A year of progress for Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks has now raised over £1m of new funds for autism research, from a mix of fundraising activities, grants from trusts and foundations, and private donations.
This is in addition to the grant of £1.5m from The Shirley Foundation, which covers the charity’s costs until 2012. This is important, because it means that every penny of your donation goes directly
towards autism research, rather than towards the cost of the charity.
Hilary Gilfoy, Chief Executive of Autism Speaks UK said: ”The charity was only established less than 4 years ago and reaching this important milestone is a measure of our success in communicating the importance of our work to the wider world. However we still have a long way to go - Cancer Research UK collects around a million pounds a day”
A remarkable corporate donation of £200,000 was made to Autism Speaks in June. This gift was timely, as it will enable Autism Speaks to fund an exciting new project - the Brain Bank for Autism - at the University of Oxford. We are
extremely indebted to our donor for making this initiative possible.
The Brain Bank for Autism is seeking to collect post-mortem brains, so that our finest scientists in brain tissue research can start look at how the autistic brain differs from the neurotypical brain. Such ground breaking research could really make a difference in seeking new ideas for interventions and treatments in the future.
For more information about this initiative, please call the dedicated helpline on
0800 089 0707 or visit www.brainbankforautism.org.uk
In August, the Freemasons’ Grand Charity made a gift of £40,000, which we are delighted to announce will part-fund a new fellowship in autism research at Cardiff University. The fellow will work alongside a new chair of autism research currently being
appointed in the School of Psychology. The new
appointees will undertake internationally significant research into autism using the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre.
Autism Speaks is committed to seeking further funds for new fellowships to encourage and enable young scientists to make a career in autism
research.
BASIS - The British Autism Study of Infant Siblings
Autism Speaks is pleased to
have helped to fund this new
collaborative research network, launched in May. BASIS
scientists will investigate whether there are any
differences in development between infants who have brothers or sisters with autism and those who do not. In the long term, this will help identify the early signs of the disorder allowing for earlier and more effective intervention aimed at improving the quality of life of children with autism.
Centres included in this collaboration include Birkbeck, University of London, Institute of Child Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Cambridge
University, Oxford University, and University of Manchester.
Janis Fernandes on 020 7079 0761 or email info@basisnetwork.org
Join us at the Walk for Autism Research
Swinley Forest, Bracknell, Berkshire
Join us for an autumnal sponsored woodland walk at Swinley Forest, Bracknell in Berkshire and help us raise funds for autism
research Bring your family, friends, even your dog (on a lead) to join our family fun day out and enjoy a walk through one of Bracknell’s prettiest forests.
Choose your own walk – 1 mile, 4 or 5 miles. Hire a bike if you prefer to ride.
Refreshments, picnic area, playground
facilities are all available. Walkers are
encouraged to register beforehand and raise sponsorship. Every walker who raises money will receive a medal!
The colours of the forest leaves are always at their best in the autumn, gather your family, friends and colleagues together – why not make up a team and join us for a memorable day out.
We are also looking for volunteers to come along on the day and help with registration, car parking etc. If you are interested in
joining our band of volunteers - please get in touch with Lynn.
For a registration form, please contact Lynn Hart on 01491 411569 or lynn.hart@autismspeaks.org.uk
Talk by Dame Stephanie Shirley ‘An Unusual tale of Rags to Riches’
1st December at the Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames
Autism Speaks UK founder, Dame Stephanie will tell her personal story of her youth, business years and philanthropy. The theme revolves round the idea that there’s no such thing as altruism; it’s all a matter of give and take.
To book, call the Kenton Theatre on 01491 575698
A rare opportunity to meet Jim Simons Founder of Renaissance Technologies
Monday October 6th.
Join us for this exclusive evening reception in aid of Autism Speaks.
Jim Simons, hedge fund manager extraordinaire and sponsor of autism research through the Simons
Foundation is our guest of honour and keynote
speaker.
