Cookstown Autism Support Group Offers “Safe Space” Following Diagnosis

Following her daughter Poppy’s autism diagnosis, Pamela Baxter’s family initially experienced a sense of isolation. She stated, “We just felt like there was nowhere for us to go socially or things like that, where Poppy and I felt comfortable, certainly not where we lived.” In response, Pamela established a group in Cookstown, County Tyrone, specifically for children with autism and their families. This initiative has now been selected as a recipient of BBC Children in Need’s Big Sky grant programme, which provides support for its operational expenses and activities. Pamela commented, “It’s been four years now and it’s been amazing, it’s primarily a social space for kids to enhance their socials skills and have fun with everything from dance to arts and sports.” She added, “But it’s really become a safe space for parents to share their stories and rely on each other as well.” Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a collection of conditions impacting an individual’s communication, interaction with their environment, interests, and behaviour. Lesley, a parent attending AUsome Kids, described the group as a “safe haven” for herself and her daughter Lilly-Jane. She explained, “Before we just found that a lot of places can be overwhelming for Lilly-Jane, too much noise, too many crowds, but she feels so comfortable at AUsome Kids, there’s no pressure on her.” Lesley further stated, “There can be a lot of doubt and uncertainty when your child receives a diagnosis, so to get relate to other parents going through the same journey, there’s no judgement, it just means a lot.” Cathal and his son Ruairí have participated in the group’s activities for several years. Cathal remarked, “It’s been a game-changer for Ruairí, whenever he is in this environment, he becomes so upbeat and that carries through for a few days.” He added, “So as a parent that it is just amazing to see, it has helped our son so much.”” Pamela explained that the group was initiated “to try and stop other parents feeling that loneliness that I did at the start.” She concluded, “Having other parents around you means that if you’re having a bad day or a bad week, no one is going to judge you, we’re here for each other.” A dedicated program showcasing local fundraising narratives and key moments from the Children in Need Appeal Show is scheduled to broadcast on Saturday 16 November at 15:55 GMT on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer. Additional details regarding BBC Children in Need and participation opportunities are accessible at bbc.co.uk/pudsey. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Information on their approach to external linking is available.