AUTISM AWARENESS
How does autism affect children, adults and their families?
The term 'autism' is used here to describe all diagnostic profiles, including Asperger syndrome and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
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Without understanding, autistic people and families are at risk of being isolated and developing mental health problems.
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Autism is much more common than many people think. There are around 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK – that's more than 1 in 1001. If you include their families, autism is a part of daily life for 2.8 million people.
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Autism doesn't just affect children. Autistic children grow up to be autistic adults.
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Autism is a hidden disability – you can't always tell if someone is autistic.
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While autism is incurable, the right support at the right time can make an enormous difference to people's lives.
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34% of children on the autism spectrum say that the worst thing about being at school is being picked on.
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63% of children on the autism spectrum are not in the kind of school their parents believe would best support them.
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17% of autistic children have been suspended from school; 48% of these had been suspended three or more times; 4% had been expelled from one or more schools.
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Seventy per cent of autistic adults say that they are not getting the help they need from social services. Seventy per cent of autistic adults also say that with more support they would feel less isolated.
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At least one in three autistic adults are experiencing severe mental health difficulties due to a lack of support.
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Only 16% of autistic adults in the UK are in full-time paid employment, and only 32% are in some kind of paid work.
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Only 10% of autistic adults receive employment support but 53% say they want it.
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(Text taken from the The National Autistic Society website. For more info click )
HOW THE AUTISM AWARENESS MEETINGS WERE DEVELOPED
As the facts show, sadly Autism effects far too many people in our world today; whether it be a sufferer, or a family member of a sufferer, making life extremely stressful for all involved. Here at Brentwood RC Raceway, we are always ready to lend a helping hand, and in the past have helped raise money for many worthy causes, including Cancer UK, British Heart Foundation and Epilepsy Society.
Samantha and Jamie Townsend have been regular racers here at the track since the beginning of 2017, and know only too well the effect Autism has, having an Autistic son, Peter.
Sam explains "We first noticed something was wrong when Peter started school at the age of five, and the teachers pointed some things out to us. It took two years of arguing with doctors that it was more than just ADHD or 'something he would grow out of.' "
Sam then got involved in fundraising for AUTISM AWARENESS after attending a National Autistic Society meeting in Thurrock and realizing how little there was in terms of support due to lack of funding for children and adults alike. She's found that being very vocal about it is helping to bring understanding and acceptance to more and more people, as she's found Autism is often a taboo subject. She continues.....
"Even family didn't understand it or couldn't accept that Peter was a neurotypical Child. I even had people in the street call my boy 'weird' or 'rude' and on more than one occasion had strangers tell me 'he shouldn't be out in public!' And that is why we make lots of noise, to counteract the ignorance of Autism."
During Autism Awareness week 2017, Sam had approached Midge and asked if she could do some fundraising for the cause. Of course, Simon said "YES", and with sponsorship and selling of Autism Awareness wrist bands, a total of £418 was collected! Amazing!
