AUTISM How Can the Right Classroom AWARENESS DAY About His Life with Autism Environment Aid Development? TODAY No
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A SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET DISTRIBUTED WITHIN THE INDEPENDENT Managing the condition Educational needs Artist David Downes talks WORLD AUTISM How can the right classroom AWARENESS DAY about his life with autism environment aid development? TODAY No. 3 / April ’12 SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AUTISM WORK TOGETHER, MAKE A DIFFERENCE Community spirit: Why it is so important for those aff ected PHOTOS: PROVIDED BY BRAINWAVE, RUSKIN MILL TRUST, ANNA KENNEDY, PRIVATE Registered Charity No. 800797 and SCO38972 Charity No. 800797 Registered Autism Spectrum Partners; providing a range of person centred support services to adults and children with autism. www.thedtgroup.org Email: [email protected] Tel. 01444 239123 2 · APRIL 2012 A SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET DISTRIBUTED WITHIN THE INDEPENDENT CHALLENGES Autism is common, affecting around one in every 100 people. Yet despite increased awareness of the condition there are still misconceptions to combat, says Mark Lever, CEO of the National Autistic Society WE RECOMMEND Kate Williams Head of policy and public affairs, Ambitious about Autism PAGE 8 ‘The evidence is that Understanding autism the earlier the child starts getting support, ifty years ago, a small out there about the condition and debate in the autism community group of friends met what living with it is really like. and beyond. the more progress in north London, frus- This is why supplements like this they are able to make’ trated at the lack of have a vital role to play in spreading Looking to the future understanding and the autism word and why the com- It’s very easy to think of autism Understand the spectrum p. 4 help available for munity is delighted to be working 3 as a condition just affecting chil- Know the signs and get a diagnosis them and their chil- with Mediaplanet on this edition. dren. But children with autism grow Childhood to adulthood p. 9 The challenges facing adults with autism dren with autism. Deciding to act for Autism is a spectrum condition, up to be adults with autism. As a com- Fthemselves, they started a process of meaning that it affects people differ- munity, and as a society, we should all transforming people’s understand- ently. However, most people with au- be thinking about what we can do to ing of autism and changing the lives tism will share a difficulty in making help young adults with autism make of everyone affected by the condition. sense of the world and experience the transition from school to college I’m very proud to lead the organisa- issues with social interaction and or from school to work and indeed We make our readers succeed! tion that has this inspirational group sensory integration. This can make childhood to adulthood as a whole. AUTISM, 2ND EDITION, as its founders — and to be part of an everyday life confusing and disori- We hope that you find this sup- APRIL 2012 active and engaged autism commu- entating and can lead to people feel- plement helpful, enlightening and Managing Director: Chris Emberson nity that comes together on days like ing alone and ignored. But with the above all inspiring. Autism doesn’t Editorial and Production Manager: Faye Godfrey today, World Autism Awareness Day, right support at the right time, peo- Mark Lever discriminate — it affects people no Business Development Manager: CEO, National Autistic Society to highlight this serious, lifelong and ple with autism can lead fulfilling, matter what their social background, Dominic Webber disabling condition. purposeful and active lives and con- useful help and advice. sexual orientation or gender. Responsible for this issue: Project Manager: Talia Levine tribute a great deal. We’ve come a long way since the As my organisation celebrates its Phone: 020 7665 4417 Misconceptions days when children with autism 50th birthday, the autism communi- E-mail: [email protected] There are currently over half a The debate continues were labelled as ‘psychotic’ or ‘un- ty is reflecting on the many changes Distributed with: The Independent, 1 million people in the UK with Understanding autism, As- educable’ but the debates around that have taken place over the years April 2012 2 Print: The Independent autism — about one in every 100 peo- perger syndrome and dealing autism and education contin- and the progress that we’ve made. Mediaplanet contact information: ple. The laws of probability mean that with a diagnosis can be daunting, ue. At the time of writing, we are But we’re never complacent and Phone: 0207 665 4400 Fax: 0207 665 4419 this is likely to include someone that whether you are a parent, a carer still waiting to see the govern- know that there is much more work E-mail: [email protected] you know, or love or care for. But for or the person with autism yourself, ment’s plans for special education to be done. We hope that you will Mediaplanet takes full