Group set up to support youngsters with autism
A GROUP supporting autistic children and their families has been launched in the Cynon Valley.
ASD Rainbows was started earlier this month, with the organisation also giving parents a chance to get together and speak to others and professionals.
It’s based at Miskin Christian Centre, and operates by using early intervention strategies to ensure Cynon Valley children with ASD get the best start in life.
Cynon Valley AM Vikki Howells visited the centre for its launch event on March 14, and she said: “I was delighted to be able to visit ASD Rainbows, and meet the parents, children and professionals who are involved in this excellent initiative. I was impressed by the dedication of the staff and the wide variety of things available for children to do.
“Parents who I spoke to told me that they find the support provided from staff and other parents at ASD Rainbows to be invaluable.
“It helps enormously to be able to talk to other people who understand the difficulties of caring for a child on the autistic spectrum, makes them feel as if they are not alone, and without this support they would struggle.”
The charity will be supported by staff who have more than 40 years of experience between them, and is overseen by two highly qualified consultants in an early autism intervention strategy called Applied Behaviour Analysis.
Ms Howells added: “The Welsh Government will be launching its £6m National Integrated Autism Service in April, and addressing and identifying gaps in information will be crucial to this.
“Groups like ASD Rainbows have a key role to play in not only ensuring parents get the factual information they need, but also in making sure they can get the emotional support that can be so vital.”
Sessions will run at the centre at 9.30am and 12.30pm Monday to Friday for under fives and 3.30pm until 5.30pm Tuesday and Thursdays for over fives.