Flagging up the help for people with autism
The coordinator of a service which provides support for people with autism in South Lanarkshire has described how a global awareness week is taking on special resonance locally.
Organisations from across the globe are currently marking World Autism Awareness Week.
A flag, bearing the autistic pride rainbow symbol, has been hoisted at South Lanarkshire Council’s HQ to mark local support.
Ramon Hutchingson, of South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s Autism Resources Coordination Hub (ARCH), works tirelessly to change attitudes regarding autism.
He said: “Being autistic does not mean you have an illness.
“It means your brain works in a different way from other people. We are committed to shifting attitudes towards acceptance and the realisation that autism is a difference rather than a disability.
“We’ve actually coined a new acronym for this awareness week TEAM – Teach Everyone Autism Matters.
The purpose of the awareness week is to recognise the diversity of autistic people and the infinite possibilities and variations within the autistic community.
Since its inception in 2016, ARCH has been focussed on facilitating the development of autism services in South Lanarkshire communities – many of which are delivered by communities themselves – alongside partners in the statutory, private and third sectors.
During lockdown, and in the absence of face-to-face meetings and contacts, various support networks, including regular parent carer support groups, have continued to be held digitally.
Well-established community support on social media – instigated by ARCH – has also proved valuable to parents supporting autistic children during lockdown.
Ramon added: “We’ve always been driven by listening and being informed by genuine engagement.
“From that grassroots, bottomup feedback we’ve helped consolidate natural links between people with shared experiences of autism, providing support when needed.
“I know from general feedback these networks and this community has not only been a lifeline for many, but it’s also blossomed in tough times. World Autism Awareness Week for us, represents an opportunity to showcase that local strength and diversity”.
Val de Souza, chief officer of South Lanarkshire Health and
Social Care Partnership, explained: “Our vision is working together to improve health and wellbeing in the community – with the community.
“Much of our work is about nurturing strength and building on community resource and support. That begins at grassroots level and the work of ARCH exemplifies that sentiment.”
To access ARCH all you need to be is a South Lanarkshire resident who is affected by autism, either directly as a parent carer or sibling. The ARCH service can then be accessed by simply phoning 0344 225 1111.