Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MORE THAN WORDS SCHEME IN
WHEN Joanne Mccracken watches her son Tiernan play with a friend it’s a special moment she treasures because she thought it might never happen.
Seven-year-old Tiernan is autistic and like many other children with the same condition he can find it difficult to make friends.
Joanne said: “Children with autism find it hard to socialise. Teachers often don’t have the time to help them socialise.
“I found my wee boy wasn’t invited to parties or anything.”
Joanne not only witnessed the isolation her son suffered but she also experienced it herself.
After her son’s diagnosis more than a year ago the Armagh woman didn’t know where to turn for support.
She added: “When we had the diagnosis I felt I wanted to meet some parents that are going through the same thing.”
Joanne reached out via Facebook and in response to her post around 16 families with autistic children attended what turned out to be the first meeting of the More Than Words Autism Support Group. She said: “I was shocked at the amount of people that were there. I didn’t realise the amount of people in Armagh who had children with autism.
“I came away from the meeting no longer feeling isolated or alone.
“I’ve had to take my wee boy out of parent toddler groups because he can’t cope. I had to take him out of a singing group as well.
“It doesn’t feel as stressful because there are other people out there that
understand what you are going through and they cope.
“The support group gives parents an outlet.
“It’s an evening out to talk about things that you probably wouldn’t talk about with your other friends.
“We always come away laughing and giggling at some of the things that happen because you wouldn’t believe half the things that happen with autism. You get it all off your chest and get ready for the next day.”
The support group has now grown to not only provide a fantastic outlet for parents of autistic children but also opportunities for the youngsters to socialise in an environment they feel comfortable and safe in.
Joanne added: “Since we started this and bringing these children together they have made their own friends within this group.
“It’s so relaxed they are learning within a safe environment how to socialise.
“They have friends now and they’ll all grow up together.
“For a child with autism to make friends, it’s just the best thing in the world. That’s very special. Tiernan has lifelong friends from this.
“It’s great for him and it’s so special for mums because they [the children with autism] don’t get invited to anything.
“It breaks my heart to see Tiernan wanting to join in but not being able to. Whereas with our group he’s so happy and can be himself.”
The empathy and solidarity shared between the children has also transferred to the parents who have formed lifelong friendships through the support group. Joanne said: “I have to