Better Tuition is hosting the first planning meeting of a new, as yet unnamed support group for children and young people with Asperger’s/ high-functioning autism on Wednesday of this week.  The group aims to support any young person who has Asperger’s Syndrome/ high-functioning autism.  Diagnosis of Asperger’s/ high-functioning autism is patchy and can take a long time, so you do not need a formal diagnosis in order to join the group.  “Nobody should feel excluded,” said Jayne Dillon, herself the parent of two children with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Aspergers/ High-functioning autism support meeting at Better Tuition.

The planning meeting will take place from 7.30pm this Wednesday, March 20th, at Better Tuition, 1 Crofts Bank Road, Urmston, M41 0XH (entrance on Flixton Rd).  All parents, carers and interested professionals – as well as any of the young people the group aims to support – are invited to attend.

“We hope that parents and carers of young people with Asperger’s Syndrome will attend the meeting and help shape the group,” says Jayne Dillon.  Jayne has appeared on TV and in newspapers across the world, speaking about how her cat, Jessi-cat, voted Cat of the Year 2012, helped her son Lorcan overcome selective mutism, which can be a feature of Asperger’s Syndrome.  She is currently working on a book about this.  You can read more about Jayne’s appearances in the media here, or follow her on Twitter.

Asperger’s Syndrome is a form of high-functioning autism, a developmental disorder that affects communication and language functions.  Young people with Asperger’s Syndrome often go under the radar in schools.  They often perform well academically and because they tend to be socially withdrawn, their behaviour does not pose a problem in lessons.  Diagnosis is therefore often delayed and intervention in school can be patchy.  There can be crippling shyness, a phobia of interacting with others, and an inability to pick up on social signals and all of this can lead to severe depression.  A support group is urgently needed to inspire, embolden and empower these young people.

The group aims to have two strands:

– helping primary school aged children with social skills.

– providing teenagers with a forum for support and socialising.

“We know that there is a desperate need for support in the area and we hope that by coming together we can make a huge difference to children and young people with Asperger’s,” says Jayne.  The group has already made contact with local autism charity Hearts and Minds, and has received offers of support from Stretford and Urmston MP Kate Green, among others.

If you cannot attend the meeting but would like to be involved, please get in touch with the group via email.  There is also an internet forum.  Children are very welcome at the meeting, but do be aware that this first meeting is primarily for planning, so there won’t be any organised activities for them.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net