Scottish Autism

We had a lovely chat with the ladies from Scottish Autism ( used to be the Scottish Autistic Society, I think) yesterday afternoon in the showroom :-) They talked about their plans for the future and the services they provide to people on the Autistic spectrum and their families and friends, and the tough times ahead for all charity service providers and agencies, as well as the struggle to raise awareness and fundraise for what is sometimes a really hidden condition.

Now its easy to understand the devastation this lifelong condition can have on people and families. Those affected often look no different from anybody else on the streets of our towns and cities, but when you know a little more about Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Aspergers Syndrome, you start to realise just how it impacts on everybody connected to the person affected. Most often, care is provided by these families with little or no outside help and little or no funding ! Indeed, the families save the government millions of pounds annually by providing this care with little respite from the daily struggle it can sometimes become.

Imagine not being able to leave books, magazines, or paperwork anywhere because your child rips it up, removes the pages, and rearranges them in reverse order. Or insist a on straightening up all the DVD's and CD's inside their cases before leaving home everyday...



In our family, we have two youngsters affected by Aspergers and one profoundly disabled autistic adult with profound learning and behavioural difficulties. They all need special care with their needs and their safety, and one needs round the clock 24-7 care as he is unable to dress, clean or feed himself. All of this without ever.... ever, having any respite care provided in eighteen years ( the age of the oldest)

Organisations like Scottish Autism do fantastic work in service provision and helping parents and carers fight for better treatment and care, even if this is just a weekend of respite care here and there to give them a chance of a short break. They are, like most charities of this kind, grossly underfunded. I sometimes wonder how lives would change if just nine or ten 'bankers' donated their obscene bonuses one year to Scottish Autism? I gave up my job, in part, to help care better for those affected in my family. Many others are also forced to do the same by a system which continually fails the most vulnerable and needy members of our society. I worry about what will happen to our kids when we're gone. Will their brother and sisters have to take up the responsibility, and what help will they get ? Its a constant worry for sure.

So next time you see a collection box for Scottish Autism, please give a thought for the families right here in Scotland, like ours, and imagine what your own lives would be like if your loved ones were affected by something so devastating and lifelong...

For further information go to http://www.scottishautism.org/