Issue: 39 – September-December 2018

(Formerly the Stroud Autistic Support Group) Reg. Charity No. 269425

Dear Branch Members, Branch We hope that you all had a good Summer? It was lovely to c/o. Alderman Knight School, see lots of families at our Cattle Country evening in July – Ashchurch Road, , Gloucestershire we have always been lucky with the weather and, GL20 8JJ thankfully, this year was no different! Email: [email protected]**

Website: www.nas-gloucestershire.com We would like to welcome Juliette Breen to our branch. Juliette has recently joined our committee and we very **Please note branch inbox is manned by much look forward to working with her in the near future. a volunteer and we will get back to you as soon as we can. We have introduced a slight change to our branch newsletters. You will now receive three issues per annum, Branch Committee: rather than our usual four. We feel this would be more practical and also give families more notice of future events Branch Officer: Janet Davies and activities. Dep Branch Officer Rachel Brown

Our 10th Annual General Meeting is on Thursday 4th Treasurer: Ian Bennett October where our existing committee members will be up Com Member Lou Norman for re-election. After the AGM, we are thrilled that Sam Com Member Juliette Breen Ramsay from The Curly Hair Project will be giving a talk about ‘Different Behaviours at Home vs at School’. It would Volunteers: be lovely to see you at this evening. Membership Secretary Gill Nunn Best Wishes, Email: [email protected] Janet Davies and Rachel Brown Website Editor Ray Woods

Activity Bookings Tina Creed The National Autistic Society: Secretary: NAS Website: www.autism.org.uk Email: [email protected] NAS Autism Helpline: 0808 800 4104 Parent to Parent Support: 0808 800 4106 Newsletter Editor: Amanda Jenkins Education Rights: 0808 800 4102 Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected] Activity Bookings Tina Creed Email: [email protected]

Any reference to external websites are provided for your help and information only. They are sites maintained by

other groups, organisations and individuals and these links are provided in good faith. The presence of a link does

not necessarily imply that this branch endorses or supports the originator(s), nor does the absence of a group imply

that the NAS does not support it and cannot be held responsible for the quality of the information provided.

Forthcoming Branch Meetings/Activities September Informal Parent Support Meetings: An opportunity to get together and meet other parents/carers for chat, support and refreshments.

Thursday, 13th September Springbank Centre, Cheltenham (10am-12 noon) (Hosted by Amanda Jenkins)

October/November AGM/Free Evening Autism Talk - Thursday, 4th October 2018 Subject: Different Behaviours at Home vs at School Speaker: Sam Ramsay (from The Curly Hair Project) Venue: Alderman Knight School, Tewkesbury Time: 7.00pm-9.00pm

7.00pm – 10th Annual General Meeting: The purpose of the AGM is to formally elect a new branch committee. The AGM gives branch members the chance to seek election to the committee and provide the existing Branch Officer, Treasurer and Committee members the opportunity to offer themselves for re-election, alongside any other branch members who wish to put themselves forward.

7.10pm – Autism Talk by Sam Ramsay Different Behaviours at Home vs at School One of the most common things we hear from parents is that their child is well behaved at school but has terrible outbursts at home. Because the teachers don’t see these difficult behaviours, it might cause them to disbelieve the parents or not believe there are any ‘problems.’

Similarly with adults, an adult may get on very well at work and appear friendly and kind to their co-workers, yet can behave very differently and be difficult at home.

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Different Behaviours at Home vs at School – Cont’d. Professor Tony Attwood refers to this as the Jekyll and Hyde character. It has been highlighted in many sources that individuals on the autistic spectrum display significantly different behaviours in different settings. We will look at some reasons why this might occur and how the people around the ASD individual could better support them.

Sam Ramsay – Biography: I am 51 years old with 18 year old twin girls, one of which was diagnosed with Asperger’s at the age of 14. Prior to that, our daughter was diagnosed with an eating disorder, which, in our view, was her way of dealing with the anxiety of her undiagnosed autism.

I started my career in Human Resources, and at the point I commenced my maternity leave I was a Deputy Director in HR in the NHS. Like many people, after children, I started to look at what I was doing and decided that I wanted to do something that fitted better with my family, so retrained as a teacher.

