Noticeboard
The Spending Challenge
On Friday 10th July the Government launched a website to let the public have their say about the public spending review. This is a real opportunity for parents to make our voices heard about the importance of investing in and protecting services for disabled children and their families.We Need Your Email Address
Thanks to a grant from the Grass Roots Fund we now have our own laptop. To keep costs down, and to make life easier for Susie, we would like to send our mail shots via email. So please send an up to date email address, together with your name and address to fassadmin@googlemail.comHampshire Autistic Society Summer Events
The HAS are holding a number of coffee mornings and events over the summer, for dates and venues please look here.Life with paddy blog
I am currently working for a software company called Correspondent.com. We are making a new piece of software called Winkball. This is video messaging software that lets you send video messages and have live chat sessions over the Internet. It is very safe to use because you can opt to receive messages only from people in your own contacts list. It's a great way to keep in touch with people. Hopefully Winkball will later be developing versions of the software specifically aimed at sign language users, school users and special educational needs users. If you'd like to try Winkball it is free to use, all you need is a broadband connection and a web cam. You can register at Winkball.
As part of my work I've had to create a blog and now my task is to get as many people as possible to look at, and if possible, add comments on the blog. My blog is called "Life With Paddy" and is about what it is like having an autistic child in the family. You can look at the blog by clicking on this link: Life With Paddy.
Please give it a go, many thanks, Rachel
Research into teenagers with aspergers
Anna van der Post and Rachel Hopkins, two parents of children with aspergers have written a book called "Children and Teenagers with Aspergers" and they are currently conducting some further research. If you have a child with aspergers and would like to take part please see their questionnaire at this website link.
CALLING ALL DADS
Ian Mallandain from the University of East Anglia has asked me to put the following information about a research project he is undertaking onto the website. If you would like more information you can telephone or email Ian or his supervisor Dr Langdon, contact details given below. You can also download an information sheet about the research by clicking here.
Research into autism at the University of East Anglia
We are looking to speak to fathers who have a child, between the age of 3-16, with an autistic spectrum disorder. Taking part will require a five minute interview about your son or daughter, which can be carried out either over the telephone, or in your home where practical. We will also ask you to complete some questionnaires which ask you questions about how things are for you and your child.
We are hoping that the findings of this study will contribute to a greater understanding of the father-child relationship, which could help inform future support and interventions.
If you are interested in taking part, please contact Ian Mallandain or Dr Peter Langdon on the following telephone number or email address.
Telephone: 01603 593599
email: p.langdon@uea.ac.uk
Autism Friendly Cinema Screenings
Picturehouse Cinemas are working in partnership with The National Autistic Society to hold special film screenings for people on the autistic spectrum and their families, friends and carers. During the film the lights are left on inside the auditorium and the volume of the soundtrack is reduced. It is fine for customers to move around, make a noise or take a break during the film if they need to. The next autism friendly screening is going to be Coraline on the 7th July. (Unfortunately this is a Tuesday and the film is during school hours so this may not be appropriate for our school age children. However I will try to keep you up to date with any further screens which may be at more suitable times.) For further details please click here.
Join the library
Did you know that disabled children can get a special library card, called an access card, which lets them take out for free up to two items every week for which there is normally a charge? This includes videos, DVDs, CDs and computer games. Ask in the library for further details.
Attention Alert Cards
Did you know that the Hampshire Autistic Society, in partnership with Hampshire Constabulary have launched the Autism Alert Card? These cards are available free of charge to anyone with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The cards should be carried at all times and can be displayed if the individual finds themselves in a situation where they cannot easily explain their behaviour. It will also assist the emergency services to identify that they are dealing with someone with autism. The card will carry the Hampshire Police Authority crests so they will be easily identifiable to the emergency services. The cards give some simple advice, the person's name and emergency contact details.
If you would like to apply for an Alert Card please go to http://www.has.org.uk/ and download an application form. For further information please contact the Hampshire Autistic Society on 02380 633951 or email info@has.org.uk
Direct Payments for Respite Care
Sylvia Hutchins from Carers Together came to FASS parents on 4th February to answer our questions about direct payments. These are payments made to carers so that they can pay directly for respite care. Maybe you qualify? If you have any questions about direct payments, you can contact Sylvia on 023 9259 5455 or see www.carerstogether.org.uk.
Oak meadow sensory room
Did you know that the Oak Meadow Centre now have a Sensory Room with music, mirrors, bubble tubes, fibre optics, mirror ball, aromatherapy and much much more? This wonderful room is available for everyone to use. You need a training session first, but once you have had training, you can book a 30 minute session whenever the centre is open including evening times. For more information, or to book training or a session please phone the Oak Meadow Centre on 01329 841097 or call into the centre.
QEII Centre
The Hampshire Autistic Society (HAS) has been fortunate enough to receive a grant in order to enable people with ASD and their families/carers the opportunity to use the facilities of the QEII Centre based in the Manor Farm Country Park in Hampshire. The QEII Activity Centre has been providing activity opportunities for people with special needs for 30 years. Activities include canoeing, climbing, archery, motorboat, orienteering, horse-riding, zip wire, crabbing and more...
We went to the QEII Centre for a weekend last year and we had a brilliant time doing canoeing, archery and wall climbing. It really is a fantastic place. The instructors are really patient and everybody can participate to their own ability level. The kids had a wonderful time.
For further information see www.qe2activitycentre.co.uk and contact Jackie Harvey on 02380 633951 or jackie.harvey@has.org.uk for details about the HAS funding. I have now heard that all of the HAS funded places have already been booked for 2009. You can still contact Jackie and ask to be put on the mailing list for next year so that you can book your place at the QE11 in good time.