Yesterday evening, Better Tuition hosted the first meeting of a dynamic new group of parents, carers and professionals who came together to discuss support for young people with Asperger’s Syndrome/ high-functioning autism.

Find support for Asperger’s/ high-functioning autism in Trafford at www.trafforasd.com.

You can read all about the meeting on the group’s forum, but here are some observations I made:

1.  Support for under 10s with Asperger’s/ high-functioning autism is scarce in Trafford.  This is partly because it is so hard to get a diagnosis before the age of 10.  Even when a diagnosis is given, it is often accompanied by an discharge from CAMHS.  Parents and carers are quite desperate for support at an early stage, to prevent issues such as lack of social skills causing huge problems in later years.  The group aims to help children and young people of any age and a formal diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome/ high-functioning autism is not necessary.

2.  Parents and carers really benefited from being able to share experience.  Being a parent of a child with Asperger’s/ high functioning autism (and many other SEN or disabilities) is isolating; there is comfort in knowing others understand.  Furthermore, the daunting labyrinth of diagnosis and professional support services can seem almost impossible to negotiate.  Parents can share information that helps others access services more easily.  The group may well organise some coffee meetups for parents and carers in the future.

3.  There is a real need for teachers to become more aware of Asperger’s Syndrome/ high-functioning autism.  Autistic people have a different take on the world.  They don’t access information in quite the same way; this affects their ability to understand instructions, for example.  Because young people with high-functioning autism are generally very able, failure to understand a task can be mistaken for obstinacy. Group member Jayne Dillon has already met with a representative of Hearts and Minds, a local charity which plans to offer training in autism awareness to schools.

The meeting was extremely positive and full of energy, ideas and knowledge.

The group agreed to meet again at 7.30pm on 24th April 2013 at Better Tuition.  All are welcome.  You can visit the group’s forum at www.traffordasd.com or contact the group via email at traffordaspergers@yahoo.co.uk.