About Us

Our Aims , Founder & Directors

Our Aims

Autism Somerset’s activities benefit individuals, their families and carers who are affected by autism , including Education, Health & Social Care agencies charged with supporting individuals, families and Carers.

We offer training and consultancy to Public and Private providers of that support., families, communities, schools and employers.

Our aim is to build a ‘community membership’ for those who come into contact with autism sharing a common interest in the wellbeing of those affected. We do this by enhancing awareness and understanding of the condition amongst the designated local authorities with populations from 2-500,000. As part of our autism communication strategy we offer a calendar of training and events.

Training and events are designed to facilitate opportunities for continuing professional and personal development for individuals, families and professionals alike. Our objectives are to explore what is available, ask what is needed and build relationships, so we can signpost effectively. The training courses are directed at raising autism awareness for parents, carers and professionals with workshops to improve emotional wellbeing, resilience, employability and mental health. In response to high anxiety in Autism we have developed a 12 Step Anxiety Program which leads to a continuing peer-support group.

Our Founder Campbell Main set up Autism Community Network CIC 30th December 2011 Company number 07894336 https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/07894336. Trading as Autism Somerset the original website began life in response to the NICE Guidelines https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg142 the Autism Act http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/15/contents. with the help of Jane Macpherson a comprehensive website developed over the years. Some of the original content will filter across to this site in due course.

On the 1st January 2016 Allison Ward joined the team, sadly due to ill health Campbell resigned but continued to advise us and hold local authority to account. On the 30th December 2018 Stephen Bradshaw joined us after a long and successful career setting up and running special schools and residential care for both children and adults. This includes founding Farleigh College that specialises in Aspergers and The Aurora Group that runs schools and care services across the country.

Fortunately our wonderful volunteer Corrine delivers an informative and popular monthly Newsletter and maintains our social media presence.

If you are exploring Autism in regards to a child or adult diagnosis the National Autistic Society website holds comprehensive and regularly updated information in relation to the diagnostic criteria https://www.autism.org.uk/about/diagnosis/criteria-changes.aspx.

Our Courses, Workshops and Consultancy

Visit our Training and consultancy page fro courses/workshops and events.

Autism Awareness Autism & Anxiety Autism , Anxiety & Avoidance ADHD

Anxiety Awarenessn Attachment Disorder ABC Anxiety Behaviour & Coaching Healthy Eating Neuro-Diversity Social Stories

The 12 Step Anxiety Program Coping with Self-Harm Mental Health Awareness Education & Trainer Qualification OCN London

Creative Writing for Mental Wellbeing Neuro-Linguistic Programming for beginners

Information

Resources & Jargon

Health

Somerset Choices-

https://choices.somerset.gov.uk/Somerset Total Communication-

http://www.somersettotalcommunication.org.uk/aboutus.html

Hospital Passport -

https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/disabled-facilities/patients-with-a-learning-disability/hospital-passport/

SALT - Speech and Language -

http://www.sompar.nhs.uk/what-we-do/general-health/speech-and-language-theraspy/

OT - Occupational Therapist -

https://www.brainwave.org.uk/occupational-therapyEducational

Eating Disorders

https://www.swedauk.org/Education

Education

SENDIAS- https://somersetsend.org.uk/

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/

Ed Psych - Educational Psychologist -

http://www.supportservicesforeducation.co.uk/Services/

SEND - https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/extra-SEN-help

ECHP Journeys- https://ehcpjourneys.com/support/

Service Providers

Somerset Autism Spectrum Service

http://www.sompar.nhs.uk/what-we-do/mental-health/somerset-autism-spectrum-service/

National Autistic Society

https://www.autism.org.uk/services/england/somerset.aspx

ESCAPE - http://www.blossominsomerset.co.uk/

Blossom - http://www.blossominsomerset.co.uk/

My Days - https://mydaycareservices.com/about-my-day/

Crystal Care - https://www.crystalcare-supportathome.co.uk/about-us/

You First - https://www.youfirstsupportservices.org.uk

MIcro-Providers - small good stuff -

https://www.smallgoodstuff.co.uk/somerset/

Please email us with information about your service news@autismsomerset.org.uk

The 12 Step Anxiety Program for 2020 is funded by European Union Social Fund see the 12 Step page BOOK ON EVENTBRITE

