Chair replicates riding motion to provide home therapy for autistic children
Autistic children could soon receive the benefits of equine therapy from the comfort of their own home thanks to a unique chair design by an Edinburgh Napier student. Fourth year Callum Hunter has designed ‘U Rock’ – a therapy chair that replicates the movement of a horse when walking – as part of his final year project at the University. Continue reading A horse in the home: Callum designs equine therapy chair
Thursday 6 April
WAADSTOCK 2017
Please see above the poster for WAADSTOCK 2017, a music event celebrating the talents of musicians and singers on the Autism Spectrum.
This year’s event is on THURSDAY 6TH APRIL at 7.30pm at THE CAV nightclub, WEST TOLLCROSS, EDINBURGH.
ENTRY IS FREE (ALL DONATIONS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN THE PERFORMERS) BUT THE EVENT IS STRICTLY OVER 18S ONLY.
The event has a facebook page ‘waadstock’ where people can confirm their attendance and view photos from last year’s event.
If you have any queries please contact. Michael Hannam, 07718423400
World Autism Awareness Week 27 March – 2 April
World Autism Awareness Week
Saturday 2 – Friday 8 April
NAS TMI Poster A3 Scotland PRINT
As many as two-thirds of people with autism feel socially isolated, according to a new report. Research by charity The National Autistic Society Scotland has found poor public understanding of the condition is making some feel socially isolated and trapped in their own homes. Continue reading Too much information? Autism Awareness Week
PASDA training for family carers of adults with autism
There are still some places left on this training – it has been run previously and there has been very positive feedback from the families who went through the training – but deadline for applications is THIS SUNDAY.
Applications have opened for Positive Pathways; positive behaviour training for family carers of adults with Autism (with or without a learning disability) who are living in Edinburgh and East Lothian.
This training will consist of 4 half-day training sessions held at Number 6 which will run every 2 weeks during an 8 week period. As well as the training sessions, carers will also receive 4 intensive 1:1 sessions. There will also be follow up sessions in October 2016.
A copy of the application form is attached – carers should complete this electronically and email to Pasda, but if this is an issue for carers Pasda will also accept handwritten applications.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 6 September and training starts the w/beginning Monday 5 October.
Anyone interested should contact PASDA directly: telephone 0131 475 2416 or email info@pasda.org.uk.
Visit www.pasda.org.uk to complete an application form.
Social media users can shine their support for World Autism Awareness Day by turning one of Edinburgh’s most iconic monuments BLUE!
Melville Monument in St Andrew Square will change to the condition’s symbolic colour if people tweet #blue to the City of Edinburgh Council’s Twitter account @Edinburgh_CC to mark the awareness day tonight (Thursday 2 April).
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time will be the topic of a special Giant Book Group, while a Dance Back to the Future club night and a free concert are also among the events taking place this week to mark the international day in the capital.
Autism affects around 5,000 people in Edinburgh and is a lifelong developmental disorder which can affect people with or without a learning disability – sometimes known as Aspergers Syndrome. It affects both children and adults, and can have a profound effect on the way a person understands and interacts with the world around them.
The Council runs a number of services and offers support to those with the condition and their families through its Autism Edinburgh campaign and its autism plan. Support includes trained autism champions; Aspire, which helps young people move on from school and college into further education or work; family support through Positive Pathways, and a specialised online training programme.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon will be discussed at the Giant Book Group in the Central Library from 6.30pm tonight, in advance of the stage adaptation at the Festival Theatre later this month. A panel consisting of Health, Social Care and Housing Convener, Councillor Ricky Henderson, Cerin Richardson from Edinburgh Theatres, Matthew Day from Autism Initiatives and parent Amanda Wilson will launch the event, at which members of the public will form groups to talk about the book.
Clubbers will celebrate the day at Dance Back to the Future at Electric Circus from 10pm.
Cllr Henderson said: “World Autism Awareness Day is a fantastic opportunity to consider how some of us struggle every day through no fault of our own, and reminds us to show compassion and understanding.
“The Council is committed to supporting those in need to reach their full potential and to lead happy and independent lives.”
You can find out more information about World Autism Awareness Day on the Autism Speaks website.
