The Western Health Trust, working alongside Circle of Support (COS), is encouraging the North West public to go along to an Autism exhibition taking place in Derry tomorrow – World Autism Awareness Day 2014.
COS, Circle of Support is a local group which was set up by parents in 2011, to support families of children diagnosed or being assessed for ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder.
In celebration of World Autism Day 2014, the Western Health Trust joined forces with COS to highlight the services available that actively support families affected by autism by holding an autism exhibition.
The exhibition, being held in the Millennium Forum from 11.00am – 4.00pm, will feature guest speakers and short presentations, promoting community awareness of the needs of children, young people and service users with autism.
Members of the public will get the chance to speak face-to-face with qualified staff about the local support available here.
Trevor Millar, Director of Adult Mental Health and Learning Disability Services, said Autism Spectrum Disorder was becoming an increasingly common condition that affected everyone differently.
He added: “Through our developing service we aim to provide the highest degree of care and support possible to children and adults with ASD and also their families.”
Mr Millar said the Trust was currently working with regional colleagues and the Department of Health to take forward the recently launched Autism Strategy 2013-2020 and Action Plan 2013-2016 in partnership with all government departments.
He added: “We are fully committed to working with all voluntary and statutory agencies to promote and develop appropriate social, leisure, educational and employment opportunities for children, young people and service users with Autism Spectrum Disorder at a local level.”
Ann McDuff, Assistant Director, Community and Public Health said they were delighted to be supporting and working alongside COS Circle of Support and WELB in raising community awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder, through such multi-agency events.
She added: “I would encourage the public to come along to the autism exhibition being held on World Autism Day to listen to the guest speakers and speak face-to-face with qualified staff about the local support available here in the West.”
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