Oldham leads way in services for autism

A GOVERNMENT minister is calling for research into the number of adults with autism so that services can be improved.

And the idea has been backed in Oldham, which has won national accreditation for some of its services for autistic people.

Health Minister and Bury South MP Ivan Lewis has announced £500,000 for the research, which will focus on the transition period from childhood into adulthood.

He said: “One of the key gaps in our knowledge is simple — we don’t know how many people have the condition.”

His action follows a report by the National Autistic Society entitled I Exist which calls for more research into the number of adults with autism in the UK, and support from councils, health trusts, and the Government.

The society calls Oldham a leading authority in terms of autism provision, gaining accreditation for its supported tenancy, day service and respite provision.

Oldham Council’s adult and community services department recently set up a youth club for older teenagers and adults with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

And the department has a specific worker for autistic service-users — Wendy Atkinson, based at the Ena Hughes Centre, Failsworth.

Wendy, the mother of a primary-age autistic son, said: “The new club follows on from one at the Honeywell Centre, Hathershaw, which is for under-16s.

“It takes place is at Chadderton Court every Wednesday and has developed through word of mouth. But we have a waiting list for these services.

“For a lot of people over 16 it is the only time they get out, and they can be socially isolated and depressed.”

The club is managed by fellow worker Lisa Stapleton who said the aim is to give members the space to be themselves and to mix with people who understand their conditions.

She added: “We try to vary things, so there are films, computers, an art room, and we are going to get a Nintendo Wii and a pool table.

“A lot depends on what the young people want.”

Parent Tony Seddon (41) takes his son Ryan (16), who has Asperger’s, which leads to obsessive-compulsive behaviour.

Ryan is fascinated by 999 services which has got him into trouble in the past. And he is over-friendly with adults.

He said: “I like it here because I can just talk to people and I know they will listen. When I feel down I do different sorts of things, and talk to people like Lisa.”

Tony said: “He doesn’t understand the boundaries with strangers which gets him into some very dangerous situations. Here I can feel comfortable about him.

“It would be nice if there were more facilities like this. It is a godsend. I could not leave him in a normal youth group.”

Another carer, Debbie (46), said her 18-year-old son, Andrew, goes every week with a friend called Anthony. Both are autistic but Andrew struggles with communication skills.

She said: “He needs consistency and this gives him consistency. They can be themselves here.

“Andrew can be great one minute and aggressive the next and he doesn’t realise the consequences of his actions.

“It is fantastic here, even though it is only one night a week. It would be nice if there were more in other areas because it must be hard for parents to travel.”

Club member Lisa Marsh (22), who was one of the first to join, last December, is a cleaner for Oldham Primary Care Trust and one of a few female members.

She said: “I’ve made new friends and you can try new things.

“The lads are okay. This is my social life.”