New autism support group launched

A MUCH-NEEDED support group for families of children with autism was launched in Santry last week.

The Snowflakes Autism Support group is the brainchild of a group of Northside parents of children with autism who realised the void experienced by families such as themselves.

What started off as a handful of families has now become a support group with over 120 families from all over Dublin.

Swords local Robert Browne, one of the founding members of Snowflakes Autism Support, explained how the idea came about.

“A group of us were brought together for a workshop run by the Early Intervention Centre and when that finished we thought to ourselves that we’d like to continue to meet and provide support for one another,

? he told Northside People.

“We held a public meeting for families of children with autism to see if there would be any interest.

“We thought that maybe 15 or 20 people would turn up but 60 or 70 people attended on the night, which was a good indication of how much a support group was needed.

“Since then we’ve organised a number of workshops, events and day outings which have been a huge success.

?

Swapping stories and sharing an understanding of the needs and complexities of children with autism has been a major source of support and comfort to the members.

Events enjoyed by the whole family, such as visits to the zoo or to a bowling alley, have also been a huge success.

According to Mr Browne whose four-year-old son was diagnosed with autism 18 months ago, families of children with autism often feel quite isolated.

“When our son was diagnosed our heads were spinning from an emotional point of view,

? he explained.

“We were bombarded with terminology and being given a diagnosis of autism and in the other hand being told that he would be fine.

“We’ve found from talking to so many other parents that many don’t know their entitlements, what the diagnosis means or even how to get their child diagnosed.

“That’s why it’s so important to have a support group so that parents have somewhere to turn to talk and get advice and information from people who know what it’s like to be in their situation.

?

He added:

“Also, you’re given this wide label of

‘autism’ yet every child with autism behaves differently and has different needs. That’s where the name for the support group came from because like snowflakes, no two children are the same.

?

The group’s patron, TV3 presenter Martin King, attended the launch along with Fingal Mayor Cllr Cian O’Callaghan (Lab).

For more information visit www.snowflakes.ie or call 01 5241544.