Autism Cymru: Come and have your say on the future of services for people with autism in Wales

The two leading autism charities in Wales are coming together to host a series of events across the country to enable everyone from the autism community to have a say on the Welsh Assembly Government’s Autistic Spectrum Disorder Action Plan for Wales.

Autism Cymru and the National Autistic Society Cymru are planning three events, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, to allow the views of people with autism, their parents, carers and practitioners to be heard and included in the discussion about the Action Plan.

The Action Plan was launched at the end of January and aims to outline how the needs of people with autism and their families should be met across Wales. The consultation period lasts until the end of May and it is vital that as many people as possible get involved.

The meetings will take place at the following locations:
QED Centre, Pontypridd Friday 16 March 2007 from 12.30pm to 4.30pm
Elan Valley Hotel, Rhayader Monday 19 March 2007 from 12.30pm to 4.30pm
Optik Technium, St Asaph Tuesday 27 March from 12.30pm to 4.30pm

Each event lasts half a day and will include workshops to discuss key sections of the Action Plan. Assembly Government representatives will also attend. Following the events, delegates’ comments will be fed back to the Assembly Government as part of the formal consultation process.

Joe Powell, an adult with Asperger syndrome who is supported by the NAS Cymru Newport Service, said:
"No one affected by autism in Wales should miss out on this important opportunity to let the Welsh Assembly know what they need. As a person with Asperger syndrome, I struggle to have my views and requirements heard. These events provide us with a venue to go along and comment on the Action Plan and how it meets our needs."

Chris Peach, National Director, NAS Cymru, said:
"The autism community has been waiting a long time for this document and it is important that the Welsh Assembly get it right. Autism affects around one in a hundred people in Wales. It is important that as many people as possible have an input into this document that could have such an impact on their lives."

Maggie Bowen, Deputy Chief Executive of Autism Cymru, said: “As Wales leads the way in developing a Strategic Action Plan for ASDs, it is crucial that as many people living and working with ASDs are involved in the consultation process as possible. We must ensure that there is high quality service provision for individuals with ASDs and their families wherever they might live in Wales.”

To book a place, people need to contact Autism Cymru, Conference Office, 64 Newport Road, Cardiff CF24 0DF, or Fax back on 02920 463263 or email back to jennie@autismcymru.org.

For more information on the ASD Strategic Action Plan for Wales visit www.awares.org/autismplanforwales or www.autism.org.uk/autismstrategy. Alternatively please contact campaignwales@nas.org.uk or telephone 02920 629 314.



Autism Cymru

? For information on autism or for interviews please contact Laura Morgan on 029 20464940 or email laura@autismcymru.org
? Autism Cymru is Wales’ National Charity for Autism with offices in Aberystwyth, Cardiff and Wrexham.
? For information on autism in Wales go to www.awares.org


Notes to editors:
? NAS Cymru is a leading provider of information, advice, services and support for people with autism, their families and carers in Wales. It provides a range of services including The NAS Autism Helpline, Parent to Parent support line, Advocacy for Education Service, Befriending, help! programme for parents, the Sbectrwm Club for children, based in Bangor and Monmouthshire and adult social groups. In addition NAS Cymru organises parent seminars and supports five NAS parent branches across Wales. NAS Cymru provides support for adults with autism via services based in Neath and Newport. For more information about autism and for help in your area, call the NAS Autism Helpline: 0845 070 4004 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday, (local rates apply).

? Autism (including Asperger syndrome) is a lifelong developmental disability. It is a spectrum condition occurring in varying degrees of severity. Around 588,000 people have autism in the UK today and over 2 million people are affected by the disability. It is characterised by a triad of impairments: difficulties forming social relationships, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication and the development of strong narrow obsessional interests.