PHAD News 2003
Fun Swim Dates
Sat 6th Sept, Sat 1st Nov , 6.45-7.45pm at Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre. £1.50 each.
Fun Activities
Dates to be organised, AS will create fridge notice for members.
Next Meeting (Queen Margaret)
Tuesday 17th June, open discussion before the holiday period.
Proposals for future meetings, a) Child Care Partnerships
b) Crossroads (Caring for Carers)
c) Fife Council Young Carers
d) Princess Trust Carers Centre
Dads Evening
Tuesday 24th June 7.30-9.30pm Queen Margaret Hospital
Next Meeting (Victoria Hospital)
Thursday 19th June – communications and socialising is the topic for the
evening.
PHAD AGM
Thursday 26th June@ 7pm-the Boardroom, Hayfield House, Victoria Hospital,Kirkaldy.
All PHAD members are welcome to attend.
Hobby Horse Project
Trip to Scottish Vintage Bus Museum, Sunday25th May. This was a wonderful success
and all families had a really enjoyable time. We will be back!
Sponsored Bridge CROSS – Please note change of
place
Has been changed to sponsored walk round Pittencrieff Park (Dunfermline
Group), or Beveridge Park (Kirkcaldy Group) (date still the same) Sunday
22nd June.
Set off time is 1045 from Glen gates opposite Rejects, Dunfermline, OR in the
car park of Beveridge park.
Please support this event! Bring a picnic,
make it a family outing! Sponsor sheets may be obtained from Stella.
Stars in Their Eyes (Fife)
This was held on 7th June at Cowdenbeath Bowling Club. It was a very entertaining
evening with over £600 being raised and to be shared between Gordon Cottage,
Kelty, and PHAD (Fife ) Dunfermline.
Training Session
Convenient times and dates to be arranged. Preference by those wishing to attend
had been a Saturday. Stella will look into this and keep everybody briefed
on venue, date etc.
Scottish Executive ASD Reference Group
Report on a recent audit of services and numbers of people ( children & adults
) with an ASD.
Cross- Party on Autism
Next meeting, to be arranged, please phone Kaye Runciman on 01259-720044 to
let her know if you intend to go.
PHAD Outings
Would anyone who has transport be interested in forming a group circle to oblige
others who may not be able to make it to the swims and fun activities otherwise.
Anyone wishing to do so please leave a contact number with Stella. A few members
have offered their assistance already. Stella thanks them for their kindness.
Draft Education Bill
Draft Education Additional Support For Learning (Scotland) Bill.
tel. 0131 244 7139 or 1622— e-mail aslbill@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
And also Moving Forward (Additional support for learning)
tel. 0870 606 5566—Call and request your free copy.
Fun Swim
Sat 14th June 6:45 - 7:45 pm at Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre. £1.50 each.
Next Meetings
Dunfermline Group -Tuesday 20th May. A representative from `Lend a Hand` will
give a talk on the services they provide.
Kirkcaldy Group – Thursday 22nd May, for an open discussion sharing information
/ strategies / discussing issues.
Dunfermline Group’s Dad’s Evening
Tuesday 24th June
PHAD AGM
Thursday 26th June at 7pm – the Boardroom, Hayfield House, Victoria Hospital,
Kirkcaldy. All PHAD members are very welcome to attend.
Hobby Horse Project
Trip to Deep Sea World was very successful.
Next outing will be 25th May, when we will visit the bus museum.
Hobby Horse Project Fundraiser Sponsored Bridge Crossing
Sunday 22nd June. For set-off time and form, for those wishing to Participate, please contact
Stella.
Many thanks to the continued contribution of the working group members.
Stars in their Eyes
This recent fundraiser was an excellent event. The evening was buzzing and all
attending had great fun. A total of £802.00 was raised, and our thanks
go to all who contributed to its wonderful success. This is definitely something
we’ll do again.
Training Session
Dunfermline Group to arrange training session for 10 parents of pre school-primary
school aged children with Stella.
SSA-CETA Courses
Dr Tony Altwood; Fri 30th May /Bridge of Don/Aberdeen £150 per person – A
Guide for Parents and Professionals. Sat 31st May /Airth Castle /Airth. £150
per person.- Understanding Asperger`s Syndrome.
01259 720044
OAASIS
Office for advice, assistance support and information on:
| Special needs help
line |
09068 633201 |
 National |
www.oasis.co.uk |
| Hesley group website: |
www.hesleygroup.co.uk |
| Brock house, Grigg Lane Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7RE. |
Draft Education Bill
Draft Education Additional Support For Learning (Scotland) Bill.
0131 244
7139 or 1622. Email aslbill@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
And also Moving Forward (Additional support for learning) TEL 0870 606 5566.
Call and request your free copy.
Stars in their Eyes- Charity Fundraising Concert 7th June
In Aid of Phad Fife and Gordon Cottage, Stars in their Eyes (Fife) at Bowling
Club Cowdenbeath. Tickets £2.50 each.
