Autism West Midlands Professional’s Update June/July 2023

We are in full swing planning our summer program and are quickly getting back up to speed with the support we offer now that we have a full team. We are excited about our summer events and getting out and about to meet more of our Shropshire families.

Due to more demand for our online advice sessions, we have increased the available slots accordingly to accommodate more families in need of support. The online booking system is fully operational – link below. Professional colleagues in non-educational settings can also use these for practitioner consultations to help inform work with families, children and young people.

Venues needed!

We are keen to get back to offering more face-to-face autism specific workshop sessions for parents/carers and need suitable places around the county. We are looking for:

• space for approximately 8 adults (minimum) plus 2 members of staff
• basic facilities
• power and a wall to project presentations onto
• session duration is around 2.5 hours

If you/your setting would like to host us, please email Dawn Lewis dawnl@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

Feel free to share this page with families and colleagues – to be added to the professional’s email list please contact emmah@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

Round-up of information and events

Summer Program Overview

More information and booking on our events page: https://www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk/events/

Teen Events – Actio All In (ages 12-17)

• Monday 24th Jul - Bellevue Youth Club
• Monday 31st Jul - Bellevue Youth Club
• Friday 11th Aug - Blists Hill
• Thursday 17th Aug - SkyReach Telford and Exotic Zoo
• Mon 21st Aug - Bellevue Youth Club
• Thurs 31st Aug, 10-3 - Carding Mill Valley

AWM – Family Summer Events 2023

• 3rd Aug – Attingham Park Family Walk
• 10th Aug – Castle Gardens, Bridgnorth
• 14th Aug – Severn Valley Park
• 24th Aug – Discovery Centre Craven Arms

Book an online advice appointment with an Autism Specialist Advisor here…
WEEKLY Teams Advice slots – throughout the summer holiday

For those would like some online advice we are offering this virtually via video appointments. Teams works well on mobile phones. To book a 45 min advice appointment with a specialist autism advisor please book via our shop. If the dates/timings of our online advice appointments are not convenient for you, please contact us to make alternative arrangements – scroll down for details

https://shop.autismwestmidlands.org.uk/collections/events/products/copy-of-online-autism-advice-and-consultation-sessions-shropshire-county
IMPORTANT – WE EMAIL YOUR TEAMS LINK TO YOU THE WEEK BEFORE YOUR SLOT, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOUR INBOX INCLUDING SPAM/JUNK TO GET YOUR LINK

Virtual Support Group for Parents

Wednesday Mornings 10am-11am & Wednesday Evenings 8pm-9pm – 1st and 3rd Weds of each month (term time)

Our online support groups meet twice a month via Teams. This is an opportunity to talk with other parents, share ideas, and offer support. We recommend that you have attended an online advice appointment with a member of the team before joining group sessions (link above).

If you would like to join either of the support groups, please email the team here shropshire@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

Advice and support

We also offer advice and support over the phone and via email. Parents/carers and professionals can contact the team directly to arrange an appointment including face-to-face if preferable.

Shropshire office - 01952 454156
Weds, Thu, Fri - Emma Hegenbarth
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu - Dawn Lewis
Mon, Tue, Thu - Nicola King
Mon, Thu, Fri - Kerry McLafferty
Email shropshire@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

Helpline 0121 450 7575

Remember - No diagnosis is needed to access the AWM Shropshire service and there is no formal referral route – parents/carers can self-refer by booking an advice appointment or contacting us directly.