autism london provides an unequalled and caring service it is always there when my family most needs help and advice.

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1 autism london autism has devastated our family it s not just our son who feels angry, frustrated and isolated. autism london has helped us to cope, by providing us with essential advice, information and support.

2 autism london provides an unequalled and caring service it is always there when my family most needs help and advice. Autism London is an independent charity formed by parents concerned about the lack of provision for children with Autism, Asperger s Syndrome and similar communication and behavioural difficulties. We provide information, advice and support for carers living in Greater London and the children and adults they look after.

3 people with autism find it hard to understand the world around them trying to explain autism to someone who hasn t lived with it is equally difficult. WHAT IS AUTISM? Autism affects the way that a person communicates and relates to other people. It crosses all intellectual abilities and cultures, but is more common in boys than girls. Medical research suggests that Autism can be caused by brain dysfunction, genetic factors and viruses and that as many as one in every 150 people displays Autistic tendencies. Early diagnosis is difficult because people with Autism can display a wide range of characteristics in varying degrees. People with Autism often have difficulty with language and communication and with forming social relationships. They find it difficult to play or use their imagination and their motor and co-ordination skills may be affected. Other features include challenging or repetitive behaviour and resisting any change to their routine. Autism can t be cured, but people with Autism can achieve a better quality of life with the right support, treatment and education. LIVING WITH AUTISM Autism affects every single member of the household. Simple everyday activities, such as going shopping or inviting friends to stay, suddenly become a logistical nightmare. The person with Autism becomes the centre of attention and this increases tension in the family, especially among brothers and sisters. Early diagnosis can be difficult and confusion with other language and learning disorders, such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, is common. Then there s the problem of finding suitable educational and support services and residential and respite care. Parents also worry about how they will cope when they get older or if they become ill themselves. WE HAVE LIVED WITH AUTISM AND NOW WE ARE HELPING OTHERS TO DO THE SAME. BUT WE CAN ONLY SUPPORT THEM IF YOU SUPPORT US.

4 autism london supports thousands of people every year, through its helpline, family support services team and community initiatives programme. OUR LONDON helpline receives over 7,500 calls a year. 85% of the calls are from carers or individuals affected by Autistic spectrum disorders, with the balance coming from medical, education and social welfare professionals. Some people call us for information about a wide range of issues, including diagnosis, education and respite care. Others just need a reassuring and understanding voice on the other end of the phone. HELPLINE OVER 300 youngsters a year benefit from our innovative Propeller Project, which encourages children and young people to express themselves through arts and leisure projects. Recent projects have included creative writing workshops and a movement and dance project for younger children. This service is now being extended to adults. Family events include days out to attractions such as Legoland and Thorpe Park and our THE CHARITY S Family Support Services team helps annual Christmas party. over 1,100 people a year. We carry out home and outreach visits and provide advocacy support, representing people affected by Autism at social services and education reviews and other meetings. AUTISM LONDON also runs a residential home in Leyton, which provides seven adults affected by Autism with a home for life in a safe, supportive environment. We feel that this accommodation and support scheme SOME 350 people attend regular support groups in Barnet, Camden, Islington and Walthamstow. Speakers are invited to talk on specialist topics, such as is an example of good practice and we hope that it will act as a role model for other organisations working in this field. managing challenging behaviour and living with Asperger s Syndrome. WE ARE ALSO DEVELOPING OUR INTERNET SITE TO PROVIDE ON-LINE INFORMATION AND ADVICE.

5 Thousands of people rely on us for information, advice and support. We, in turn, rely on charitable donations and membership fees for our continued existence. If you d like more information about the range of services we provide, or would like to make a much-needed donation to support our work, please contact: Development and Fundraising Manager, Autism London, AS10 Rose Cottage, Aberdeen Centre, London N5 2EA. Tel: We are also keen to hear from volunteers, who can help out in a number of ways. These include working on arts and leisure projects, befriending and producing newsletter s. living with autism sometimes feels like a life sentence talking to people in the same boat has saved my sanity.

6 steve gist and desmond meldrum have both put their experiences on living with autism and asperger s syndrome down on paper steve s work was included in a collection of prose and poems published by the propeller project and desmond has written his autobiography. FEELING DIFFERENT Even from an early age, I always had this awareness that I was somehow different from other people. I did not speak until I was over three years old and then had great difficulty mixing with other people. I also developed all kind of strange fears, particularly of loud noises and flickering lights I would not sleep at night unless I had a particular object in my hand and during my waking hours, clung to my mother at all times. I understood what other people were saying, but I did not know how to respond. Desmond Meldrum WANTING TO HIDE Sitting on a train on the Metropolitan line, I saw a large warehouse with a sign in neon letters saying Wickfords Self-Storage. I got off at the next station, made my way with great difficulty, as I have no sense of direction, to the warehouse. When I got there I asked the first person I saw what sort of things you could store there. Absolutely anything she replied. What did you want us to store for you? Me I said hopefully I want to store myself in one of your storage places. May I ask why sir? Well people keep saying things to me that I don t want them to. I can t make them shut up and even if I do AUTISM LONDON AS10 Rose Cottage, Aberdeen Centre Highbury Grove, Islington, London N5 2EA they keep on doing it. Many noises hurt my ears and other noises I can t hear Steve Gist Tel: Autism London is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no Registered charity no Registered office as above. design: autumn design consultants