UK Autism News

Over fifty parliamentarians of all parties have signed early day motion 1551 on Autism and the Cerer's Allowance. The motion was tabled by Lee Scott MP in the House of Commons in Westminster. Autism campaigners have been calling on the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State at the Department of Work and Pensions to substantially increase the Carer's Allowance.

Autism Carers deserve better. Some are on 75 pence an hour, in terms of the allowances. There are many who are not even on any allownces. Autism is a 24 hour job and parents and carers are in need of urgent help and support. The UK Autism Foundation has been spearheading a campaign for substantial increases to the Carer's Allowance for all those who are caring for children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

EDM 1551 now before the House of Commons states:

That this House pays tribute to and acknowledges the valuable contribution made by thousands of parents and carers in supporting the needs of children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome; supports the call of the UK Autism Foundation urging the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to consider a substantial increase to the carer's allowance; shares the concern of the UK Autism Foundation that the present economic crisis is plunging some parents, carers and families with autism into poverty; and backs the call of autism campaigners for the Government to increase tax credits, the disability living allowance and the carer's allowance in order for parents, carers and children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome to survive the credit crunch and the deepening recession.

Child prodigy, the brilliant young violinist, Danielle Mac will be playing alongside the world famous cellist, Tony Woollard in a concert in aid of the UK Autism Foundation on Saturday 3rd October 2009 at All Saint's Church, Inman's Row, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0NH at 7 p.m. Tickets for the 'Tony Woollard in Concert' event have now gone on sale and are available from the All Saint's Church Office - 0208504 0266.

It will be an opportunity for people to see the renowned cellist Tony Woollard and the Future Talent Star Danielle Mac.

Here is what Future Talent has to say about the young violinist Danielle Mac:

At 9 she won an AYM national award and entered the Royal Academy of Music's junior department. She has performed for Future Talent at Goldsmith's Hall and at Classic FM Music Makers as well as at the Barbican Centre and ExCeL International Trade Centre. Danielle has also played at town halls, churches and schools in East London and Essex including at Walthamstow, Newham and Woodford Music and Arts festivals.

Danielle has guest-led two orchestras and co-led her Primary Orchestra at the Royal Academy. She is now 12 and a music scholar at Lincoln Minster School. Although she performs mainly solo, she is also a huge fan of chamber music, having led her string quartets many times and played in a woodwind-string octet.

Danielle recently played solo at Lincoln Cathedral, performing the Variations by Paganini. She is participating in the UKAF fundraiser which is presented by West Essex Musicians.

West Essex Musicians present 'Tony Woollard in Concert', Saturday 3rd October 2009 at 7pm. The concert will take place at All Saints' Church in Woodford Green, Essex and will feature performances from Future Talent Star Danielle Mac and other Woodford talent, including St. Aubyn's Jewish dance. It is being held in Aid of UK Autism Foundation, more information about the work of UK Autism Foundation can be found on www.ukautismfoundation.org and information on the award winning Cellist Tony Woollard.

Tickets are now avaliable and can be booked by calling 020 85040266

The member of parliament for Feltham and Heston Alan Keen MP together with his wife, Health Minister Ann Keen MP,(Brentford & Isleworth) wrote to the UK Autism Foundation wishing the 'Scope for Hope' autism charity dinner in Feltham every success. Hundreds attended the glittering event, held at the Royal Naval Association Club in Feltham, Middlesex on Saturday 13th June.

Alan and Ann Keen in a special message said:

"We are very sorry that we cannot be with you tonight for this very auspicious occasion. The hard work and dedication of the UK Autism Foundation deserves huge support and we are extremely impressed with the Foundation's achievements to date.

We hope you all have a great evening and raise lots of money to continue to help fund the Foundation's excellent work."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown signed a very special bottle of House of Commons Claret which was auctioned on the night. He sent his best wishes.

Other auction items included a signed shirt by Sri Lankan cricket stars Tilkeratne Dilshan, World's Number One bowler Murali, batsmen Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayewardene who are currently representing Sri Lanka in the 20/20 Cricket Championships in the United Kingdom. Autographed photographs of England players Alistair Cook and Dimitri Mascarenhas, a signed photo of F1 Driver Jensen Button (currently leading the F1 Championships), a Manchester United print of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Nani and Christiano Ronaldo, were also auctioned to raise funds for the UK Autism Foundation.