responsibility for all the lives that autism touches there and we hope that this supplement needs (SEN); and the free school join us in helping more people with the contents of this supplement is still a great deal of misconception will bust some myths and provide programme has generated much autism lead the life they choose. Creating positive futures for special people Hillcrest is dedicated to helping children and young adults develop the Anna Kennedy - believing in a better future for those with ASC skills and confidence necessary to help them fulfil their potential. Our staff When her two sons were diagnosed with autism back in 1997 have great skill and commitment in delivering individualised and child Anna Kennedy responded in a remarkable way by simply not accepting that centred approaches to care and education, with the emphasis on long her children should be placed at the back of the class and effectively term goals and planning for the future. forgotten because they were too difficult to teach. She battled so hard that Hillcrest Autism Services offers specialist education for children with an she eventually had to create her own special school, Hillingdon Manor, autistic spectrum condition (ASC) and for individuals with learning which was to be the start of a great educational initiative for autistic children disabilities. We also provide residential care and day places at a specialist by Hillcrest. Anna has continued to fight for a better future for everyone with college for adults with ASC. Our specialist schools are: autism and three years ago set up Anna Kennedy Online, where parents, families and carers can get help and practical support to improve their lives. Hillingdon Manor - an independent special school catering for up to Anna’s enthusiasm and drive is seen in the number and variety of events 150 children aged between 3 and a half and 19 years of and initiatives she creates to raise funds for the charity. age. The school is based in the London Borough of Hillingdon and Autism’s Got Talent supports surrounding Local Authority On Saturday 12th May at the Mermaid Theatre, London, Anna Kennedy areas. All pupils at the school have a Online presents, with Pineapple Performing Arts, ‘Autism’s Got Talent’. diagnosis of an ASC. A wide range of The event will bring together a diverse group of people who are all on the ability levels may be expected along Autistic Spectrum to come and show everyone just how talented they are. with a diversity of challenging attributes. Step in the Right Direction www.hillingdonmanorschool.org.uk A ground breaking dance and exercise DVD for children and young people with Baston House - situated in a beautiful 5 acre autism. Produced in association with the world famous Pineapple Performing Arts location in Hayes, near Bromley. The School in London and the students of Hillingdon Manor School, “STEP IN THE school provides specialist education RIGHT DIRECTION” demonstrates that making progress for those affected by for children aged between 5 and 16 autism through dance is achievable. years of age who have been Dance the day away on April 27th diagnosed with an ASC. On April 27th Anna Kennedy wants everyone to join in the event and hold a dance www.bastonhouseschool.org.uk literally anywhere! It could be a lot of fun and if you raise money for autism in the process it will be very worthwhile as well. Established in 1994 Hillcrest continues to grow and develop, and remains one of the UK's leading For details of all of these events and products visit: www.annakennedyonline.com residential care providers for looked after children. Meet Anna Kennedy at The Autism Show 15-16 June 2012, Excel, London For tickets visit www.autismshow.co.uk www.autismshow.co.uk http://www.hillcrestcare.co.uk/ www.intensiveinteraction.co.uk Intensive Interaction helps people who have autism to learn some very basic but very important things: Intensive Interaction Institute eye contacts learning to connect facial expressions non-verbal communication vocalisations turn-taking enjoying being with others interacting concentrating & attending Find out more today Courses, information and publications at: www.intensiveinteraction.co.uk 4 · APRIL 2012 A SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET DISTRIBUTED IN THE INDEPENDENT NEWS BE ALERT TO OLLY MURS WITH JACK MASKERY AND HIS FAMILY THE SIGNS Phil Edge OF AUTISM CEO, Brainwave ■ Question: What is autism is that diagnosis is on the increase. Early diagnosis and how can it affect people? Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean The government’s 2009 Autism Act ■ Answer: It’s a lifelong that there is rise in the incidents of — the fi rst ever disability-specifi c PHOTO: TONY SALE PHOTOGRAPHY developmental condition that autism because, previously, chil- law in England — put a duty on the can affect people in a variety dren who may have had the condi- government to produce a strategy “It was great to meet some of I came down to visit the centre in of different ways — so it’s tion simply weren’t diagnosed.” for adults with the condition.