March Edinburgh Saturday 12th April
East Market Street to Parliament Square from 1pm March for:
|
|
Please Bring Banners with you! Remember banners can be home-made!
| Contacts: | AAA: Bill Welsh | 0141 638 6131 |
 info@actagainstautism.org.uk |
| AAA (North): Sheila Kyle | 01463 223189 |
Sheilakyle@aol.com |
|
| NAS Glasgow | 0141 221 8090 |
||
| RONA: Steve Law | 0777 946 9238 |
autism@fsmail.net |
|
| SSA: Kaye Runciman | 07773 286545 |
Runciman@autism-in-scotland.org.uk |
Hobby Horse Project
The working group were continuing to meet regarding this venture, with the first
outing being arranged for Saturday 29th March.
It was proposed that we look into reshaping this venture, making it more of a
family experience. Invites will still be sent to our children, carefully worded
with full instructions on what to do. It was proposed that outings would be organised
on a bimonthly basis to a variety of interesting venues, so our children, and
families, will gain a hands-on real life experience of what’s
out there in our big and interesting world. It was agreed that this would be a
good idea, and it was decided to pull a team together to follow this through.
A team has been put together, consisting of Stella, Kimberley Hamill, Morag Evans
and Margaret Malcolm to assist with the organising and shaping of this initiative.
Our thanks go to each of them, as this project has proven such a success thus
far.
Children's X’mas Party
This was another roaring success with approx. 30 attending. Everybody had a great
time, and there wasn’t a tear to be seen – even when a few balloons
burst unexpectedly! Many thanks to all who made this such a great success, especially
Alison Slaughter for organising it with such precision.
Group’s Evening Out
A little reminder for all those wishing to attend, please forward your forms as
soon as possible.
Dunfermline And Kirkcaldy Group Fundraiser For The Hobby
Horse Project
Julie Inches, her mum, Jeanette Montgomery, and friends, from the Kirkcaldy group
have been busying themselves organising an evening of fun, ’Stars in Their
Eyes’, for Friday 28th March, 7:30-11:00pm, at the British Legion Club in
Crossgates. Tickets and programmes have already been produced. Tickets costing
£4.00 each. Drinks will be available to purchase at the club.
Sandwiches would be required for the evening. Jeanette suggested 18 loaves. Any
volunteers to tackle a loaf for the event, please contact Stella. MANY THANKS!
Also require bottles of wines/spirits (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) for the raffle.
Steering Groups
- Stella thanked all those who filled their questionnaire in and sent it to Dr. Wendy Simpson, who is to report on her findings at the next Child and Adolescent steering group meeting at the end of January.
- Subgroups have been set up to address individual services for children / adolescents.
- The Adult steering group, set up by Roseanne Fearon (Same As You), it is hoped, will amalgamate with the Careers Scotland ASD Forum, which was set up to address transition from school to Further Education / Employment etc. These groups are very much in their infancy.
Wednesday 29th January, 5:30pm. Dr.s Ken Aitken, Gordon Bell and John Marsh will be talking about ASDs and metabolic / biomedical issues/research.
Wednesday 12th February, at 5:30pm. A speaker is still to be arranged. If you
wish to attend, or require further details, please contact Kay Runciman at the
SSA on 01259 720044 to let her know.
Food Supplements Conference
This has been scheduled for 29th January at 1:00pm in the City Chambers, Edinburgh.
Action Against Autism
Contact Bill Welsh on 0141 638 2859 or e-mail: actagainstautism@aol.com
Presented a petition to the Scottish
Parliament today, calling for the setting up of a Medical Treatment
facility within a hospital in Scotland.
OASIS
Office for Advice, Assistance, Support and Information on Special Needs
Website: www.hesleygroup.co.uk. Helpline 09068 633201. Excellent leaflets, booklets
etc.
Lend-A-Hand (PALS Project Playschemes)
Opening new offices on Tuesday 29th January, 11am – 3pm. New address:- Hayfield
Place, Hayfield Industrial Estate, Kirkcaldy, KY2 5DH. Tel: 01592 642612 or 01383 730393.. Stella
will be popping along for a visit.
Enquire (Scotland)
The national advice service for Special Education Needs. Website: www.childreninscotland.org.uk/enquire.htm
Helpline: 0131 222 2400.
For information on disability discrimination visit the Disabled Rights Commission's site: www.drc-gb.org
Prof. Paul Shattock
Contact him at the Autism Research Unit, School of Health Sciences, University
of Sunderland, Sunderland. SR2 7EE or call 0191 510 8922
Dates for your Diaries
- Dad’s Evening, a popular request – to be arranged.
- Fundraising event -7th June - Stars in Their Eyes – organised by and to be held at Cowdenbeath Bowling Club. Details to be made available nearer the time.
- Watch out for more information on our sponsored Group walk in June.