The raffle prizes included a copy of the new thriller 'Gauntlet' gifted by the Canadian author Richard Aaron, a signed copy of 'Twin Brothers World's Apart,' written by campaigner Kevin Healey who has Asperger's Syndrome, were snapped up by guests at the dinner.

Lee Scott MP and Nirj Deva MEP were among those who sent messages of greetings to the 'Scope for Hope' dinner.

The music was by the group 'Sunset.' Organiser Chulanie de Alwis and singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis (who wrote the song for autism 'Open Every Door' played by 15 local radio stations on Autism Sunday in February this year) were made 'Ambassadors for Autism' with a special presentation on the night.

Ivan Corea of UKAF thanked CDA Events Management Services for organising the 'Scope for Hope' dinner dance - the event was well supported by the business and medical communities.

The UK Autism Foundation has been campaigning on behalf of families with autism who are below the poverty line. Ivan Corea urged all those present at the 'Scope for Hope' dinner to support the work of UKAF.

CDA Events Management Services presents

'Scope for Hope'

in aid of the UK Autism Foundation

on Saturday 13th June 2009

at the Royal Naval Association Club, Park Road, Feltham, TW13 6PP

Live music by the group 'SUNSET' with a guest appearance by Nimal Mendis, the singer/songwriter who composed the song for autism, 'Open Every Door.'

From 7 pm onwards - bar facilities and free car parking.

Tickets - adults £20,00 with a buffet dinner

Children upto 12 years - £10

Great Raffle Prizes and a small auction....

For tickets please call:

Chulie: 0208 408 4137

Lee Scott MP for Ilford North who has been campaigning in the House of Commons for parents, carers, children and adults with Asperger's Syndrome is calling on Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Government to increase the carer's allowance for possibly over a million carers who are looking after children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the United Kingdom.

There are 500,000 people with autism in the UK and over 100,000 children are on the autism spectrum. Recently Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote for the first time on autism when he contacted the UK Autism Foundation to share his Autism Plan. Support for UKAF's autism awareness campaign has also come from David Cameron who wrote to the foundation and said: 'As many as one in a hundred people could be affected by some form of autism, and it is important that we recognise and raise awareness of the difficulties and challenges that they can face.'

Ivan Corea of UKAF said: ' Many carers are plunging into poverty as a result of the credit crunch and the recession. Lee Scott MP is backing UKAF's call to parliamentarians of all parties in the House of Commons to support our campaign to raise the carer's allowance for carers who are working around the clock for children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Autism is a 24 hour job and we urge the Prime Minister to listen to the voices of parents and carers.'

The early day motion tabled by Lee Scott MP reads:

Autism And The Carer's Allowance

That this house pays tribute and acknowledges the valuable contribution made by thousands of parents and carers, in supporting the needs of children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome; supports the call of the UK Autism Foundation urging the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State at the Department of Work and Pensions to consider a substantial increase to the carer's allowance; shares the concern of the UK Autism Foundation that the present economic crisis is plunging some parents, carers and families with autism into poverty; backs the call of autism campaigners for Her Majesty's Government to increase the tax credits, the disabilities living allowance and the carer's allowance in order for parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome to survive the credit crunch and the deepening recession.

Lee Scott is Patron of the UK Autism Foundation. He is a member of the Select Committee on Health in the House of Commons in Westminster.

A leading Nigerian community leader, Godwin Odusami was appointed a UKAF 'Ambassador for Autism' recently at a star studded event hosted by the UEL Nigerian Society Boat Dinner and Dance in London Docklands. Among those present were leading Nigerian Chiefs and Community Leaders.

Over 400 people were present at the glittering event marking the launching of the Nigerian Students Society. The event helped raise awareness of autism and the work carried out by the UK Autism Foundation.

Ivan Corea of the UK Autism Foundation thanked Godwin Odusami for his tireless efforts and said he is a worthy Ambassador for Autism. Godwin has been promoting the work of UKAF.

Godwin Odusami pledged to support the work of UKAF and undertake fundraising events for the charity. Ivan Corea paid tribute to his hard work.

The UK Autism Foundation has endorsed ‘Gauntlet’ the thriller written by the Canadian author, Richard Aaron. The book was recently launched in London in the House of Commons in the Palace of Westminster. Richard Aaron met with British autism campaigners Lee Scott MP, Member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Health and Patron of UKAF, together with Ivan Corea of the UK Autism Foundation. UKAF hopes to hand over signed copies to Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg.

