Type of service: Family support and information services

Autism Bedfordshire offers a wide range of help and services: a library of 700 books, videos and resources for members to loan via the office and offsite; a telephone helpline providing information on all aspects of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), details of services throughout Bedfordshire and Luton and of advisory agencies throughout the United Kingdom (UK); 'Pathway' a monthly newsletter containing a wide range of information to keep people up to date; Inquiry, New Member and Initial Diagnosis information packs distributed free of charge; a summer activity scheme running for 6 weeks per year in 2 bases providing over 2,500 hours of respite care to families; Loads of Autistic Fun (LOAF) a Saturday morning activity and social group for the whole family, including support for siblings and carers; Wanted Fun a social group for individuals with Asperger syndrome aged 10-17 meeting once a month for shared interests such as art and listening to music; membership consultation taking place via a formal document in order to review the organisation's 3 year plan; and development and liaison with statutory bodies and agencies in Bedfordshire and Luton promoting autism specific services and raising autism awareness. Autism Bedfordshire is also developing its' adult services. Currently we run social groups for adults on the spectrum, and employment support projects; Autism Bedfordshire also provides specialist autism awareness training to professionals and also have training events throughout the year for parents, carers, and professionals.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Adult , Child , Parent/carer of a child, Parent/carer of an adult, Young person

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific