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Welcome to issue 8 of Network News from the Scottish Autism Service Network. Thanks to all those
who submitted information for this issue and remember if you have articles or information to submit we’d
be pleased to receive it (please contact Alison Leask at
).
We are looking for ideas for our focus topic for the next issue and so if there is a topic relating to autism
that you would like to know more about, please contact Alison with suggestions. Previous topics have
included bullying and biomedical approaches and the topic this issue is early years.
If you would like details regarding any of our Networking groups, please contact us at
or telephone 0141 950 3072. You can also gain lots of useful
information and details of events, training, research, news, and terminology on our website at
www.scottishautismnetwork.org.uk .
For more paper copies of Network News to be sent to you for service users or staff please phone 0141
950 3072. You can also access this and previous editions on our website at
www.scottishautismnetwork.org.uk/newsletter.
This will be the last edition of Network News whilst I am working with SASN and Alison Leask will be
capably taking on the role of Network News editor in the coming months. I would like to thank you all for
your readership and support of the Network during my time here - I have met so many interesting,
committed and knowledgeable people during the last two and a half years in this role and hope that I will
have contact with many of you in future in my new role.
Kind regards
Dawn Larman
Goodbye & Good Luck
Dawn Larman (centre), our Project Manager for
the Scottish Autism Services Network funded
project is leaving us for pastures new. The
Network Grant period came to an end on 31st
December 2007. When the original job came to
an end we were able to offer Dawn a new job as
Network Developer on contract until 31st March
2008, with the possibility of extending this as
our Funding Strategy for sustaining the Network
kicked in. Dawn has done a wonderful job in
developing all aspects of the original project and
establishing a sound infrastructure for the
future. She has worked beyond the brief and will
surely be glad to swap those long hours as she
moves into her job with the Richmond
Fellowship. We will all miss her energy,
commitment and skills – truly we would not
have had the Network as it is without her. Many thanks Dawn for your hard work, you will be a hard act
to follow! However Alison Leask (insert) and Helen Marwick (rear left) will be combining efforts to build
on Dawn’s work – Alison is joining us as a Network Consultant and Helen, who is a Co-Director of
NCAS will be playing an Acting Development Leader role.
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New research reveals adults with autism in Scotland are isolated and ignored
The National Autistic Society Scotland (NAS Scotland) has launched a
new report which reveals that over half of adults with autism in Scotland
(54%) do not have enough support to meet their needs. Based on the
largest ever survey in Scotland on the experiences of adults with autism
and their families, it reveals for the first time the daily reality for many
thousands of adults with autism who may feel isolated and ignored, are
unable to access the required support, and are often completely
dependent on their families.
The I Exist report, which was launched at the Scottish Parliament on 26th February 2008, is the
second phase in the think differently about autism campaign, which was launched by NAS Scotland in
October 2007. It is the first time a major campaign has focused on the needs of adults with autism
spectrum conditions.
Carol Evans NAS Scotland National Director said: “For too long adults with autism have found
themselves isolated and ignored; they struggle to access support and are often hugely dependent on
their families. It does not have to be like this – ‘I Exist’ is the message from adults with autism in
Scotland who want their needs understood and the barriers to support removed.”
Meanwhile, a photography exhibition showcased by NAS Scotland, that gives a unique insight into how
people with autism view the world, arrived in Glasgow in February for a three week run at the Tron
Theatre. The exhibition As I See It featured pictures of, and by, ten people with autism from around
the country who are all affected to differing degrees by autism spectrum conditions.
For more information visit http://www.think-differently.org.uk email
or call 0141 285 7108.
The photograph the launch of the I Exist campaign at the Scottish Parliament and features a group of
adults with autism and pictured in black is Joanna Daly, Policy and Parliamentary Officer with NAS
Scotland, and author of the I Exist report.
World Autism Awareness Day – April 2nd
On 18th December 2007 the United Nations General Assembly, by unanimous consent, passed the
resolution of the Third Committee designating April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day starting in
2008.
The aim is that the day will be marked around the world to raise awareness and understanding of autism.
The General Assembly committee who deal with social, cultural and humanitarian issues (also known as
the Third Committee) approved a draft resolution earlier in the year, introduced by Qatar and cosponsored
by 50 Member States and the decision to hold an annual World Autism Awareness Day has
now been upheld by all 192 members.
For more information visit the UN site at
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=24816&Cr=autism&Cr1
The Autism Speaks site has a full report at
http://www.autismspeaks.org/press/
qatar_un_world_autism_day.php
Count me in (a website giving details of Awareness Campaigns, Charity Events, Multi-Faith Celebrations,
and National Days) also has a report at:
http://www.countmeincalendar.info/show_campaign.php?calid=7&campaignid=2270&categoryid=&banne
r_area=3&camp_dates=02%20Apr%202008 .