EVENTS IN EDINBURGH
Information and activities for people with autism and their supporters
World Autism Awareness Day is 2nd April 2015. One in a hundred people in the city have autism. A range of events are being planned across the city:
Giant Book Group Event: The Curious Incident Of The Dog in The Night-Time
Thursday 2 April, 6.30pm-8pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.
To enjoy the event fully you are advised to read ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ beforehand so that you can participate in small group conversations prior to the panel discussion.
To book a place: www.edinburghreads.eventbrite.co.uk
For further information: libraries@edinburgh.gov.uk
Dance Back to the Future
Thursday 2 April: Electric Circus, Edinburgh, 10pm – 3am. Tickets £5
Scottish Autism are celebrating World Autism Awareness Day by dancing back to the future in this club night which will take audiences through the decades of dance from the hits of the 60s to the present day.
For further details: www.scottishautism.org/get-involved/autism-awareness-month/whats-on-in-april
PASDA at Ocean Terminal
Thursday 2 April and Friday 3 April, Ocean Terminal, 10am -5pm.
Pasda support families of adults with autism. PASDA are supporting World Autism Awareness Day by holding an information stall over two days at Ocean Terminal. Come along to find out more about Pasda, autism awareness and information about other autism services in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
For further details visit www.pasda.org.uk
Edinburgh Autism Champions
Various dates and locations across the city from 30 March – 2 April.
Edinburgh Autism Champions are celebrating World Autism Awareness Day by hosting a number of information stalls at a variety of locations across Edinburgh. Come along to find out more about autism and a range of autism specific services in Edinburgh:
Gilmerton Library, 30 March 2pm – 4pm
Moredun Library, 31 March 2pm – 4pm
Morningside Library, 1 April 2pm – 4pm
South Neighbourhood Office, 2 April 10am – 12 noon
Edinburgh University Library, 2 April 10am – 4pm
Drumbrae Hub, 2 April 10am – 2.30 pm
ASDA, Slateford 2 April 10am – 1 pm.
A is for AUTISM
April is World Autism Awareness Month and we want to get as many people talking about autism as possible which is why we are asking you to support ‘A is for Autism’.
The idea is simply to make a letter A shape, whether it’s a cake baked in the shape of an A or an A created out of your favourite things, we need you to get creative and share your A! Once you’ve completed your masterpiece text AUTT15 £2 to 70070 to make a donation and then nominate a friend to get creative. Remember to share your A pictures with us by sharing it on our Facebook page or tag us in your photo so that we know. Alternatively you can email it to
fundraising@scottishautism.org
and we will add them to our Facebook Album – the one with the most likes will win a prize!
By sharing your A picture with us you are helping to raise awareness of autism, and hopefully encourage people to take some time to really understand the condition. As an organisation we strive to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism, to enable them to lead full and enriched lives in their community. Part of this involves promoting greater public understanding. Just remember, the A you make carries an important message so get creative and join in today!
For further information visit www.scottishautism.org
Progress is being made in improving Scottish autism services, according to Public Health Minister Michael Mathieson. Today is World Autism Day, and Mr Matheson said said ‘great strides’ had been made in improving access to autism services.
Mr Matheson highlighted in particular the establishment of six new one-stop shops since the Scottish Strategy for Autism’s launch in November 2011, where people with autism and their families can get support and information. These centres, in Dunfermline, Inverness, Motherwell, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Perth, are added to those already in operation in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Services are provided by Scottish Autism, National Autistic Society Scotland and Autism Initiatives.
The new centres are funded as part of the Strategy which sets out 26 recommendations for improving the quality of life for people with autism and their carers.
Mr Matheson said: “The new one-stop shops really demonstrates what we are trying to achieve in our Autism Strategy. They bring local services closer to those who need them most, helping people to get support and build up networks. We are now into year three of a ten year plan. Some great strides have already been made, but we’re under no illusion that there’s more work to be done before we get to where we want to be.”
Many initiatives have been funded under the Strategy since November 2011, and some of the key ones include:
Mr Matheson added: “Our vision when setting out our strategy was that people with autism should be respected, accepted and valued in their communities, and that they should have services that enable them to have meaningful lives. There is no room for complacency, but I think we are well on the way to achieving that goal.”
World Autism Awareness Day has been a designated United Nations day since 2007 and is celebrated every year on 2 April.
The Scottish Government has been working with Autism Network Scotland to pull together a schedule of various activities and special events happening locally across Scotland to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. Event information will be posted on the Network’s website and a link to this provided on the Strategy website at
www.autismstrategyscotland.org.uk.
