Show Your Support For Autism Berkshire This April in Honour of World Autism Awareness Day

Posted on 25 Mar 2021 by Amy Jackson
Autism Berkshire LogoAutism Berkshire’s mission is to help and support autistic children, young people and adults living in Berkshire and their families. Originally founded in 1990 as the Berkshire Autistic Society, the charity was established by a group of parents whose children had autism, related conditions and challenging behaviours.

This personal connection remains central to Autism Berkshire’s work more than 30 years later - most of the staff, volunteers and trustees have children, relatives or friends on the autism spectrum and/or extensive professional experience of autism.

 

What Do Autism Berkshire Do?


The charity runs a range of services to support people while they are waiting for an autism assessment and after a diagnosis:

Information & Advice - This is provided through the charity’s autism helpline, their website, and social media, along with regular e-newsletters and publications. Additionally, they offer a benefits service which helps individuals and families with applications and appeals.

Accessible Social & Leisure Activities - The charity runs accessible social and leisure activities including youth groups and trampolining for children and young people, as well as social and activity groups for adults with autism in Reading and Maidenhead, and fun days for families.

Autism-Specific Training & Support - Autism Berkshire provides workshops and courses about aspects of autism and family wellbeing for parents and carers, as well as advice about the autism assessment process within the NHS. Additionally, they also provide social and life skills courses for autistic adults and training about autism for professionals in sectors such as education, policing, public transport, and retail.

Working to Deliver Autism-Appropriate Services - The charity works with education, health, emergency and employment services, as well as the main councils in Berkshire to help deliver autism-appropriate services. They run a number of services commissioned by the NHS clinical commissioning groups and also take part in autism partnership boards in each council area.

Raising Awareness in the Wider Community - The charity does a number of things to help promote a greater understanding of autism within the wider community. This includes issuing the Berkshire Autism Alert Card, which is supported by Thames Valley Police; attending community information and fundraising events; and supporting national campaigns such as Autism Awareness Week. Additionally, they participate in efforts to encourage shops to offer Quiet Hours to help autistic customers.

 

The Impact of the Charity


Families value the services provided by Autism Berkshire. Recent comments from people it has helped include:

“I can't thank you enough. Lockdown has been the most challenging time I have experienced so far as a parent and the online seminars I have attended have changed life at home. I finally feel like I understand my son. I will never forget how amazing your service has been. Thank you from us all.”

“Thanks so much for your help. It was really reassuring to chat with someone who can relate and share their expertise!”

“It was really refreshing to speak to someone who understands and doesn't always question us. You gave us some really useful things/ideas to try and encouragement to keep pressing on.”

“Both my boys have benefited from trampolining. Rebound therapy has had enormously positive effects. We count ourselves as very fortunate to have had access to these fantastic sessions.”

 

How You Can Get Involved


This April, we are delighted to be supporting Autism Berkshire in our charity poll, in honour of Autism Awareness Week and World Autism Awareness Day on the 2nd April. You can help them continue providing their vital services to people with autism and their families by casting your vote for them today.

For more information about Autism Berkshire and how you can get involved with their work, visit their website: http://www.autismberkshire.org.uk/. 

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