National Autistic Society: Cambridge Branch

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Welcome to the July issue of the NAS Cambridge Branch E-news.  We hope that many of our readers will be having a summer holiday, and for those that are travelling abroad there is a handy planning checklist  on the NAS website (http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/become-a-member/membership-enewsletter/handy-holiday-tips.aspx).  Travelling with young children with ASD can be hard-going, especially with long waits at airports or long flights.

When the humans are away the OOglies play! The household pranksters sprout eyes and embark on a series of adventures that will find them slipping, sliding and splatting onto television screens.  This animation has lots of visual gags and no talking, very popular with children of all ages (including some NAS branch committee members).  Watch the OOglies on CBBC and iplayer

Koren Wilmer runs a music therapy/creative arts private practice for children with ASD and other Special Needs.  She is currently offering a free 'taster session' to give interested parents the opportunity to see how their child responds and to find out more about how creative arts therapy can help their child's development.  Pleasae contact Koren fo further details: koren.musicbox@tesco.net, 01954 252326.

SAWSTON CHILDREN’S CENTRE SUMMER 2010

Please come and see us at our premises based at the Bellbird

Primary School and register so we can keep you updated with new

events and sessions, or if you need any information. We’re here for

all families with babies and children under five.

We look forward to meeting you and your children.

The Senior Involvement Family worker at Sawston Children’s

Centre is Fay Carter – Tel: 07818 013548.

The Manager is Theresa Bateman – Tel: 0771 7542 663.

The day my four-year-old son received a diagnosis of ASD, my husband and I walked away from the Child Development Clinic at Addenbrookes holding a brown envelope we’d been given and a warning that here on in everything would be a struggle. Inside the envelope were a few badly photocopied leaflets and fliers from various services. And that was it. I suppose I thought that a diagnosis would open doors to therapies, training and advice – the sort of thing I would expect from a hospital department focused on child development.

Cambridgeshire’s Adult Autism Development Project was formally launched on 19th May 2010 with those attending from a good cross section of parent/carers, those with ASD, professionals and service providers.

Claire Bruin, Service Director, Adult Services, Cambridgeshire County Council chaired the event and set out Cambridgeshire County Council’s involvement and the partnership working of the project.

Maria Cooper, Development Officer for Adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders provided an overview of the role and aims of the project.

The Inclusion Class at the Fawcett School in Trumpington will be closed from Easter 2011. The class is currently run and funded by Granta School for

children on roll at Granta, but they are unable to keep the class open due to financial circumstances.

VOLUNTEER BUS DRIVER REQUIRED

Following the launch of the Government's free swimming initiative in April 2009, South Cambridgeshire pools have seen almost a 40% increase in swimming visits. The scheme is open to young people aged 16 & under and adults aged 60 and over. Just visit your local pool to register.

Now, as part of the London 2012 Open Weekend celebrations Free Swimming sessions for everyone have been arranged at the following pools:

Bottisham Sports Centre 01223 811121