ASIAN WOMAN TO SPEARHEAD AUTISM PROJECT

The National Autistic Society (NAS) is to launch its London Black and Minority Ethnic Communities (BME) Project during Autism Awareness Week, 17 - 24 May. The charity has secured funding for three years from Bridge House Estates to employ Ammara Khan-Haque as Development Officer (BME communities) in its London Regional Team. Ammara's role will be to identify how the NAS can make contact with BME community groups across London to raise awareness of autism and the support services available. Ammara will work collaboratively with established support organisations that are already experienced in working with BME communities.

Autistic spectrum disorders affect an estimated 1% of the population, and therefore it can be estimated that there are likely to be around 17,500 families in London from black and minority ethnic communities affected by autism.

However, the NAS has found that the uptake of its services in the London area does not reflect the ethnic mix of the population. It is hoped that the new project, and the introduction of Language Line, a three way phone conference service which allows non-English speaking callers to access helpline support through interpreters in over 120 languages, will begin to address this deficit.

Carol Povey, NAS Regional Co-ordinator for London and the South East said:"We are delighted to welcome Ammara on board at the NAS, and to be able to take forward this project, which we believe will go some way to addressing the concerns around equality of access to services including diagnosis. The project is part of an NAS strategy to attract funding UK-wide to work with particularly disadvantaged groups."

The NAS would be pleased to hear from families from black and minority ethnic communities living in the Greater London area, who would like to discuss their experiences or simply hear more about this project. For further information please contact Ammara Khan-Haque on 0208 752 9610 or click on www.nas.org.uk

THE NATIONAL AUSTISTIC SOCIETY

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.

ABOUT AUSTIM & ASPERGERS SYNDROME

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.

AUSTISM AWARENESS WEEK

Autism Awareness Week 2004 will be held from 17-24 May. The focus will be on 'planning for life'. Autism is a lifelong disorder and we'll be looking at the position of ageing individuals with autism and their families and highlighting the issues faced during the many transition stages in life. The National Autistic Society (NAS) will be holding a number of exciting events around the UK during AAW 2004 including a conference, parliamentary reception, corporate fundraising challenge and regional awareness-raising activities.

NAS Autism Helpline 0845 070 4004. Opening hours 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday. Or click on www.nas.org.uk.

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