Places are available for a minimum donation of £500.
Please contact Nicole Haworth on 01491 412311 or at nicole.haworth@autismpeaks.org.uk
In Kirsty's words
My pregnancy has been problem free and at the age of 29 I feel more than ready to take on the challenging role of parenthood and am
extremely excited about the future.
5th March 2002
I am the proud mother of a seemingly healthy baby boy. The minute baby Sam is placed in my arms I experience a surge of overwhelming love for him and an all consuming desire to protect this little boy - my son. I look down at my newborn and wonder what the future will hold, hoping that little Sam will always remain healthy and happy and fulfil the dreams and aspirations that I have for him.
December, 2002
I have sailed through the first 9 months as a new Parent, with very little sleep deprivation, due to a baby who seems disinterested in the expected constant demands he is supposed to pile on me. He falls asleep without the need for comfort from another person and between feeding and sleeping, is content. I can’t say he is ‘happy’ as he hasn’t seemed to grasp the concept of smiling.
January, 2003
Pay back time. I feel as if I have a demon child who has been walking and climbing for a month. He has started smacking other children, bangs his head on the floor, has no interest in communicating and still doesn’t smile.
September, 2003
It is obvious to me that my son’s behaviour is slightly odd, to put it mildly. Still not talking or smiling, still hitting other children at every opportunity, hyperactive and screaming one minute and very insular and in his own world the next.
I feel at the end of my tether, I don’t know how to help Sam or even how to control him for that matter. It is extremely difficult to communicate with him due to his lack of speech, which in turns makes Sam frustrated and aggressive. I have even been known to shut myself in the kitchen with the stair gate between us to stop Sam getting at me for 5 minutes; this in itself is distressing, as I feel I am failing Sam as a parent. Having done some research, I think Sam might be autistic.
September, 2004
After numerous visits to the health visitor and being told I’m an over-anxious parent, I finally get them to refer Sam to a paediatric consultant for an
assessment. Sam is now 2 ½ and I feel I am about to be given the answer to a no-win
situation: does my parenting leave a lot to be
desired or has my precious boy got a life long
disability? I can only wonder at what the
outcome of the assessment will mean for him, me and us as a family.
The morning of the first assessment passes typically like any other. I take Sam to the supermarket, where he tries to offer any child within reach, his standard greeting of a slap. Once outside he becomes distressed, because the road was messy with fallen acorns. Back at home, the mayhem continues; Sam screams as I vacuum - even though at other times he is so obsessed with the Hoover, than anyone could be mistaken for thinking it’s his best friend. When he calms, he goes on a mission of discovery and finds the chopsticks, which he subsequently tries to put down his throat. I have such an overwhelming feeling of isolation and am not sure how much longer I can cope with the loneliness I feel. At this stage in my son’s life, I should be rejoicing the character he is developing into. Instead I feel inadequate, knowing I cannot manage my own son’s behaviour.
October, 2004
I have an appointment with the multi- professional team who have been assessing Sam over the past 4 weeks. The paediatric consultant concludes that Sam has autism. I knew it was coming, but actually hearing the word “autism” has turned my world upside down. Sam will now be put on the waiting list for one-to-one help at nursery school, home teaching, speech therapy, family group and Earlybird Scheme. How long are these waiting lists?
In the meantime, I still have to try to find a way to cope with Sam and help him by myself. Maybe I was being unrealistic, but I did at least think that if Sam was diagnosed I wouldn’t be on my own anymore; it would seem I was wrong. In some ways I feel more alone, I have been told my child has a lifelong disability and yet come the end of the day there are no strategies in place to help him or me. Just a piece of paper telling me what I already knew.
December 2006
With a lot of determination with the authorities and patience with Sam, now 4 ½ , we are now in a more settled stage. Sam has improved greatly to the point that his speech is understandable, he no longer attacks other children (not much anyway) and his wonderful little character shines through. He is about to start full-time at a special needs school and I have enrolled for a university course in Autism Spectrum Disorders, to enable me to get a better understanding of Sam and ensure Sam gets all the services and support he is entitled to.
