Aspies For Freedom

Autism Awareness Week launched

01 October 2007

From October 1st to 7th charities will be promoting the fact that is Autism Awareness Week and calling on the government for better planning in the care services for people with autism and better support for their families.
Despite the fact that over 600,000 people have autism in the UK, the Autism Alliance says the planning and commissioning of services for sufferers often does not focus on the needs of autistic people living in the community.Education, care and support services are usually commissioned by social services departments and primary care trusts, but the organisation claims that resources often are not best used due to ineffective planning.The Autism Alliance is calling for this week to mark the opportunity for discussing improved planning of services for people with autism It will be sending appeal letters to commissioners and distributing posters about the campaign.

The Alliance will urge people with autism and their carers to request copies of commissioning plans from their service providers and to write to the prime minister calling for better planning of services for autistics.Meanwhile the National Autistic Society (NAS) is supporting Autism Alliance's campaign.NAS director of services Neil McConachie said: "Lack of efficient planning and poor commissioning practice presently leads to people with autism either receiving services which may not meet their needs, or no services at all. Government needs to work in partnership with the voluntary sector, and greater funding is vital if people with autism and their families are to have access to the support and services they need.

"Autism is much more common than people think, affecting an estimated one in 100 people in the UK. It can have a profound effect on individuals and their families. Every day the NAS helpline takes calls from people affected by autism who can't access the appropriate support and much more needs to be done at a local level to provide the necessary services."

Govt, Oppn announce autism plans

Posted 1 hour 11 minutes ago
Updated 33 minutes ago
PM John Howard says the plan will focus on early intervention for about 15,000 families affected by autism across Australia. (File photo)

PM John Howard says the plan will focus on early intervention for about 15,000 families affected by autism across Australia. (File photo) (AAP: Mick Tsikas)

    * Related Story: Labor pledges specialist autism centres

The Federal Government has unveiled a range of measures to help autistic children.

Prime Minister John Howard says the package will include new Medicare-funded services to diagnose autism, extra training and support for families, and professional development for teachers.

This morning, Labor has announced that they will open six specialist autism centres, if elected to government.

The Howard Government has not yet put a price tag on the measures.

Mr Howard says they will focus on early intervention for about 15,000 families affected by autism across Australia.

"I'm no expert, but I'm told by the experts that early intervention - as in so many areas where there are problems and people have a challenged existence - early intervention is always the best way to go," he said.

Tags: federal-government, health, health-policy, federal-election-2007, howard-john, a
NSW Govt to support autism foundation
5 Aug 2007   - 8 weeks ago

Shining a Light on Autism
Author: Laurie Watt
Date: Oct 02, 2007
Their fight has made it onto Ontario’s provincial election radar – and parents of children with autism lit candles Monday night to remind themselves to be vigilant in the fight to equip their children to shine.

Gathered outside MPP Joe Tascona’s downtown Barrie constituency office, the group included parents, siblings, friends and neighbours of families affected by autism, a complex neurological disorder that affects language, behaviour and social skills. Its incidence continues to rise, with one in every 150 children affected; a decade ago, incidence was pegged at one in 1,000.

“Every individual with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder has the right to shine,” said Tanya Stephenson, whose five-year-old son, Tyler, has autism.

“Each of you is making a difference. We are beginning to be seen. We’re being heard and we’re making sure those we love with autism will be seen and heard.”

Joining in the sunset vigil was Lynne Watt, a neighbour and friend of the DeCarlo family. Cindy and Sergio DeCarlo have a son, Mitchell, who has autism.

“There’s a gap that needs to be filled for care and services for these children,” said Watt.

“With the efforts of the DeCarlos, change has happened.”

On the provincial campaign trail, and even locally, candidates have sparred over the treatment of how both the Progressive Conservative and Liberal governments have treated children with autism. For years, access to an intensive behaviour program was limited to children ages six and under.

After court challenges, the government finally opened access to the therapy – which costs about $50,000 per year per child – to those over age six.

The specialized therapy has been shown to assist children with autism learn to talk and to gain social skills, regardless of their chronological age. The success of therapy most often relates to mental age, and many children with Autism Spectrum Disorders have mental ages lower than six years, although they may be chronologically older.

I wonder if this is UK only, or world wide?

Everybody break out your Aspie-licious tee shirts!

Over 100 attend autism conference

By ANITA B. HOFSCHNEIDER
Intern Reporter

The challenges of raising a child who has autism; the difficulty in ensuring that the child obtains education and employment; and the struggle to find information and support are a few of the many issues faced by the parents of children with autism.

This week, parents, together with government officials, school administrators and other community members, came together during the Conference on Autism and Its Success in Employment to discuss these issues and find help and information.

Sponsored by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the conference celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month and acts as a venue for information exchange and communication among those involved in helping persons with autism.

Yesterday, participants addressed issues such as parent-teacher communication, employer awareness, and the availability of information and support.

The keynote speaker was Stephen Shore, author, professor, consultant, and speaker on autism from Massachusetts. His talk centered on “Success with Autism” and “Autism through the Life Span”.

As a child, Shore was diagnosed with “strong autistic tendencies” and was non-verbal until the age of 4, but with help from his parents, teachers, and others, Shore was able to develop his capacities. He has been helping others do the same now.

Over a hundred people listened as Shore shared his experiences and knowledge. For some, his words touched the heart of their own experiences.

Parents expressed gratitude for the conference and the support of all those involved. Autism, some expressed, is a daunting family challenge; however, many also acknowledged that the rewards could be great, if only autism is met with patience and passion.

The conference will continue today until Friday from 8am to 3pm at Fiesta Resort & Spa Hibiscus Hall.