Allison Ward
Stephen Bradshaw
Dianne Zaccheo
Lena Brentnall
Bernard Barden
Nicky Gibbard

Useful Facebook Pages

Finding Your Way - Support Groups

You're it now

Escape

EAQ Manor Farm

Bristol Autism Support

National Autistic Society Bristol Branch

National Autistic Society Somerset Branch

Somerset Parent Carer Forum

Somerset Time For Youth Special Needs Club

The Yeovil Hub

The Hub @ Morland Hall

Chard ADHD children's behaviour support group

Wellbeing South Somerset

Small Good Stuff

Flip-Out Somerset

AIW Autism, Inclusion & Wellbeing Consultancy Milton Keynes

Ups and Downs

Purple Ella

Conquest Centre

Testimonals

Autism Awareness, ABC Anxiety Behvaiour & Coaching The 12 Step Anxiety Program

Autism Awareness

'Things make sense now'

'my daughter has slept in her own bed for the first time in 2 years, thank you'

I used the cylinder to help my mum understand me'

'I can connect with my son'

'Just want to say say I'm working on my broadcasting!'

I just wanted to thank you for these courses. The staff who went on Monday were really positive about it at both their Line management meeting with their Centre Manager and during feedback at our instructor meeting. Our centre Manager, is going to make contact to see if we could run further training in January of the back of the positive feedback, which is brilliant.

ABC

'Please come along to our organisation' Conquest

'i tried the strategies last night, now I'm beginning to understand'

'i'm going to home to do the Exit Strategies with my whole family, yes, i'm also going to do it!'

'I can use these techniques with lots of my clients'

'This stuff will help outside of work'

"The straw, what a great idea'!

We have received some really positive feedback from the Anxiety Workshop you ran on 21.11.19.

These are some of the comments:

“This workshop was very helpful for me and I was able to make some motivational posters and also posters explaining my anxiety so that it is easier for myself and others to understand why I act a certain way sometimes”

“My customer was really buzzing after the workshop, they were so pleased to learn strategies to help them and speak to other people who understood them, they wished it could be on every week.”

“My customer said they really liked the workshop and it helped being with other people who were anxious. They felt the other participants understood and it really helped them.”

Some mentioned they were going to tell people they trusted so they are better able to help, perhaps have a Plan B and C as well as plans on how to exit situations. Taunton Job Centre

The 12 Step Anxiety Program

'We still meet up'

'I'm in control of my panic attacks, I can walk into town, as long as I have my straw!'

'It's like we have our own family.'

I don’t want it to end.

I couldn’t speak to anyone before this course, now I’d love to deliver workshops on anxiety.

I have a much better relationship with my family.

I hardly get panic attacks when I’m out, I always take my straw with me and I just stop and breathe through the straw and carry on. I never thought I’d be able to go out into town on my own again.

I recognise the drama triangle now and I stay out of it.

I know what is my stuff and give other people back their stuff, I have great scripts which I can use so I don’t feel bad or guilty when I say no or I can’t help.

Autistic young woman: I wish I had done this course when I was younger, learning about self-regulation has been life changing'

Research

Statistic for Improvement 88%

Know my anxiety 68%

Participate in relaxation more than twice a week 63%

Implement strategies 50%

Participate in self-care 25%

Personal goal achieved in the first 6 weeks 32%

Self assessment for improvement in anxiety improved being moved from 1-5 63%

Improve wellbeing and mental health 50%

Improve physical health 44%

Gained job related skills 32%

Improved self-confidence 57%

Increased involvement in local community and improve social relationships 38%

Develop personal skills 32%

Achieved a Weightloss 4 out of 20

Autism Somerset CIC

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