Richard Aaron has modelled the hero of his new novel Gauntlet, a techno-thriller, on his own autistic son, now a young adult. The book is a tribute to the special and often unrecognized talents possessed by his son, and Richard hopes it will encourage people to see past autism to the very real abilities that many autistic people have.

Gauntlet, the new techno-thriller from Richard Aaron, published by Glass House Press, introduces the world to autistic savant Hamilton Turbee, a character who embodies both the astounding abilities and tragic misunderstandings of autism. Richard goes one step further and puts a young man with the social condition on the international stage. Turbee proves himself to be the only one capable of tracking the bad guys when he becomes the one with the answers to the questions. His specific brain chemistry and functionality set him up, in the end, as the man who might save the nation.

For the first time, an autistic person plays 007; America’s hero, out to stop the attack in the only way he understands – by being more clever than anyone else.

As father to an autistic child, Richard Aaron writes from personal experience and a longtime study of the condition, making Turbee both realistic and understandable, and giving the world a better idea of the many aspects that go into the disorder. The author has made it his personal mission to inspire his own son, Taylor, and the thousands of autistic children throughout the world, by giving them a role model worth their attention.

On a larger scale, Gauntlet is a very current story about terrorism on American soil, with all the bells and whistles of a great international suspense/techno thriller novel. Aaron has included an added depth with a cast of unique and important characters, working both for and against each other in a mad race against the clock. Conspiracy theories abound, and the bad guys keep the good guys in the dark until the last second.

'I was delighted to meet Richard Aaron in the Palace of Westminster, during his visit to London. I look forward to reading 'Gauntlet.' The main character in his book has autism. Many of us in the House of Commons have been campaigning on the serious issues concerning autism and Asperger's Syndrome. As Patron of the UK Autism Foundation I welcome Richard Aaron's commitment to all people with autism...'

Lee Scott MP
House of Commons
Westminster

' Computer mastermind Hamilton Turbee, the hero in Richard Aaron's book 'Gauntlet' has autism and yet he was given the chance to fulfil his potential. I found 'Gauntlet' absolutely riveting - it is such a good read and a fiction masterpiece. 'Gauntlet' is a huge plus for all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome around the world - they all have potential....'

Ivan Corea
UK Autism Foundation

The UK Autism Foundation is recommending the moving story 'Twin Brothers Worlds Apart,' written by Kevin Healey who has Asperger's Syndrome.

Ivan Corea said: 'Kevin Healey is a wonderful champion for autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the United Kingdom. I am delighted to invite him to join an Advisory Board for the UK Autism Foundation. He has been an amazing advocate for autism and Asperger's Syndrome. His voice deserves to be heard.'

Kevin Healey has released a book: 'Twin Brothers Worlds Apart.' It is an autobiography about identical twins Shaun, who has autism, and Kevin, who has Asperger syndrome, living in their own worlds.

' Twin Brothers Worlds Apart,' is a journey of sadness and happiness, Kevin Healey, founder of NSAAA and SAAS, writes about his experience - living with this condition. He is a marvellous Ambassador for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the United Kingdom.

So take a step into their world of autism.

RRP £12.99 P&P £1.50

To order the Kevin Healey book please contact:

By Post :
Staffordshire Adult Autistic Society
Po Box 2977
Newcastle Under Lyme
Staffordshire
ST55 9DN

Channel 4's Year Dot is a groundbreaking initiative, following the lives of 15 young people while they look for support online in their "Year Dot" - a defining year in their life.The UK Autism Foundation has applauded the courage one of the 15 Year Dotters, Josh Muggleton who has Asperger's Syndrome.Josh is also a National Councillor for the NAS.

He has recently gone off to St' Andrews University and Channel 4 are following his progress as he embarks on this new venture and deals with Asperger's Syndrome.

Josh often does public speeches to raise awareness about Aspergers and he is currently writing his own book to help increase understanding of ASD. At the moment, Josh is getting to grips with his book on Asperger syndrome but is only too aware of how much he has left to write. He’s so passionate about getting his experiences out there that he’s putting a lot of extra pressure on himself to get it finished.

View the latest catch up video featuring Josh here:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=55845742

Here is the link to Josh's profile and blogs:
http://www.yeardot.co.uk/whoweare-10/videotype-5/josh-muggleton.html

More information can be found at www.yeardot.co.uk

As ever, get it touch with us to share your thoughts on how you think Josh is getting on: http://www.yeardot.co.uk/comment