Charity Details
National Autistic Society (Scotland) - Charity No. SCO39427 www.nas.org.uk
Why we are supporting NAS?
The NAS is the UK's leading charity for people affected by Autism. Founded in 1962 by a group of parents who were passionate for ensuring a better future for their children, today they have over 18,000 members, 80 branches and aim to provide information, advice, assistance, training and support for individuals and their families. This is from the time of diagnosis right through the rest of their lives, through community support networks, autism specific schooling and Respite and Assessment Centres. The NAS aim to ensure that the areas of learning, well-being, independence and equality are achieved and/or accessible for all who are affected by autism.
We are supporting this Charity because of the tremendous support they have given to us and other
children, adults and families that have Autism in their lives, and to raise
awareness of Autism and the work of the charity.
Our 16 year old son Lewis has severe autism and was diagnosed when he was 3yrs old.. He has no
verbal communication, displays behavioural difficulties and self injurious
behaviour because he finds it difficult to relate to and communicate with the
people and the world around him. After being excluded from or rejected by
several schools and the education system, he was fortunate to gain a place at
the NAS’s Daldorch House School and has made tremendous progress in
coping with the world around him. He can now communicate using an electronic
device called a Dynavox. He has gained several ASDAN certificates, and has
learned many social skills that have helped him to cope with things like
shopping and housekeeping and recreation, that many of us take for
granted.
Without the support of the NAS and the confidence of knowing that when he is not with us Lewis is in
safe hands and enjoying the learning experience, we would not have been able to
support our daughter Irene in her love of Highland Dance and she would not have
been able to enjoy the friendships she has made through dancing and take a break
from helping us care for her brother.
Irene regularly supports the NAS by raising money through her dancing at fundraising events and functions. Pictured below is Irene at a recent Burns night fundraiser
When Donna came up with the idea of having an Annual Charity Competition, We thought that supporting The
National Autistic Society would help us to say thank you for the support they
have given us and provide a financial contribution to help them to continue to
support the many families affected by Autism
What is Autism?
- Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them.
- People with autism have difficulties with everyday social interaction.
- Autism is a complex developmental disability involving a biological or organic defect in the functioning of the brain
- Half a million people in the UK suffer from some form of Autism
- Boys are four times more likely to develop autism than girls
- 25% of children diagnosed with Autism have been excluded from school at least once
- Unfortunately, despite the high numbers in the population touched by autism, it is still relatively unknown and misunderstood. This means that a high proportion of people are undiagnosed and are not receiving the appropriate treatment and support they require.
- Creating awareness of autism can prove difficult as sufferers of autism do not "look" disabled - children are often labelled 'naughty' whilst adults are labelled 'misunderstood
- people with Autism have a normal life expectancy
- The NAS provide befrienders and volunteers to help people with Autism cope with life’s challenges
- There is currently no cure for Autism,