Families with autistic children on the Isle of Wight are getting more help thanks to a new initiative.
The Isle of Wight Youth Trust have been commissioned to hold events for parents and carers of autistic children as part of the RAISE (Respecting Autistic Identity in Schools and Education) project.
‘Autism in Schools’ scheme
RAISE is part of a nationwide project ‘Autism in Schools’, funded by the NHS, that aims to reduce the numbers of exclusions, suspensions and hospital admissions of autistic children and young people.
Locally, the initiative is organised collectively with the Isle of Wight Youth Trust, the NHS, AIM (Autism Inclusion Matters), Parents Voice and the project name was chosen by young people who AIM work with.
No official diagnosis is required in order to get involved with the RAISE project.
Promoting positive autistic identity
The goal is to promote positive autistic identity, increase understanding of autism and the related reasonable adjustments that support autistic students’ mental health, and break down barriers to attendance at school.
Successful drop-in coffee morning
Coffee mornings were held in January and March and enabled parents and carers to connect, network, share experiences and meet professionals.
The morning proved to be very successful, and another one has been organised for Monday 13th May between 10am and 12pm at the Isle of Wight Youth Trust in Pyle Street. No booking is required for the coffee morning.
One parent said,
“It was very useful information and really helpful to meet other parents and share experiences.”
Parent information sessions
In addition to the coffee mornings, a series of parent information sessions are being held at the Isle of Wight Youth Trust to help parents and carers in supporting their autistic child diagnosed or on the assessment pathway.
The first of these have now taken place but there is still an opportunity to sign up to the next sessions which start on 24th May and run for four weeks.
Each session focuses on a different topic; Autism and Anxiety, Communication and Sensory Processing, Transitions, Routines, Bedtimes and Behaviours and Masking, Meltdowns/Shutdowns and Autistic Burnout.
Book your place
Parents/carers will need to attend all four sessions and these must be booked via Eventbrite.
You can find out more about the RAISE project by emailing [email protected]
News shared by Tash on behalf of Isle of Wight Youth Trust. Ed
