A2ndvoice - Autism Spectrum Disorder Special Edition January 2014 | Page 5

Appreciation and Acknowledgment Connecting with other Service Providers and Autistic Adults Dr. Hilary Dyer Consultant Educational   Stephen Michaelis CEO – Sensory Activation Katherine Bancroft Head of PR & Media National Autistic Society Patricia Okechukwu CEO – Educational Consultancy Solutions Ltd Mark Brown CEO – Special Help For Special Needs Laurie Morgen Autistic Mother & CEO – Rainbow Attic Jackie Pilgrim Autistic Mother,, Poetress, & CEO – Autism’s Love A2ndvoice would like to thank the speakers who took part for their ongoing support, contributions and making a difference to many autistic individuals and their families within the Special Needs and Autistic Communities. Without the input from many Autistic Adults and Autistic Parents via Social Media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, we would not have been able to achieve so much in raising awareness. This includes recognising the need and support for Women on the Spectrum as many have shared first hand experience that made us want to push to get Laurie Morgen to hold a workshop in Tooting to share her journey about growing up, getting diagnosed late and also her experience as many of the Autistic Mothers that we have spoken to still need support for themselves as well as caring for their children and whether their children/adults are autistic or not. We would also like to say a special thank you to Shell Spectrum, Linda Souza, Pam Mason, Robyn Steward, Zoey Roberts and Ama Rainbow Love for constantly being available where needed, when questions needed to be answered concerning females on the spectrum. More certainly needs to be done in the future. Throughout 2014 we will be re-running all the workshops with Mark Brown and also with Stephen Michaelis, Laurie Morgen, Dr. Hiliary Dyer and Patricia Okechukwu. Dr. Hilary Dyer will be returning to South London in her busy schedule to run a workshop on the forthcomin g changes to the System, the Education Health and Care Plans, and the move from Statementing. This is extremely important to all parents and carers with those within the educational system. There will be new workshops to outreach to the Muslim and Somali Communities, due to cultural differences, language barriers and different faiths this can cause a breakdown of communication leading to delay in a diagnosis, lack of information and representation within these communities. Thank you to our volunteers Jayrani and Nana, to the local businesses School Uniform Direct, Tooting Library, All Sorts Club, Netstop Internet Café and our A2ndvoice Committee – Jonathan Swaby, Leonie Williams, Joyce Ramsay, Delroy Marshall and Kelvin Joseph. If you feel that would like to volunteer with A2ndvoice, run a workshop or be part of the BME Group. Please E: [email protected] indicating what you would like to be involved in. 5 5