New £156,000 funding boost for the National Autistic Society UK

Main Category: Autism
Article Date: 17 May 2004 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

UKHealth Minister Stephen Ladyman, today announced a new funding boost of £156,000 for the National Autistic Society's 'Social Skills-Young People with Asperger Syndrome' project.

Allocated over three years, the new funding from the Department of Health's Section 64 Grant Programme, provides the charity with £156,000 ($250,000) to:

Provide a network of social groups for young adults with Asperger Syndrome;

Enable young people to lead independent lives by helping them learn how to form relationships, develop community and social skills, to learn the skills to help them avoid being victims of crime through their vulnerability and enable them to make positive choices; and

Run social skills courses to help young people acquire the skills needed to voice their opinions to decision makers.

Welcoming the start of Autism Awareness Week, Dr. Ladyman said:

"We are delighted to be able to announce this new investment to improve services for people with autism. It is one of the least understood but most frightening and difficult of conditions. We welcome initiatives that aim to improve our knowledge and understanding of autism.

"We are grateful to groups like the National Autistic Society and other voluntary organisations that work hard to provide better support for people with Asperger Syndrome. The work they do is vital for making sure that people with this condition can be confident that they get the support they need."

Eileen Hopkins, Director of Development at the National Autistic Society, said:

"We are delighted to receive this grant at a time when our knowledge of the vulnerability of this group of people, who are attempting to live a mainstream life, is becoming known. The grant will enable the development of self-advocacy in a safe and knowledgeable setting. We continue to be grateful to the Department of Health for supporting the work of the NAS"

Related links

National Autistic Society UK

http://www.dh.gov.uk/ExternalLink?EXTERNAL_LINK=http%3A//www.nas.org.uk

Notes to editor

1. Since April 2000, the National Autistic Society has been awarded project funding totalling £535,000. This includes £156,000 over three years for then 'Social Skills-Young People with Asperger Syndrome' project. The other projects funded since 2000/2001 are 'Asperger Syndrome,' 'Help! Parental Training' and 'Independence and Autism'.

2. The National Autistic Society (NAS) is the UK's leading charity for people with autistic spectrum disorders and their families. In its 42nd year it continues to spearhead national and international initiatives and provide a strong voice for autism. The society provides a wide range of services to help people with autism and Asperger syndrome live their lives with as much independence as possible.

3. Autism (including Asperger syndrome) is a lifelong developmental disability. It is a spectrum condition occurring in varying degrees of severity and affects more than an estimated 500,000 people in the UK. It is characterized by a triad of impairments that involve difficulties forming social relationships, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication and the development of strong narrow obsessional interests.

4. For further information on autism and the NAS, please contact: NAS PR & Media Team , Tel - 020 7903 3593, Fax - 020 7903 3596, Email - press@nas.org.uk, Website - click on the link below. Out of hours mobile - 07787 124 792.

Contact Press Officer
Phone Shima Islam
020 7210 5375