Autism News

November 2003

This month on our website

Not September but during the past four weeks these changes occurred;-

• 118 amendments, some of which were minor grammatical improvements, most were updates or major alterations.
• 18 items of news added.
• 47 new photographs/ images added, all naturally in colour.
• 10 events / activities were announced.
• One page was renamed.
• One truly gigantic page was built and added – possibly 4,000 words of code.
• Two further pages were added.

Our site is, naturally still developing and in a couple of months should be fairly complete so please don’t expect this activity every month.

Jrc

How do you like yours?

One such passing acquaintance related a story to me that seems very relevant to our group. She has a son with autism and prefers to obtain her support and information on this subject "online" rather than first hand from a local support group.

Her local, Mid Essex group was founded during 1996, they eventually represented almost 40 families, some of whom naturally had more than one member with autism. Initially meeting at each others homes, they began to organise activities, registered as a charity and acquired grants to help pay for their work.

However during 2001 the group began to wither and is now about to close and be absorbed by a larger local charity. This group failed not for want of members, but for lack of active people to give a truly small amount of time each year to their group. Briefly the few workers became fed up with "doing it all".

For months now we have had no Group Secretary. Yes, it carries some responsibility but no, it’s not an onerous task, it won’t take much of anyone’s time – I’d guess ten or twenty hours each year would be sufficient.

Do you prefer your support online or first hand?

jrc

Ignorance: Friend or Foe

Dear Lindsey

After reading your letter in last month's newsletter I had to respond. How can people be so narrow-minded! What gives these people the right to judge a situation, when they are not directly involved in that situation; when they have not seen with their own eyes what is or has been going on; or heard with their own ears what is or has been said! At the end of the day people have a choice, a choice to be ignorant and judgmental or a choice to get the facts and get the facts right.

It is so easy to listen and believe in hearsay to me that is the easy way out of a situation, due to fear, disbelief or shame. These people fail to realise the negative effect’s their behaviour has on us parents of children with special needs and the knock-on effect it has on our children. These people are so consumed by their own tunnel vision belief’s that they fail to see the overall picture of their actions/inaction's. They will only understand a situation and it’s effects when they themselves experience a similar situation or know someone close who has.

I am fortunate that I have a very good support network, without that network things would be much harder and difficult to cope with. I hope that you have a good support network. You know your son better than anybody; do what is best for you and your son. Hold your head up high for you and your son have done nothing wrong, your conscience is clear; you know the truth and its effect’s on your own experience and situation. Show these people that you and your son will rise above the hostility. Remember that you are not responsible for other people’s actions or attitude’s towards you or your son. They are responsible for their own!

Fiona

Once Again WSGA is named Charity of the Year

 I have been advised by Geoff Horsman of the Dewsbury Friday Owls that they have made Wakefield Support Group for Autism their "Charity of the Year". This came about from contact I had with a lady in Dewsbury. Her mother is a member of the OWLS and they were looking for a worthy, local charity to support into 2004.

The OWLS (Over 60’s Weekday Leisure Scheme) have two groups (the "Wednesdays" and the "Fridays"). Both groups meet in Dewsbury Sports Centre where they can lunch, access keep-fit sessions, Badminton, Tennis, Swimming etc. and invite along monthly speakers.

As their new Charity of the Year, Geoff asked if a couple of WSGA members would be willing to come along next year (March) to talk on Autism to the Friday Owls. It seems likely that we will be asked to come along to speak to the Wednesday group as both join together in fundraising. (Two sessions are necessary due to limited room space.)

On behalf of everyone, I would just like to say "thank you" to the OWLS for thinking of us. Perhaps publicity from this will reach many Dewsbury families as yet unknown to us and help raise awareness and understanding of ASD in the district.

Monthly Meeting

Monday November 3^rd., 7.30 p.m.

Our guest speaker at this meeting will be Julie Holliday, Principal Officer (SEN) for our local authority.

In addition to being a senior SEN officer in our education department, Julie is importantly also a qualified teacher who has herself taught children with SEN and children with autism.

Julie cares passionately about children with SEN and the whole subject of Educational SEN. She has stated very firmly to me that she does understand our difficulties as parents, also our children’s problems.

Please do let us extend our customary courtesy to our guest who is giving up her evening for our mutual benefits. It should be an interesting and informative talk, please do try to attend and hear for yourself, directly from Julie.

See you there?

My daughter, Karen and my lovely Grandson, Matthew, came to mind when I recently came across the following. It moved me greatly so I thought I would share this. Carole

YOU ARE VERY SPECIAL

In all the world there is nobody like you.

Since the beginning of time there has never been another person like you.

Nobody has your smile, your eyes, your hands or your hair.

Nobody owns your handwriting or your voice. YOU ARE SPECIAL.

Nobody can paint your brush strokes.

Nobody has your taste for food, music, dance or art.

Nobody in the universe sees things as you do.

In all time there has never been anyone who laughs in exactly your way,

and what makes you laugh, cry or think has a totally different response in another. So…

You are different from any other person who has ever lived in the history of the universe.

You are the only one in the whole creation who has your particular set of abilities.

There is always someone who is better at one thing or another.

Every person is my superior in at least one way.

Nobody in the universe can reach the quality of the combination of your talents and your feelings.

Like a roomful of musical instruments, some might excel in one way or another but nobody can match the symphonic sound when all are played together.

Through all eternity no one will ever walk, talk, think or do things exactly like you.

You are rare and in all rarity there is enormous value and, because of your great value, the need for you to imitate anyone else is absolutely wrong.

YOU ARE SPECIAL and it is no accident that you are.

Please realise that God made you for a special purpose.

He has a job for you to do that nobody else can do as well as you can.

Out of the billions of applications only one is qualified.

Only one has the unique and right combination of what it takes - and that one is YOU.

Self Help, Support and Information Organisation for Parents/Carers of a Special Needs Child

The Old Restaurant Room,

Town Hall, Wakefield

An invitation is extended to parents and carers of ’Special Needs’ children and young people, organisations and service providers to discuss matters relating to Inclusion.

There will be workshops associated with Inclusion issues and there will be ample opportunity to share information and air views in open discussion. Buffet lunch will be provided FREE to parents and carers of a child with a Special Need, with a charge of £5.00 per head for professional bodies.

For booking details, please contact Special Abilities,

PO Box 360, Wakefield WF2 8WG

Telephone 07796 038291

Email: special@abilities.fsnet.co.uk

Christmas Party

This years Christmas Party will be held on 14^th December 2003 at St Peter and Paul's Church (Opposite Asda)

If you would like your Child to attend please fill in the form below and return it to Mandi Gay, 30 Peacock Avenue, Wakefield WF2 0eg before Monday 1^st December 2003.

PS Santa has put us in his Diary

Hope to see you all there!