Articles and Speeches

Supporting Autistic Children
03-Nov-06, Windsor Express Article.

As parents, the health and happiness of our children is our primary concern and we want them to have the best educational opportunities available. So I was pleased to be invited to visit the Ascot-based parent’s organisation called PEACH (Parents for the Early Intervention of Autism in Children).

If bringing up a child is an all-consuming task, then raising a child with Autism is doubly so. Autism affects the way children communicate and relate to the world around them and can affect children to varying degrees. A mildly affected child may display difficulties forming relationships with others whilst a severely affected child may be unable to speak.

PEACH exist to lend support to parents, provide information and behavioural therapy for autism and to lobby government for a more scientific approach providing services. When NHS cuts are often focused on mental health services it is reassuring that local charities and voluntary organisations often take up the slack where the state falls short.

I am delighted that we have organisations like PEACH that work hard and campaign tirelessly for a better approach to dealing with autistic spectrum disorders. And as a parent, I welcome the work they do and encourage you to offer any support that you can.