The Autism Show

"The Autism Show is the first national event dedicated to autism for parents, carers, professionals and individuals on the spectrum.

The Autism Show has been launched for the estimated two million people in the UK who live and work with autism on a daily basis but all too often don’t know where to turn for answers. As we enter an era of austerity in public services, this need has never been greater.

Once inside the event, all content is free to access. Highlights include:

1-2-1 Clinics hosted by specialist professionals including Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Behaviour Analysts and Legal Advisors

Over 50 suppliers of products and services including learning tools, visual aids, sensory equipment, specialist furniture, residential care and education, specialist schools, and holiday providers

An in depth CPD certified conference programme including sessions on Transitions in Education, The Transition to Adolescence, Skills and Strategies when Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Demystifying ABA, Navigating the Statementing Process, Working with Autism and Autism in Higher Education

Practical based seminars offering a range of ideas and strategies which can be immediately implemented at home or in the work place

Insightful presentations from individuals on the autism spectrum

The Autism Show has also been specifically designed around the needs of visitors on the autism spectrum with fast track entry, extra wide aisles, high ceilings, dimmed lighting, clear signage, a sensory room and quiet room created by Mike Ayres Design.

At The Autism Show you can access more face to face advice, support and information on autism than anywhere else in the UK.

Book your tickets today and get connected at The Autism Show 2011!"

For tickets, please click here to visit the Autism Show website.

Our Summer Coffee Morning

This past Saturday was our Summer-themed Coffee Morning at the United Reformed Church!

We had a great time!

Here's our Branch Officer, Jayne, with our Autism information display:



Here we are, ready to open the coffee morning:



One of our volunteers, helping to run the tombola:



A beautiful cake baked and decorated by Joshua, one of our branch members' son, who has ASD:



Our incredibly yummy cake stall, including a delicious-looking coffee and walnut cake donated by Heils Bakery:



Our Summer-themed raffle prize table, including a beautiful hanging basket donated by Lound Garden Centre:



Our bric-a-brac stall:



Fundraising Officer Rachel was all ready to serve the refreshments:



And we're open!



Selling cakes ...



Guests having a cuppa and a chat:



We had a very enjoyable day, raising awareness of ASDs with our visitors, and we raised over £90 for our branch!

We had some cakes left over when the coffee morning closed at 2 pm, and so we packed up all the leftover cakes and cupcakes and donated them to the Fyffe Centre. They were very pleased with their treats!

Invitation to Annual General Meeting

Dear Branch Member,

You are warmly invited to our Annual General Meeting
In the Community Lounge at Benjamin Britten High School, Lowestoft
On Wednesday 29th June 2011 From 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

It has now been twelve months since our branch was re-launched with our new Branch Officer, and therefore it is time for our Annual General Meeting. At the AGM, we elect our Branch Officer, Treasurer and Secretary for the coming year. In addition to this, the AGM is also a useful forum for members to give their feedback on the social groups and autism-friendly events hosted by the branch, and to offer their ideas for improvements and new groups and events.

During the session, we will be presenting an overview of the groups and events that the Lowestoft & North Suffolk Branch has run over the past 12 months, and what we hope to continue with and add in the future. If you would like to be more involved with the branch activities, the AGM is a good opportunity to chat to the current committee members about what is involved. Any member is very welcome to join the committee and to attend our monthly committee meetings. It is not an onerous commitment – it may be that you would just like to contribute your ideas at the meetings, or perhaps help out at some of our events. If any member is interested in joining our committee in any capacity, please contact us, preferably by e-mail, as soon as possible for further information.

Although the AGM will have a formal agenda, in accordance with National Autistic Society guidelines, we hope that it will be an informative and enjoyable day, and hope that lots of you will be able to attend. After the formal business is finished, we would like to invite you to stay for a free hot buffet lunch, to chat to each other and to the committee members for half an hour or so.

We would be very grateful if you could let us know if you will be attending by the 22nd June so that we are able to arrange catering for the AGM. Please either email us on lowestoftnorthsuffolk@nas.org or by telephoning the branch mobile on 07798882583.

Any current committee members who are unable to make it to the AGM, please either write to the Branch Officer, or email on the above address to indicate whether or not you would like to remain on the committee, then your wishes can be noted at the meeting.


Yours faithfully

Jayne Page
Branch Officer