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Campaign changes focus to combat 'naughty' label still given to autistic children

Members at one of ChAPS popular animal therapy sessions <i>(Image: ChAPS)</i>
Members at one of ChAPS popular animal therapy sessions (Image: ChAPS)

AUTISTIC children are still labelled 'naughty' and their mums and dads 'bad parents' according to the boss of a support charity - but a campaign has been launched to reduce these stigmas around the condition.

Michelle Collard, the newly-appointed chief executive of Cheshire Autism Practical Support (ChAPS), is still shocked to see autistic children and their families misunderstood in this way.

Each year, World Autism Awareness Week has been held to give people a greater understanding of the development disability.

But in 2023, there is a new focus on acceptance to bring greater inclusivity for autistic people.

Ahead of the now World Autism Acceptance Week, which starts on Monday, March 27, Michelle said: "Often people with autism are very much misunderstood. It’s shocking that I still hear this today, but they’re labelled as a naughty child, and their parents as ‘bad parents’.

“Rather than calling it ‘awareness week’, there's been a movement towards calling it ‘acceptance week’ this time around.

“It’s about ensuring we’re fully inclusive of autistic individuals, whether that be in education, health, or the workplace, and within community settings as well."

ChAPS, which offers a huge range of services in Northwich for individuals with autism and their families, is fully behind the campaign.

Services on offer include social sessions such as ‘kidz clubs’, youth clubs, anti-gravity yoga, trampolining, horse riding, swimming, multi-sports sessions, animal therapy and gardening, all free from the kind of judgement families of autistic children and adults often encounter.

Service users and their families can also access training programmes, specialist workshops, counselling, mindfulness sessions, tickets for conferences, relaxed performances, signposting, support and advice, much of it included in their membership fee.

Michelle added: "One of the things we're pushing is seeing how we can support the local community to become more ‘autistic-friendly’.

"For example, there’s a huge amount of opportunity for local employers to support autistic individuals into the workplace.

"Just by making a few very simple, reasonable adjustments, they could have an employee who is the most dedicated, reliable, and focused employee they could possibly have, who will possibly outshine any other employee in that work environment.

"Also, a lot of members have real problems navigating health services, but there are very simple things healthcare providers can do – like allowing an autistic person to access the surgery by email – which can really reduce anxiety levels and give them a proper chance to access the same care as everyone else.”

ChAPS also run a non-judgemental café and sensory room that overlooks the River Weaver at their centre at Yarwoods Arm, in Navigation Road.

It is open to the public 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, has beautiful views, and all proceeds go to supporting autistic people and their families in Cheshire.

Michelle added: "We give individuals with autism and their families an opportunity to be listened to, to be encouraged, and be supported, which in turn enables them to be empowered.

"Parents have to use-up so much energy advocating for their child, and sometimes they don’t have the knowledge, the understanding, or the confidence to do that.

"By being supported through ChAPS, we give them the information and support they need to be able to do that, as well as allowing them to share their experiences in a safe and understanding environment."

In April, one ChAPS member, Chris Woolnough, is running the North Pole Marathon on behalf of ChAPS.

To read more about Chris’ challenge and to donate, please follow the link.