Dadtalk

Autism Support

Autism touches the lives of over 2 million people every day, but is still relatively unknown and misunderstood. The NAS is the UK's leading charity offering information and support

There are over half a million people in the UK with autism, and if you include their families, autism touches the lives of over two million people every day. Despite this, autism is still relatively unknown and misunderstood. Autism is a lifelong and disabling condition, however the right support at the right time, can make an enormous difference to people’s lives.

Having a child with autism can affect all members of the family and while attention can often be focused on mums the NAS actively encourages dads to get involved and to seek help and support, whenever it’s needed.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) is the UK's leading charity for people with autism and their families. The charity’s website (www.autism.org.uk) has lots of information for parents wanting to know more about the condition or advice on where and how to seek further help.

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.

It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may need a lifetime of specialist support.

People with autism may also experience over or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.

Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties processing language.

The National Autistic Society works to ensure that people affected by autism do not feel isolated or alone and campaigns for a world where autism is understood and people with autism have the support they need and the same opportunities as others in society.

The charity currently offers:

• Information, advice , advocacy, training and support for individuals and families
• Information and training for health, education and other professionals working with people with autism and their families
• Specialist residential, supported living, outreach and day services for adults
• Specialist schools and educational outreach services for children
• Out-of-school services for children and young people
• Employment training and support as well as social programmes for adults with autism

The charity’s website offers lots of useful information and there is also an area where parents and people with autism can share their stories and experiences: Living with autism: Real life stories

In certain areas, support groups have also been specifically set up for fathers. One particularly successful example is The Fathers’ Club started by John Franklin in Kent. The club meets three times a month at different venues across the county and there are now about 120 members. As John explains “there can be nothing better than chatting things over with other father’s who have ‘been there, seen it, done it.’”

If you are looking for further information, advice or support you can call the Autism Helpline on 0845 070 4004. The helpline is open between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. (Calls are charged at a local rate.)

Many dads contact the NAS, asking for advice on what more they can do to raise awareness of autism. One way which many choose is by getting involved with one of the charity’s many fundraising events.

As one dad explained after taking part in a charity bike ride: "I wanted to repay the NAS for helping my family. It was a great way to meet other dads of children who have autism - I really enjoyed talking about the kids!”

And more recently, singer, actor and celebrity dad, Keith Duffy, whose daughter Mia was diagnosed with autism at 18 months old, took part in the London Marathon for the NAS and has so far raised over £15,000. When asked to explain why he was getting involved, Keith explained:

“Three and a half years after she was first diagnosed Mia came into the room and sang ‘Tomorrow’ from Annie to myself and my wife. It was the first time we had ever heard her voice and I will never forget that day as long as I shall live. She continues to bring us joy each and every day but I still worry about what the future holds as there is a long way to go before all people with autism will be able to live to their true potential in society and not face prejudice and a lack of services and support. That’s why I am running the Flora London Marathon to raise money and awareness.”

If you would like to get involved or find out more please call 08450 509 001, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or complete the online enquiry form.

Since 2007, The National Autistic Society has been working with the Bankers Benevolent Fund (BBF), a charity for bank employees and their dependents, to develop and run a programme called Investing in Brighter Futures.

Now in its second year, Investing in Brighter Futures is a support programme for people and families from the banking community whose lives are touched by autism.

If you or your child has autism and you work, or have worked, in the UK banking sector then you can apply for a package of services and support, funded by the Bankers Benevolent Fund, that is specifically designed to meet your individual needs. In addition, every applicant will receive life membership of the NAS.

For more information, or to see whether you could be eligible for support through the programme, please visit www.autism.org.uk/bbf or call 020 7903 3587.

Watch the film about the Investing in Brighter Futures programme in the DadTalk Video Lounge. The film features Andrew Harris, a dad with a daughter who has autism, speaking about how the Investing in Brighter Futures programme helped his family.