I discovered Alis Rowe (founder of The Curly Hair Project) and her work four years ago and I have found the whole approach to be amazingly refreshing! The training, books and social media posts have been a fantastic support to me and my family as we learn to understand the diagnosis and how it presents itself in my daughter.

I have had the privilege of working with Alis longer than any other team member and have enjoyed helping Alis to build and manage the team of trainers that we have, across the UK. I have enjoyed speaking with Alis at NAS conferences and being interviewed with her on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. During my time at Curly Hair Project, we have developed the range of training offered, now have numerous corporate clients and have also introduced webinars. I believe that the work that we offer is unique; written by an autistic adult, delivered by a parent of an autistic child, we provide real lived experience. For parents and professionals alike, this gives great insight.

To book a place: Bookings can be requested by email: [email protected] or by using the booking request form at the back of the newsletter. Email requests need to specify number of places you would like, names of those wishing to attend and whether you are a parent/carer/ family member/person with autism or professional.

Non-branch members are welcome to attend this talk, although as we anticipate our AGM will last no more than 10 minutes, ask that non-members arrive for 7pm and sit in at this meeting so that our speaker can start immediately after this meeting is concluded. Please note that non-branch members will be unable to vote at our AGM - thank you!

*For more information about AGM, 2018 Branch Committee Nominations are included in ‘Other Branch Information’ of this newsletter.

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Informal Parent Support Meetings: An opportunity to get together and meet other parents/carers for chat, support and refreshments.

Thursday, 11th October Springbank Centre, Cheltenham (10am-12 noon) (Hosted by Amanda Jenkins)

Thursday, 8th November Springbank Centre, Cheltenham (10am-12 noon) (Hosted by Amanda Jenkins)

December Parent Support Christmas Lunch:

Thursday, 13th December Christmas Lunch (meeting up at 12 noon) (Hosted by Amanda Jenkins) Venue TBC*

*If you would like to attend, please contact the branch for more information

Aladdin at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham Saturday, 22nd December (2pm) Pantomime Contribution: £5 per person This year’s performance is Aladdin – the pantomime where wishes do come true! Tweedy – our all time favourite - returns as Wishy Washy for more comic genie-ous in the most magical pantomime of them all!

Polish your magic lamp and book a magic carpet ride to the Everyman Theatre for the highlight of the season.

We have purchased 40 tickets for the matinee performance. We are asking those wishing to attend to register their interest by Friday, 2nd November by completing the booking request form (at the back of this newsletter). After this date, we will collect all booking requests and allocate tickets accordingly. If interest exceeds tickets, names will be drawn out at random and then confirm bookings.

Please note: In order to allow as many families as possible the opportunity to attend, each booking is limited to a maximum of two adults per family.

Closing date to request your interest is Friday, 2nd November.

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Other Branch Information

Branch AGM Nominations 2018: Please take a moment to consider whether you would like to get involved in the future running of this branch and stand as a member of our Branch committee in our forthcoming AGM. This is a voluntary role and may be of interest to a parent, carer, family member or professional with an interest in autism. Our committee meetings are usually held every 6-8 weeks in Tewkesbury and all reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed. There is some flexibility regarding time and location of committee meetings, so if you are interested in becoming a committee member we would be pleased to hear from you. Please note that your request in writing will need to be submitted by 21st September 2018. For more information, please email Janet Davies at [email protected].

To date, we are giving notice that Branch AGM nominations for 2018 are:-  Janet Davies – Branch Officer (seeking re-election for an eighth year)  Ian Brown – Treasurer (seeking re-election for a tenth year)  Rachel Brown – Deputy Branch Officer (seeking re-election for a tenth year)

Resource Library: We have a large collection of books available to loan from our resource library which is now situated at Alderman Knight School, Tewkesbury. A library listing is on our branch website: http://www.nas-gloucestershire.com/library.html. You may loan or view books by arranged appointment. If you wish to borrow any of our books or peruse our library, then please email the branch on [email protected].