There’s lots going on in Edinburgh to mark World Autism Day – see our 23 March post (City set to mark Autism Awareness Day) for details.
More than one in a hundred Edinburgh families are affected by autism, and a range of events are being held across the city next Wednesday (2 April) to mark World Autism Awareness Day.
The Awareness Day follows the launch last week of Autism Edinburgh, a campaign to raise awareness about the symptoms of autism and how best to support individuals and families.
Among the events planned to raise awareness and understanding of autism are:
‘Surroundings’ art exhibition
Exhibition of work by trainees at the Gallery on the Corner.
2-30 April 2014, 34 Northumberland Street, EH3 6LS
Contact: 0131 557 8969, www.thegalleryonthecorner.org.uk
Scott v Zombies discussion with Alan Grant author and Scott Davidson
With dvd and auction of art work by Robin Smith. Preview artworks at www.art.linkedinburgh.bigcartel.com
2 April 2014, 6-7 pm, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place. Book in advance by phoning 0131 229 3555 or info@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk
Open information event
With complimentary therapy for carers, cake sales and cake decorating, craft workshop, quiz run by PASDA and Lothian Autistic Society.
2 April 2014, 4-7 pm, Conference Centre, Norton Park, 47 Albion Road. Contact: 0131 475 2416 or info@pasda.org.uk
Sponsored walk raising money for Autism Initiatives Scotland
2 April 2014, 7-9 pm
Contact for information – 0131 551 7260 or hos@aiscotland.org.uk
Upward Mobility celebrates World Autism Awareness Day
film/art work/live music and nibbles – open event
3 April 2014, 2-4 pm, Floor B1, St Margarets House, 151 London Road.
‘Swing into Spring’: Season opening of Hermitage Golf Course
Open to all. Crazy golf, disk golf display, “build your own birdfeeder” and more.
6 April 2014, 10am-4 pm, 11 Braid Hills Drive EH10 6GZ
Contact: 0131 5517260 or hos@aiscotland.org.uk
Autism Life in Colour exhibition
10 March – 2 April, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place.Contact: 0131 529 5665 or stockbridge.library@edinburgh.gov.uk
3 April-17 April, Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road EH16 4DS
Contact: 0131 529 5597 or craigmillar.library@edinburgh.gov.uk
Find out more:
You can find out more about any or all of these events at a World Autism Awareness Day Information Point. They will be open from 10-3 pm on Wednesday 2 April at:
Edinburgh University – outside the main library, 30 George Square, EH8 9LJ
North Edinburgh council Office – 8 West Pilton Gardens, EH4 4DP
South Neighbourhood Centre – 40 Captains’ Road, EH17 8QF
Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, 30 Harvesters Way, Edinburgh EH14 3JF
Norton Park, 47 Albion Road EH7 5QY.
Coffee Cups
Watch out for coffee cups in cafes with messages about autism
Contact 0131 661 3834 or office@lothianautistic.org to find out more
A campaign to raise awareness about the symptoms of autism and how best to support individuals and families was launched in Edinburgh last week. Autism Edinburgh has been set up by the City of Edinburgh Council and partner organisations in a bid to support people in the capital who have the disorder.
The city council has also launched it’s autism plan, which highlights the importance of getting the right service at the right time for people with autism, and their carers. Anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of autism can take part in the specialised online training programme.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder which can affect people with or without a learning disability– sometimes known as Aspergers Syndrome. It affects both children and adults, and can have a profound effect on the way a person understands and interacts with the world around them.
Councillor Ricky Henderson, Health and Social Care Convener, (pictured above) said: “Autism affects people differently, some people are able to live successful and independent lives whilst others will need very specialist support.
“A wide range of services are already available in Edinburgh and the way in which we will keep delivering these in the future is described in the autism plan. The Autism Edinburgh campaign is a great example of working in partnership with other organisations, which will let us offer the very best in care and support.”
Autism Edinburgh is being delivered in partnership with Autism Initiatives, Upward Mobility, Parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder Adults (PASDA), Lothian Autistic Society, Edinburgh University, NHS Lothian, Intowork, Edinburgh and the Lothian’s Aspergers Society and the Action Group.
Visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/autism for further information, or contact the Autism Advice Line on 01259 720 044.
