Today marks the UN designated day for autism awareness and Northern Ireland’s leading autism charity is reaching out to the autism community who are feeling added pressure during the current crisis.
Autism NI has developed a range of free educational and self-care resources to help the autism community in Northern Ireland and their helpline is also available to parents, professionals and autistic individuals.
Autism NI CEO Kerry Boyd said, “Now, more than ever in this difficult period, the autism community needs support and I want to reassure them that Autism NI is here to help.
There are many autism families that are experiencing numerous additional challenges and unique pressures in the current situation.
The unexpected changes to an autistic individual’s routine, including closures of schools and workplaces, can have significant impacts on a person’s anxiety and ability to cope. The sensory processing and communication difficulties that many autistic individuals experience can be compounded by a number of facilities and services being unavailable during this time and the new rules around social distancing.”
Local parent Annie Davison said, “Through this very stressful time, Autism NI has supported me through their online resources and Helpline service. Using the resources with my children has helped ease their anxiety levels and confusion, during these very uncertain times. The Charity’s positivity and support has reminded me how important it is to stay happy and safe and most importantly, that there is help available for me and my family if we need it.”
Autism NI’s resources are helping others throughout the world too. A Swiss Charity, Autismus, recently translated these resources into German to be used in Switzerland.
For further information and to download resources, visit www.autismni.org or call Autism NI’s Helpline on 028 9040 1729 option 1.
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