Autism family support

Branch officer Sarah Fletton commented: "The sun was shining and we had quite a lot of people so it was really nice. The support group has been running since the beginning of the year but this was really a social occasion for people to come and get information about autism."

There are regular family support group sessions in Bexhill held on every first and third Wednesday in the month from 10-11.30am at Beulah Baptist church in Buckhurst Road, during termtime only.

It's an opportunity for parents and carers to meet each other and share their thoughts on what can be an isolating experience.

Sarah, whose son Joel is five years old, said: "When I found out he had autism I didn't know anything about it and none of my family or friends knew anything. I didn't have anything in common with the other mothers I knew because my child was doing something completely different... and I thought it would be great to just meet other families going through the same experience.

"I felt very different...A lot of people say you go through the grieving process when your child is diagnosed. He had been a normal toddler and had good eye contact, he would say a few words and eat his dinner. Suddenly I had a toddler who wouldn't look at anyone and didn't eat and didn't speak. Suddenly I had all these problems when everyone else was going forwards and my child was going backwards.

"Autism is a spectrum disorder and Joel is probably at the bottom of the spectrum. Autism affects communication and social skills so with Joel that means he didn't know how to communicate. That doesn't just mean he didn't know how to talk, it means he didn't understand what I was saying '“ communication is a two way thing...he doesn't understand what is being said to him and doesn't know how to express how he is feeling. It is very frustrating...and with children who are really frustrated and can't tell you how they are feeling, all they can do is shout because that is all they are able to do.

"It would just be nice to raise awareness, for people in society to know there are children like that and be a little bit more accepting when the child is having a big tantrum. Joel looks like a normal boy...he is beautiful. You don't realise that he has got any difficulty."

Like other parents, Sarah has found her options limited as to where she and Joel can go and hopes the support group will help others in the same situation.

"You can bring your children and they can behave how they need to behave, and you don't have to worry about being criticised."

For further details call her on 01424 848892 or email [email protected].