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World Autism Awareness Week

Published: 28/03/2018

World Autism Awareness Week runs from 26 March to 2 April 2018. To celebrate, the North Wales Integrated Autism Service (IAS) is funding a number of activities across the region in partnership Flintshire Local Voluntary Council (FLVC), Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC), Medrwn Mon and Mantell Gwynedd. Activities include Autism Awareness training, “drop-in sessions”, small grants, scoping the need for community activities for autistic individuals and promoting those already available. Welsh Government is investing in Integrated Autism Services (IAS) in Wales and the North Wales service will be jointly hosted by Flintshire County Council and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The IAS will provide new adult diagnostic services; lifelong support for autistic individuals (children and adults) their families and carers; help with transition from child to adult provision and training for professionals. The ethos of the service is to ensure autistic individuals and carers are able to access advice, support and interventions needed to enable them to reach their full potential. The service aims to work in partnership with already established services and not in place of them. The North Wales service is currently in the developmental stages, and will be launched in phases from June 2018. Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Services, Councillor Christine Jones, said: “Autistic children and adults often find it difficult to understand the world and fitting into society can be challenging. It’s important to raise awareness locally about autism and the effect it has on an individual and their family members and carers. The work being done in North Wales is vital to ensure that support and understanding continue to grow.” For more information on Autism, please go to www.ASDinfoWales.co.uk and for the IAS www.ASDinfoWales.co.uk/integrated-autism-service