General Information:

New blue badge rules to benefit people with hidden disabilities - In July 2018, the Department of Transport (DfT) announced that the Blue Badge scheme is to be extended to people with hidden disabilities, including autism and mental health conditions. Although people with non-physical disabilities are not excluded

from receiving a Blue Badge, the current rules are open to interpretation. The new criteria will give clear and consistent guidelines on Blue Badge eligibility for the whole of England. (New criteria will be……PTO)

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New blue badge rules – Cont’d. The new criteria will extend eligibility to people who:

 cannot undertake a journey without there being a risk of serious harm to their health or safety or that of any other person (such as young children with autism)  cannot undertake a journey without it causing them very considerable psychological distress  have very considerable difficulty when walking (both the physical act and experience of walking)

The changes follow an 8-week consultation and are part of the government’s drive for greater parity between physical and mental health conditions.

For more information, please refer to Gloucestershire County Council Website: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/disabilities/apply-for-a-blue- badge/ or contact them on 01242 532302.

Tewkesbury Young Adults Club – Allsorts (16-25 years) Every Saturday – 12.30 – 3.30pm Venue: and Sports Centre Cost: £10 per session This weekly club has been set up by Allsorts for disabled young adults and their families. Activities include sports, arts and crafts, music, board games and more! If you would like to find out more, please contact Max, Young Adult Co-Ordinator, on [email protected] or call Allsorts on Tel. 01453 750474.

Time Out for Parents: Special Needs Course – Kingfisher Treasurer Seekers Cost: £21 for the course (seven sessions) Time Out for Parents: Children with Special Needs (3-11 years) is a course for parents of children with special needs. It gives practical, jargon free advice and practical steps for parents to engage and build relationships with their children with special needs. The course is a fantastic opportunity to also build relationships with other parents. There are seven sessions, including: 1. Parenting children with special needs 2. Self-esteem 3. Coping with your feelings 4. Understanding behaviour 5. Managing behaviour 6. Home and school issues 7. The wider family The course runs at various points throughout the year. For more information, please contact Gill Parkinson on 01452 228489 or email [email protected].

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National Autistic Society Christmas Cards 2018 Get an early start to the festive season - this year, yet again, the NAS have a fantastic selection of cards to choose from, with something to suit every friend or relative. Whatever may take your fancy, remember that by buying and sending their cards, you’re raising vital awareness of autism.

Christmas cards can be purchased online – weblink: https://www.autism.org.uk/shop/nas-merchandise/christmas-cards.aspx

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Thursday, 4th October 2018 10th AGM / FREE Evening Autism Talk by Sam Ramsay (7-9pm) at Alderman Knight School, Tewkesbury

Name: ...... Tel. No: ......

Address:......

...... Email: …......

□ I am a Parent / Carer / Family Member / Person with AS and would like to book ….... (no. of places)

□ I am a Professional and would like to book ...... (no. of places).

Name of Organisation: …………………………………………………..

Note: If booking more than one place, please include additional name(s) on reverse of this form.

Please return completed form to: NAS Gloucestershire Branch, c/o. Alderman Knight School, Ashchurch Road, Tewkesbury, Glos. GL20 8JJ

Alternatively, places may be booked by emailing your request (to include information requested on the booking form) to [email protected].

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Aladdin - Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Saturday, 22nd December (2pm) Pantomime Contribution: £5 per person*

Name: .………..….….………...……………..………..…. Tel. No: ………...…....……..…..………….

Address:………….………….……..…………….....…...………………………………………………..…

......

Email:...... ……......

Total no. of tickets requested: ...... (*max no. of adults per family is two)

No. of Children/Young People: ……… No. of Adults/Carers/Adult with AS*: ..……

Names: (1) ………..…………….…………..….. (2) .…….………..….…..………………...….

(3) …….…..…………….…..….…….... (4) …..……..……………………..………..…

I enclose a cheque for £: ….…….… (made payable to ‘NAS Gloucestershire Branch’)

I understand that an adult must stay and is responsible for all accompanied children/young people during this afternoon:

Signature: ….………………………………… Print Name: ……………………………………..

Please return this completed booking request form, together with payment, to:- NAS Gloucestershire Branch, c/o. Alderman Knight School, Ashchurch Road, Tewkesbury, Glos. GL20 8JJ

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Selection of photographs taken from this year’s Summer Activity Week

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