News from November/December 2002
Marathon FundraiserStevie Carmichael’s mother Isabel and her friend Patricia Bateson, ran a ½ marathon recently, and raised approx. £650.00 for our group! The cheque is to be presented at a later date, as they continue to collect money from their sponsors. Our sincere thanks go to them, and we look forward to meeting with them in due course to thank them in person.
Fundraising Concert
This was a very successful venture, and was great fun. It proved an excellent way for families to get out and enjoy themselves. Perhaps we could look forward to organising other ‘entertainment’ evenings for families next year.
A total of £640.00 was raised, working out at £593.16 with expenses being taken into consideration. £150.00 was given to Fife Action on Autism, at Ann James’ request.
RARL
We are Still awaiting initial invoice from Fife Council Libraries Service. We
are to donate a further £500. Stella to meet up with Sally Joice to discuss
book selection. Interest in the RARL has been expressed by a Welsh organisation
/ other Scottish Regions / and CANADA!
Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health
Commissioned by the Scottish Executive to carry out a study of the prevalence
of, and services for, people with Learning Disabilities and / or ASDs in prison,
State Hospital, NHS secure in-patient settings, and secure accommodation for children.
This is in accordance with the Same As You report, published
in 2000.
PHAD and Fife Action on Autism will have some involvement with this.
A pro-forma will be distributed to these settings in January 2003 with detailed
case studies taking place in March - June 2003.
Social Work - Children Affected By Disability Theme
Group
The next meeting of this group will examine whether ASDs are a disability, or
not. It had been suggested at the previous meeting that, perhaps, ASDs were perhaps
a mental health issue, or indeed simply a problem with behaviour. Stella looks
forward to discussing this matter at their next meeting.
Training
Copies of the CETA training programme may be requested by contacting the SSA on
01259 720044. If any parent is interested in attending any of the courses they
should contact Stella or Sharon (01383 734216), as assistance with funding may
be available through the group.
Scottish Executive - ASD Reference Group
This is a group that has been reinstated, in connection with the Public Health
Institute in Scotland's ASD Needs Assessment Report (PHIS Report). The original
working group was disbanded. Stella has been nominated and invited to represent
users/carers. She will keep us updated on progress of the group.
Steering
Groups - PHIS Report
Fife has set up steering groups to examine existing services in Fife, as per recommendations
within the PHIS Report. It is intended to shape services in a collaborative fashion,
with the intention of services being delivered in a more effective way, with the
development of a consistent and more precise ‘Care Pathway’, from
cradle to the grave. A Public Health Scientist, Dr. Wendy Simpson, is carrying
out research/a study with the help of service users. Questionnaires will be sent
to all PHAD members to complete. Our input is crucially important, so as it may
be realised what has gone both well and not so well for us over the years. This,
in turn, will determine the shape of services in the future.
Both Stella and Ann James, from Fife Action on Autism, are putting together an
information pack, which will be available to families at the time of diagnosis.
Funding will be provided through the Change Fund in connection with the Same As
You; project, managed by Roseanne Fearon.
Fife ASD Steering Groups
The Children & Adolescent group continue to meet and await Dr. Wendy Simpson's
findings from her research / study, which includes findings from the questionnaire
recently sent to all PHAD family members. The information pack continues to be
produced.
The steering group addressing adult services had its inaugural meeting at the
end of October. It is intended that a seminar be organised for December, to try
to bring its progress up to the same level as the other steering group, so as
to work together at a later date addressing transitional issues. A similar information
pack for adults diagnosed will be created.
Stella recently met up with Alison Stevenson, Social Work, to discuss leisure
and recreational facilities, and holidays available to us. Alison will keep in
touch with progress on these matters.
Citizen's Rights Action Group (CRAG)
Stella has recently been nominated to Chair this short-life action group, which
has been set up to address the issues and concerns regarding the registration
of some group homes as Care Homes, and the impact on the service user -
whose quality of life would radically change, as a result.
University of Strathclyde course team:
Stella is now officially a member of this team, receiving her first contract for
the coming year, and looks forward to contributing in whatever way she can.
Discussion about Shared Successes
at our last Dunfermline Meeting
Appreciate the smiles and happiness / Eating at table with the family / Best experiences
as a child - diving off the top diving board, 5m high / Playing with their child
- enjoying making them happy / Watching how loving baby sitter is, and selecting
toys & dolls for Christmas / Successes at high school. Son doing really well
with tests and a scribe. Being able to do up his tie / Started nursery behaving
a lot better. Going to Edinburgh for shoes, no buggy being used for the first
time, and held mum's hand for the first time walking around the City! / Clothes
being put on correctly and independently for the first time. Zips mastered! /
Lots of successes every day. Primary 1 impact on auxiliaries who still keep in
contact with son and family. At Beavers, everyone gone out of their way to accommodate
- where son was described as being cool. Added benefits are parents learn
more about themselves and don't take their child's milestones for granted / Accepting
their child as her is, and loving everything about him / Son gone by himself from
school gate to class. Swimming: used to be terrified, now jumps in, dives and
swims confidently.
What Celebrations!!