Welcome .
Welcome to the web site of the Inverclyde branch of the National Autistic Society and our Fundraising arm Inverclyde Autistic Support Group. Together we hope to increase both awareness and support for Autism within Inverclyde.
On these pages you will find more about us, latest news, information, meeting times, contacts, local events and links to other useful websites.
As we will be adding to this site on a regular basis please keep checking back.
Latest News
Meeting Update:
Thank you for your patience re meetings. I hope to be able to confirm a venue for the March meeting next week. Please check the site for details.
Funding Update:
We are delighted to announce that Inverclyde Autistic Support Group has been successful in two recent funding applications. We have received support from both Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland & The Scottish Community Foundation. The monies received from these funders mean we have sufficient funds for our Saturday Club to the end of 2010.
Autism Bill For Scotland:
As you may be aware Hugh O’Donnell MSP recently launched a private members bill entitled A Scottish Autism Strategy Bill, which we are supporting.
Robert Moffat, NAS National Officer, Central & South Scotland commented: “Our new report, We Exist: A Bill for Autism, A Bill for Scotland", highlights the appalling gaps in services for people with autism in Scotland.
We're calling on the Scottish Government to take urgent action to address this by implementing a national autism strategy, backed up by a Scottish Autism Bill.
For the Bill ...to make progress we need as many MSPs as possible to support it, and we need your help to get their support!
Please take a minute to email your MSPs now, and ask your friends and family to do the same.
The Scottish Government also want to know what you think of the proposed Bill. You can do this by responding to the public consultation – this is our chance to show how much support there is for the Bill, so the more responses the better! We've also produced a guide to help you respond to the consultation, which you can see on our website.
For more information please visit www.autism.org.uk/scottishautismbill
Thank you for your support.”
IASG has been contacted by Richard Harrison & Steve McCabe, Senior lecturers, Centre for Inclusion, James Watt College.
They write:
“Here at James Watt College, we are investigating the possibility of introducing a new course specifically for young people who are on the autistic spectrum.
There will be two main aims for the course:
1. To give these young people the opportunity to experience college life while studying subjects that will be useful to them.
2. If appropriate, to help them to prepare to join another college course at some point in the future.
If you think that this may be of interest to any of your young people, please email us at rharrison@jameswatt.ac.uk or smccabe@jameswatt.ac.uk
”
Remember the more people express an interest in this, the more chance it will receive funding & run – so please e-mail Richard or Steve if you are interested.
More updates on this development when available.
IASG needs your help
As a charity that currently helps approximately 32 local children with ASD and their families through our Playschemes and Saturday club, both of which are run on our behalf by Enterprise Childcare, we are always looking for funds.
We are always on the look out for volunteers and companies who can help with both fund raising suggestions and assist us in running events that support the existing services we provide.
If you are a parent/carer whose child already uses our clubs, please try to imagine how you and your child would feel if the current services were unable to continue.
If you can help in any way, please contact us here.
Mission Statement
"To provide a network of support to families affected by Autism in Inverclyde by offering advice and information. The group will campaign for the needs of families in Inverclyde at local and national level and will work to raise awareness of Autism to the public in general."
Telephone Helplines
NAS HELPLINE 0845 070 4004
The National Autistic Society (NAS) Autism Helpline provides impartial, confidential information, advice and support for people with autistic spectrum disorders, their families, professionals, researchers and students. Click here for more info....
Parent to parent Helpline 0800 9 520 520
The Parent to Parent Line is a free, confidential telephone support service offered by volunteer parents to other parents of an adult or child with an autistic spectrum disorder. Click here for more information.