tony McManus who talked about Scottish Autism’s Saturday Club in Oban. This was established in 2005 as a collaboration between Oban Parents for Children with Autism (OPCA), Argyll and Bute Council and Scottish Autism. The club meets at the Lorne Resource Centre every Saturday and staff are beginning to provide outreach support too.

SASN Conference

Fri, 2 Sep 2011 16:22:27 +0100

Social Inequality or an Ordinary Life?

Tuesday 5 October 2011
Perth Concert Hall
9.30am-4.00pm

Booking is now open for a conference hosted by the Scottish Autism Services Network SASN.

The Scottish Autism Service Network is a professional hub for information on autism. The need for greater knowledge about the impact of autism on adult life is led the Scottish Government to commission a project under the Learning Disability Change Programme, focusing on collaborative work for adults on the autism spectrum experiencing health, well being and social inequalities.

Through lectures, workshops and poster sessions this conference aims to raise awareness of such issues for adults on the spectrum and to debate the health, wellbeing, access to life chances and services for adults with autism.

The SASN Asperger Forum members will be actively involved in helping with this conference and in sharing their own experiences.

v Speakers from health, criminal justice, higher education and social policy will address the conference.
v Over lunch, delegates will have the opportunity to network, explore the Information Gallery and talk to members of the Asperger Forum on their experiences as detailed in the publication ‘An Ordinary Life’.
v In the morning and afternoon there will be the opportunity to attend workshops led by professionals and members of the Asperger Forum to explore the challenges of living with autism.

This event will be of interest to:

·        Researchers
·        Practitioners in statutory, voluntary and private sectors
·        Students
·        People on the Autism Spectrum
·        Health practitioners, particularly those in primary care and mental health
·        Adult service providers and related educators
·        Policy makers.

Places for this event will cost £50.00; students, family carers and individuals on the autism spectrum £25.00

If interested in the impact of autism on adult life, then book through the Event page on the SCLD Website. Alternatively please use the attached booking form.   Book now while places last!

Autism Alert Cards

Tue, 2 Aug 2011 10:05:41 +0100

An Autism Alert Card launch will be held in Inverness on Wednesday 24th August. The purpose of the event is to familiarise agencies with the alert card and to give them the information they may need to respond effectively when someone with ASD presents them with the card.
For more information contact 01463 720056.
Autism Alert Cards were developed as a way to address the need to be able to identify people who were on the autism spectrum, and the need to ensure that criminal justice professionals who come into contact with the public were aware of the appropriate ways to respond.
There is evidence that people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are more likely to come into contact with the police than people who do not have ASD. It may not be immediately obvious to criminal justice professionals that the person they have encountered has ASD. His or her unusual behaviour may invite the attention of others, but in general ASD is a hidden disability.
The Autism Alert Card can be carried by individuals on the Autism Spectrum and can be used to identify themselves to the Police or other emergency or public services should the need arise.
More information can be found on the IRISS website
http://www.iriss.org.uk/resources/autism-alert-card?utm_source=IRISS+News+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=df1a5ee2e8-IRISS_NOD_040711&utm_medium=email