MWBAS invites new Longford members this Autism Awareness Week

This week is Autism Awareness Week and businesses and organisations across the county are planning big events to raise awareness.

Longford's own MWB Autism Support group is eager to ensure those looking for support are very welcome to join them for a range of activities and meetings. MWB stands for Midlands West and Border and that's where families who get involved with the group come from.

The group celebrated its 11th birthday last year and saw out their anniversary year with a very successful and well-attended Christmas party in the Longford Arms Hotel. After some initial concern that the man himself wouldn't be able to attend with Prancer and Vixen going lame in Drumlish, everything worked out after a night's rest up on Cairn Hill on McNally's farm and with the help of a local vet.

The group started the 11th anniversary year off with a trip to Megabowl Longford, with bowling for the older members and soft play for the younger ones. Due to inclement weather, there were no events in February but they were back on the go in March with a wide range of activities throughout the month.

There was a change of venue as the group headed to Roscommon and Sensory Me, where both children and adults had a very relaxing experience. April saw the group head further north to do indoor go-karting in Carrick-on-Shannon, while May saw them heading west on a return trip to Sensory Me for those who missed it the first time.

June had the group back in the midst of the rolling midlands at the funfair in Pierce Park, Longford. A brilliant time was had by young and old alike as they enjoyed the outdoor event on a beautiful sunny day. And it was back to bowling in July as the group headed to lovely Leitrim where they went to Mulvey's play centre with bowling for the older members and multi-story soft play for the younger ones.

The big annual trip in August was postponed to September but it was well worth the wait as the group set sail one Saturday on a packed Farrelly's 'ship' to Funtasia in Drogheda. This was an adventurous trip with an amazing water world experience as well as other activities for the land lubbers. An unforgettable time was had by all.

October came around so quickly and the AGM for the start of the groups 12th year supporting families in the MWB area took place.Even with all of that going on, the group still managed a trip to Upsie Daisies in Roscommon and squeezed in a wee bit of craic before the AGM and planning for 2019 started up, prioritising their hopes and aspirations as the group moved onwards and upwards to infinity and beyond.

In November, there was a trip to Longford cinema where members enjoyed watching The Grinch - the film was a reminder that there is hope for us all. MWBAS supports families with members who have ASD as well as adult individuals on the spectrum. Support meetings are held every month in the mornings and evenings and new members are always welcome to come along.

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As a parent-led and run support group, MWBAS are critically aware of the fact that the spectrum covers such a wide degree of the disorder and that everyone is an individual. MWBAS tries to cater for everyone's needs insofar as is possible and the group is always open to suggestions for new ideas or activities.

Water activities are very popular with individuals with ASD so the group has had monthly swimming sessions throughout 2018.
Education and training is a very critical part of the group's way of thinking as in education there is power. The group either pays in full or at a subsidised rate for members to attend conferences or educational seminars.

Having guest speakers is a great way to enlighten parents, tutors and members of the public and the group is very privileged to have Adam Harris from ASIAM come to Longford recently to give insight into what it's like living with Autism from the inside out.

All this would not be possible without the help of the general public in the area and MWBAS would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has helped with fundraising in 2018 - especially church gate collections - as well as every year since the groups foundation.‘Ní neart go cur le cheile’. No strength unless we work together.

For more information on MWB Autism Support, contact Michael Bryson on 087 9877342, email mwbautismchair1@gmail.com or info@mwbautism.ie. You can also find information on Facebook @MWBAutismSupport or by looking on the group's website, www.mwbautism.ie.