Letters special and message from today’s guest editor
As chief executive of the North East Autism Society, I am extremely proud of the charity, the vital services it provides across the region and the dedicated staff it employs.
I am also acutely aware of our historic links with the Sunderland Echo, which was so supportive 41 years ago when a group of pioneering parents in the city laid the foundations of a charity that would support autistic children and adults.
It is, therefore, a great pleasure to be working in partnership with the Sunderland Echo on this very special edition, marking the start of World Autism Acceptance Week.
We are very proud to be
breaking new ground with an autistic guest editor in Ashley Jones, who has great personal insight and a tremendous passion for spreading the word about the importance of autism acceptance. Well done to Ashley for showing such leadership.
And what better way to showcase the work of the North East Autism Society than by asking the incredible people who access our services, and those who work alongside them, to take pictures, illustrating life within the charity, and bringing them together in this supplement?
Congratulations to everyone who has made this initiative happen. Our hope is that it helps raise awareness of the work we do and encourages more people to consider a rewarding career with a caring organisation that is expanding all the time to meet increasing demand.
With your help, we can continue to progress along the road to acceptance.
Thank you,