Autism Inclusion Matters (AIM) is an Isle of Wight-based organisation created and run by Autistic people, and part of the People Matter IW charity.
AIM provides numerous support and services for the Island’s Autistic community and are working hard to create the Island’s first and much-needed community space for Autistic residents of all ages.
Esau: We now need the Island community’s help
Jude Esau, Peer Support Worker from AIM explains,
“We have just received the keys to a new, easily accessible Newport location.
“It needs some work to create a safe, stable environment that all Autistic Islanders can access, but we hope to have the works completed by the end of August.
“The Island’s reputation for strong community values and support by residents for residents is a key strength. We now need the Island community’s help.”
Show your support
AIM are hoping to raise £2,500 towards the works needed and have set up a Go Fund Me Appeal.
If you are able to support the fundraiser, pop over to the Go Fund Me page to add your donation or alternatively buy and Ikea Gift Card.
What AIM do
AIM is organised, run and supported by Autistic adults. They work with and for Autistic people on the Isle of Wight.
They hold groups and activities for Autistic adults and young people and run a sensory library. Aim is also involved with various organisations to ensure lived Autistic experience is used to improve services.
Anyone who is Autistic, going through diagnosis or thinking about getting a diagnosis can become a member. They don’t exclude anyone from using their support and understand getting a diagnosis can be complex so they welcome self-diagnosis in all of their groups and activities.
AIM’s values
The values of AIM are:
- We promote Positive Autistic Identity
- We use Identity First Language
- We recognise the challenges of accessing a diagnosis and accept self-identification where possible
- We recognise and educate on intersectionality
- We do not support ABA or Positive Behavioural Support as methods to help Autistic people
- We do not use functioning labels, every Autistic person has inherent strengths and challenges
- We support the Neurodiversity Paradigm
- We value peoples’ opinions, views, choices, differences and experiences
- We recognise the impact of trauma
- We remove the barriers of referrals and offer multiple contact options
- We use reflection to improve ourselves as an organisation
- We value ourselves and our experiences
The Aims
The aims of AIM are:
- To bring the Autistic community together, reducing isolation and creating connections and friendships
- To provide a safe space where people are free to be themselves away from daily stress
- To encourage peer support, using our skills to help other people to understand themselves
- To support people to understand and accept their diagnosis and feel more positive about what it means
- To develop the skills and knowledge of our members in areas that will improve confidence, self-esteem, and independence
- To provide meaningful voluntary opportunities to members, recognising peoples’ skills and using these to help the group
- To work together to make sure that the rights of Autistic people are upheld, and that the views and ideas of the Autistic community are listened to
- To raise the profile of Autism, improve understanding, promote positive attitudes, and strive for acceptance
- To provide information and guidance about positive and respectful resources that are available, and work to increase the number of resources available
AIM’s commitments
Their commitments are:
- By providing groups, activities and services that as many people as possible like and enjoy, at costs that people can afford and do not prevent people from attending
- By ensuring that everything we do is led by Autistic people, making sure that the views of Autistic people themselves are heard and are not influenced by those supporting them
- By ensuring that we focus our support and work on those that are most likely to not receive help and support from other people, groups or services
- By being clear that we are a group for Autistic people, and that is where our priorities lie
- By respecting each other, respecting difference, and respecting personal preference and choice
- By remembering that we are experts of our own experiences and can share this knowledge with other people
- By challenging poor or harmful practice and the negative and stereotyped portrayals of Autistic people
- By making sure that we respect and promote people’s right to privacy, and right to feel safe and be safe
- By providing opportunities for people to express their views and be heard by those with the power to make change happen
Making sure every Autistic person has a voice
AIM works hard to campaign for better support and recognition for Autistic people, so they set up the Autism Partnership Board, which they organise and chair.
The Partnership Board is organised and chaired by Autistic people, for Autistic people. It is a place where those that are working hard to improve the lives of Autistic people, whether they are adults or children, will meet to discuss issues, problem-solve, make action plans and work together to make things better. It will make sure that every Autistic person has a voice.
AIM have representatives from health, education, social care, parents, volunteers, young people, and organisations such as Parents Voice to ensure that the board can be aware of as many people’s views as possible.
It is not an open meeting. This is because they need the meeting to be comfortable and organised. Any individual or professional body can send items to be discussed via the AIM Facebook page, email, or through one of the members.
AIM’s Sensory Library
AIM understand that some sensory equipment that people consider buying can be very expensive and so they want people to have the opportunity to try before the buy.
The Sensory Library have weighted blankets and clothing, books, fidget and sensory toys and much more. They have various sizes and weights of the equipment listed so can will advise as to the most suitable when booking items out.
Sensory equipment and resources can be borrowed for up to two weeks. Books can be borrowed for longer. Although they’re not able to sell products, they can give information about where to purchase them.
AIM can also give information about other services.
Show your support and find out more
If you are able to support the fundraiser, pop over to the Go Fund Me page to add your donation or alternatively buy and Ikea Gift Card.
If you want to find out more about AIM, visit the Website or Facebook Page.
News shared by Jude on behalf of AIM Isle of Wight. Ed
Image: Jesper Sehested under CC BY 2.0