January 2008
I have passed the course!
Sam is a happy and healthy little boy and although, when one issue related to his autism ends another begins, I am able to deal with it. What is difficult to deal with though is the lack of understanding of others when I am out with my son. He has often been branded “naughty” when he cannot cope with the sensory overload in the supermarket and his honesty such as “why has that lady got a big bum” has nearly got me in trouble on many an occasion.
For this reason I decided to help set up a local Autism Speaks group in the hope that a better understanding of autism can be attained within the local community. Also, the more funds that can be raised for continuing research into autism, then the sooner researchers can pinpoint the exact causation of this disorder. Sam is actually involved in an Autism Speaks funded research project.
August 2008
By the time you have read this I will have just completed a tandem parachute jump. With an acute fear of heights, I am absolutely terrified - but I am determined to raise at least £1,000 for Autism Speaks to at least have made my discomfort worthwhile!
I am telling my story in the hope that you will make a donation to Autism Speaks. I believe that one day, Autism Speaks’ funded research will help Sam fulfil some of those dreams and aspirations I continue to hold dear for my beautiful son.
The Edinburgh Marathon
Simone Griffin is an Australian Speech and Language Therapist, based in London but en route to Canada where she will complete a PhD in Autism research. After committing herself to the Edinburgh marathon, she decided that her blood, sweat and tears should be worth something to someone. She asked a family she worked with what charity meant the most to them and would be worthy of raising money for – "Autism Speaks" was their reply. By coincidence, when she ran her first marathon in Australia, she raised money for Autism Speaks!
Simone has raised an incredible £769.82 for us so far and has also promised to run the Canadian Marathon for AS when she gets there! You are a star, Simone!
Loekie Wigmore’s Garden Party
Loekie Wigmore, organises an annual garden party and this year held it in aid of Autism Speaks. She opened her home for the day and
provided food and refreshments all day long - as well as organising arts and crafts, books, bric-a-brac, plants and a raffle! Phew! Loekie worked incredibly hard and thanks to her, as well as her many friends and family, raising a wonderful £700. Thank you Loekie!
BananaMan Brian doesn’t slip-up for Autism Speaks!
Brian Evans is semi-retired at 60, but he is clearly not a pipe and slippers man! He took part in the BananaMan Triathlon Challenge at Dorney Lake, Maidenhead in July to raise funds for Autism Speaks.
The BananaMan is over the ¾ triathlon distance comprising an 800m open water swim in the clear, clean waters of the rowing lake before taking to the closed, flat road circuit for a 6-lap bike course covering 30k. The final 7.5k run follows a 3 lap loop along the side of the rowing tank on the tarmac paths.
Brian’s brother is severely autistic and he had promised himself he would do something to help – and he did just that, raising an impressive £416. This is what he said after the event: “Please see picture of one knackered but extremely happy bunny finishing the BananaMan Triathlon. The 2 lap 800m swim went really well. The 6 lap 30k bike turned out that my family and I could not count to 6 resulting in doing an extra lap for my already tired legs. We all managed to count to 3 on the 3 lap run course and finished in 2hrs 18mins even with the extra lap.” Well done and a huge thank you Brian!
Adidas Women's Challenge
All of our ladies did a wonderful job on Sunday, 7th September - an enormous thank you to each and every one of them for all their hard work and effort.
Deepi Sekhon raised an amazing £2,895 and Louise Weekes raised over £400.
Very well done to you all.
Please support Autism Speaks. Visit our Just Giving page and donate what you can for research into autism spectrum disorders.
Autism Speaks – North Lea House, 66 Northfield End, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BE, UK
Telephone: 01491 412 311
Registered in England. Charity No: 1107350. Company No: 5184164